Male Athlete of the Week: Naomas Asuega-Fualaau, Kaimuki football
Last Friday's 28-26 win over Roosevelt served as a bounce-back victory for both Naomas Asuega-Fualaau and the Kaimuki football team.

Asuega-Fualaau, a 6-foot-1, 220-pound senior running back carried the ball a career-high 39 times for 116 yards and two touchdowns to help the Bulldogs pull even with the Rough Riders for second place in the Oahu Interscholastic Association Division II standings with the win on homecoming night.

While it was far from his career-best in rushing yards (220 vs. Kaiser last season), Asuega-Fualaau played a pivotal role in Kaimuki's offensive game plan of holding on to the football and eating clock.

"He was huge, it was huge for us," Bulldogs fifth-year coach David Tautofi said. "He's a workhorse already, but we've never been really able to feed him the ball as many times as we wanted to. Naomas is fit for that, he's one of those kids that you need to feed him to get the best of him and he doesn't tire — he wears defenses down with his physicality and his ability as a running back."

Asuega-Fualaau's first trip to the end zone Friday was a 2-yard run that tied the score at 7 a few minutes into the second quarter.

"We got a few big plays by some of our receivers and then Naomas was able to take it in for the score, but by that time we knew that Roosevelt was already tired and worn down, so Naomas pretty much went in untouched going into the end zone," Tautofi recalled.

Less than two minutes later, Asuega-Fualaau recycled teammate Avin Tanioka's interception into a 21-yard TD scamper that included a few busted tackles.

"That was one of those routine plays where we try to get five yards and anything more than that is a bonus, but he broke a few tackles and you could just tell that he wanted it more and he took it to the house," Tautofi said. "That's the other thing that makes Naomas a different kind of running back, he makes a lot of things out of nothing."

Asuega-Fualaau has also played both defensive end and safety on defense, but has seen his time on that side of the ball cut down as a means of preservation.

"We didn't really tell Naomas what the game plan was (against Roosevelt), what we really tried to do was just to try and keep him healthy," Tautofi said.

Asuega-Fualaau was out of the Bulldogs' win over Nanakuli on Sept. 7 and came back the following week for a key matchup against Kaiser. However, he was held to a season-low 43 yards on 17 carries by the Cougars, who came away with the 45-31 win.

"He was just kind of out of sync and he wasn't practicing as much as he normally does just from illness and then an injury he was trying to overcome, so really we've been trying to focus on him trying to get healthy," Tautofi said. "(Against Roosevelt) you could just tell that he's asking for that ball more often and he really almost tripled that per-game average of carries, but that's what also makes him special is he'll do his job and whatever is given to him he will do the best job he can, but he doesn't want to hog the ball. He's just about staying quiet, keeping his head down and working his butt off."

Tautofi said that Asuega-Fualaau showed little to no signs of fatigue as the game wore on Friday.

"His consistency really impressed me the most. He didn't seem to be running any different than he was in the beginning of the game than in the end of the game. He ran the same in the first quarter to the last few minutes," Tautofi said.

Part of that can be traced to the work that Asuega-Fualaau put into strength training in the offseason.

"He definitely bulked up, but it's been really good weight for him," Tautofi said.

That's not the only area in which Asuega-Fualaau has grown over the course of his three-plus varsity seasons (he was called up to the varsity as a freshman after the completion of the JV season).

"I think he's made the most improvements in just his level of confidence in his approach and it's just great to see what he brings to the table from when he first got here to now. We saw him grow last year and take huge strides maturity-wise and all of those pieces have come together to make him the player he is, but it's no secret why he's like this, his work ethic has gotten better every year," Tautofi said.

Asuega-Fualaau is a dual-sport athlete for the Bulldogs, as has also been a member of the school's wrestling team since his freshman year, which has also served him well.

"I can't really pinpoint the benefits of wrestling, but what I do know is that wrestling has a big influence on Naomas as an overall athlete," Tautofi said. "Just as much as football does for any athlete, it takes a lot of mental toughness and emotional stability in an individual sport like wrestling and then being able to transition that to football, so he's worked hard to be success in wrestling and he's also worked hard to be successful in football."

Tautofi said the win over the Rough Riders was a crucial one, to be sure, for both Asuega-Fualaau and the rest of the team.

"It was a good indication of the boys and the week that they had in practice and it kind of shows where Naomas's mind was that week. He took that loss against Kaiser the hardest of anybody on the team, so I knew how much it meant to him and how much it was going to mean to him the following week," Tautofi said. "He was on a mission that night. We had a few penalties that called some of his yards back, but he didn't stop, he continued to work and he came through in the parts of the game that we needed him to come through."

Asuega-Fualaau has rushed for 706 yards and eight TDs this season. He and the Bulldogs (5-2 overall, 4-1 league) will visit Pearl City Friday night before wrapping up the regular season against McKinley and Kalani in the weeks to follow.

Female Athlete of the Week: ShayAnn Hoohuli, Nanakuli volleyball
The Nanakuli girls volleyball team picked up a couple of pivotal wins in league play last week and right in the thick of it was ShayAnn Hoohuli.

Hoohuli, a 5-foot-8 senior outside hitter, posted double-digit kills to lead the Golden Hawks in sweeps over Leilehua and Radford on Monday and Wednesday, respectively. Her 12 kills against the Mules were a season-high for Hoohuli, who also chipped in with six digs, one block assist and a service ace.

"I think her hitting was very consistent," Nanakuli coach Junius Wong said of Hoohuli, a third-year starter. "I think she was able to see the block better than game. I think she just was playing with more confidence and I think our passing was really stabilized so that we were able to run a different variety of plays with her."

Wong noted that Hoohuli played a key role in the end game of sets 1 and 3, which his team won 27-26 and 26-24, respectively.

"I think she ended the first set with a kill — that's how we won the first set — and the third set she was serving at the end to get us game point and match point," Wong said. "The teams follows her lead pretty good and she's a good leader on the court, she has high energy almost all the time and she definitely factored into closing out those sets."

Hoohuli followed that performance up with a 10-kill, five-dig effort against the Rams two nights later.

"I think last week was really crucial against Leilehua and Radford — for all three teams actually — so us coming up with two wins pretty much locked up a playoff birth for us," Wong said, whose team currently sits in sixth place in the Oahu Interscholastic Association Division I West standings.

The top six (out of seven) teams in the division quality for the league's postseason tournament.

"I think our team is ready to compete. They've been working hard all summer and hopefully that pays off in the playoffs," Wong said. "I have a good bunch of girls and I just want the season to continue as much as they want it."

Hoohuli, one of two team captains along with senior libero Kaanela Pae, has provided much of the leadership that Wong hoped she would. After playing mostly middle blocker in her first two varsity seasons, Hoohuli has thrived as a pin hitter this season.

"One thing that she's always had is a fire to play at a high level, whether we move her to the middle or right side or outside for certain situations, just her being on the court and being a leader is something that she's worked hard on and she add a different presence when she's on the court," Wong said. "Both ShayAnn and Kaanela have been doing a great job preparing this team for their season year."

Hoohuli's on-court communication has served her and her teammates well, Wong explained.

"I think her defense has improved a lot, not just her blocking but her having to play more back court than just one serving rotation as a middle has improved her game a lot and she always talks about that when she talked to the team about how we need to make sure our block is positioned correctly so that our defense can line up around it and she's really good at communicating that to the rest of the team," Wong said.

Hoohuli's background as a middle blocker — as well as some spot duty at opposite in the past — has helped to make her a more knowledgeable and better all-around player.

"I think it definitely helps us with double-blocking with our middles because having someone that has good knowledge of how to position her hands already is one less thing that we have to teach her," Wong said. "This is the first time that I've had her play more outside, but because we have a few other middles that moved up from JV and White, we're able to move her outside and it just gives us a better option outside as well."

On the season, Hoohuli has recorded 58 kills, 27 digs, seven block assists, seven aces and one solo block. Wong says her value to the team goes beyond the numbers, however.

"I feel like they understand that she may not be our best player overall, but she's our best player in terms of our front court presence and that's kind of where they feed off of her ability to lead the team," Wong said. "She's always talking to them about how they can correct themselves and get better without me having to talk about it."

Wong said that Hoohuli also played softball growing up, but decided to focus on volleyball after her freshman year of high school. Her network of friends, however, knows no bounds.

"We don't really have a cheerleading squad here at Nanakuli, so for homecoming (football game) last year our volleyball program did it and she was one of the them that was like, ‘Let's go do it, let's go support the boys,' so she spearheaded it and we're doing it again this year," Wong said. "She's just a very bubbly kid with a nice personality that wants to do anything and everything and she's part of a great bunch of kids that I have."

Hoohuli put down 12 kills with one dig and an ace in a four-set loss at Pearl City Monday night. She and the Golden Hawks (3-5) will visit Waipahu Wednesday then have a bye Monday, before concluding the regular season against Waialua next Wednesday.

FOOTBALL
Shaden Abejon, Keaau — Intercepted two passes and had one tackle in a win over Honokaa

Jonan Aina-Chaves, Campbell — Rushed 21 times for 150 yards and a touchdown in a win over Waianae

Laa Asuega-Stark, Baldwin — Threw for 263 yards and two touchdowns on 12-of-24 passing with one interception and rushed for another score in a win over Kekaulike

Helmut Baschleben Finau, Kekaulike — Scored on a 64-yard fumble return in a loss to Baldwin

Kaisten Cardin-Kiaha, Kailua — Had five tackles, including one for a loss, intercepted two passes and returned one for a 32-yard touchdown in a win over Aiea

Izayah Chartrand-Penera, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Caught three passes for 96 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Kohala

Antone Cootey, Honokaa — Had eight tackles, including three for losses, with one sack, one interception and two pass break-ups in a loss to Keaau

Sedric Crawford, Nanakuli — Threw for 96 yards and three touchdowns on 10-of-13 passing with one interception and rushed 14 times for 97 yards and another score in a win over McKinley

Jayden de Laura, Saint Louis — Threw for 405 yards and two touchdowns on 34-of-40 passing without an interception in a win over Punahou

Dacyres Domingo, Moanalua — Caught four passes for 115 yards and a touchdown in a win over Waipahu

Koa Eldredge, Punahou — Caught 14 passes for 112 yards and a touchdown in a loss to Saint Louis

Kala Estocado-Matthews, Castle — Had 157 all-purpose yards and one receiving touchdown in a loss to Leilehua

Ezra Evaimalo, Kamehameha — Had 3 1/2 tackles for losses, including two sacks, a pass break-up and scored on a 5-yard fumble return in a win over Farrington

Alfred Failauga, Waipahu — Rushed 26 times for 188 yards and two touchdowns in a loss to Moanalua

Cameron Friel, Kailua — Threw for 175 yards and four touchdowns on 8-of-13 passing without an interception in a win over Aiea

Titus Fuiava, Waialua — Had 9 1/2 tackles and a pass break-up in a loss to Kaiser

Alakai Gilman, Punahou — Had 8 1/2 tackles and two fumble recoveries in a loss to Saint Louis

Tahj Hauhio, Nanakuli — Rushed 32 times for 226 yards and a touchdown in a win over McKinley

Brock Hedani, Iolani — Rushed 16 times for 103 yards with a touchdown and caught a TD pass in a win over Damien

Nicholas Herbig, Saint Louis — Had seven tackles, including one for a loss, recovered a fumble and broke up a pass in a win over Punahou

Blaine Hipa, Campbell — Threw for 276 yards and four touchdowns on 18-of-29 passing with two interceptions and rushed nine times for 65 yards and another score in a win over Waianae

RJ Javar, Moanalua — Threw for 416 yards and four touchdowns on 27-of-42 passing with an interception in a win over Waipahu

Kaulana Kaluna, Kaimuki — Caught six passes for 93 yards with a touchdown and had two tackles for loss, including one sack, in a win over Roosevelt

Kapena Kamai, Baldwin — Caught six passes for 122 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Kekaulike

Trevor Kan, Iolani — Had 8 1/2 tackles, forced a fumble and scored on a 48-yard interception return in a win over Damien

Luke Kaniho, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Had six tackles, four for losses, including 2 1/2 sacks, and a fumble recovery in a win over Kohala

Keanu Keaolanui, Hilo — Made field goals of 27, 34 and 25 yards kicked four PATs in a win over Konawaena

Shepherd Kekahuna, Roosevelt — Scored on an 89-yard kickoff return in a loss to Kaimuki

Kilohana Lacanilao, Kaiser — Rushed 13 times for 109 yards in a win over Waialua

Tobey Lau, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Scored on a 22-yard fumble return in a win over Kohala

Logan Lauti, Waipahu — Scored on a 10-yard interception return and broke up another pass in a loss to Moanalua

Cavin Lime, Kaiser — Rushed for two touchdowns, had one sack, recovered a fumble and broke-up a pass in a win over Waialua

Jayden Maiava, Kaimuki — Threw for 217 yards and two touchdowns on 15-of-24 passing without an interception in a win over Roosevelt

Zealand Matagi, Kahuku — Rushed 16 times for 201 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Kapolei

Legend Matautia, Punahou — Had 6 1/2 tackles, including one sack, forced a fumble and blocked a punt in a loss to Saint Louis

Sheldon McLeod, Waianae — Threw for 147 yards and three touchdowns on 13-of-25 passing and rushed three times for 54 yards and another score in a loss to Campbell

Raymond Millare, Farrington — Rushed 21 times for 116 yards and a touchdown in loss to Kamehameha

Koby Moananu, Kaimuki — Caught five passes for 87 yards with a touchdown and intercepted two passes in a win over Roosevelt

Titus Mokiao-Atimalala, Campbell — Caught five passes for 135 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Waianae

Jarvis Natividad, Damien — Caught 10 passes for 113 yards and a touchdown in a loss to Iolani

Koali Nishigaya, Saint Louis — Had 107 all-purpose yards and rushed for two second-half touchdowns in a win over Punahou

Justin Pascua, Honokaa — Rushed six times for 115 yards and a touchdown in a loss to Keaau

Tomasi Pasi, Kahuku — Scored on a 63-yard interception return in a win over Kapolei

Meki Pei, Iolani — Had 8 1/2 tackles, including two for losses and one sack, in a win over Damien

Alvin Quisquirin-Sabagala, Waianae — Rushed 29 times for 137 yards in a loss to Campbell

Samson Rasay, Kailua — Rushed seven times for 102 yards and a touchdown in a win over Aiea

Tre Rickard, Lahainaluna — Scored on an 84-yard kickoff return in a win over Maui

John-Keawe Sagapolutele, Punahou — Threw for 245 yards and a touchdown on 27-of-43 passing without an interception in a loss to Saint Louis

Spencer Salcedo, Kamehameha — Had two sacks in a win over Farrington

Micah Shikada, Iolani — Had nine tackles, including one for loss in a win over Damien

Lyle Silva, Hilo — Rushed 23 times for 102 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Konawaena

Dylan Soberano, Aiea — Caught six passes for 104 yards and a touchdown in a loss to Kailua

Apearamo Sulu, Damien — Rushed 28 times for 234 yards and a touchdown in a loss to Iolani

Matthew Sykes, Saint Louis — Caught nine passes for 131 yards in a win over Punahou

Tevarua Tafiti, Punahou — Had 4 1/2 tackles, including two for losses, one sack, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery in a loss to Saint Louis

Alan Talanoa, Kahuku — Had four tackles, including three sacks, in a win over Kapolei

Davon Tauai, Aiea — Had eight tackles, including two for losses, and broke up a pass in a loss to Kailua

Vincent Terrell, Punahou — Had 178 all-purpose yards and scored on a 94-yard kickoff return in a loss to Saint Louis

Joshua Tihada, Lahainaluna — Rushed 10 times for 76 yards and three touchdowns in a win over Maui

Kekoa Torres, Nanakuli — Caught two touchdown passes and rushed for another in a win over McKinley

Kekoa Turangan, Leilehua — Threw for 221 yards and three touchdowns on 17-of-23 passing in a win over Castle

Jamil Vereen, Leilehua — Rushed 14 times for 143 yards and a touchdown in a win over Castle

Roman Wilson, Saint Louis — Caught 11 passes for 190 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Punahou

Samuel Wirtz, Waialua — Had eight tackles, a fumble recovery and a pass break-up in a loss to Kaiser

Jansen York, Moanalua — Caught 10 passes for 177 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Waipahu

Mason Yoshino, Kaiser — Caught five passes for 109 yards in a win over Waialua

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
Kailana Andrade, Kapolei — Had 13 kills, three digs, three block assists and one solo block in a five-set loss to Mililani

Falanika Danielson, Mililani — Had 14 kills, one ace and an assist in a five-set win over Kapolei

Kiara Hussey, Waianae — Had 13 digs, one kill, one ace and an assist in a three-set win over Waialua

Jahnay Jardin, Waianae — Had 12 kills, one dig and an ace in a three-set win over Waialua

Gennezia Hawkins, Le Jardin — Had 10 kills and five digs in a two-set win over Hawaii Baptist

Izabelle Izzi, Waianae — Had 30 assists, two digs and two block assists in a three-set win over Waialua

Alexis Kepa, Kapolei — Had 43 assists, five digs, two block assists and one kill in a five-set loss to Mililani and had 33 assists, nine digs and two aces in a four-set win over Aiea

Shania Kepoo-Caspino, Waianae — Had eight kills, nine digs and five aces in a three-set win over Waialua

Daisylyn Laulu, Nanakuli — Had 34 assists, four digs, one kill and one block assist in a three-set win over Leilehua

Kassia Lee, Aiea — Had 15 digs and two assists in a four-set loss to Kapolei

Oriana Levasa, Kapolei — Had 19 digs, two kills and one ace in a five-set loss to Mililani

Kawehi Marinas, Kapolei — Had 12 kills, 19 digs, two block assists, one solo block and an ace in a five-set loss to Mililani and had 10 digs, seven kills, two aces, one solo block, one block assist and one assist in a four-set win over Aiea

Aria Miller, Mililani — Had 17 kills, four aces and two digs in a five-set win over Kapolei

Aysia Miller, Mililani — Had 31 assists, six kills, three digs and a block assist in a five-set win over Kapolei

Kelsie Nakashima, Aiea — Had 20 assists, nine digs, two aces and one kill in a three-set win over Waipahu and had 29 assists, nine digs, four kills and one block assist in a four-set loss to Kapolei

Ayanna Nunuha, Kapolei — Had 31 digs, two kills and one ace in a five-set loss to Mililani and had 12 digs and three assists in a four-set win over Aiea

Kaanela Pae, Leilehua — Had 12 digs, one assist and an ace in a three-set win over Nanakuli and had 12 digs and an ace in a three-set win over Radford

Moanikeala Paz-Powell, Nanakuli — Had 13 kills, one dig and a block assist in a three-set win over Leilehua

Teia Piette, Le Jardin — Had 15 digs and an assist in a two-set win over Hawaii Baptist

Savannah Pilialoha, Waipahu — Had 10 kills in a three-set loss to Aiea

Toodie Sopi, Kapolei — Had 12 kills, 16 digs, three aces, three block assists and one solo block in a five-set loss to Mililani and had 10 kills, nine digs, three block assists, two aces, one assist and a solo block in a four-set win over Aiea

Precious Tauanuu, Aiea — Had 15 kills, 12 digs, three assists, one ace and a block assist in a four-set loss to Kapolei

Nive Tuileta, Le Jardin — Had 22 assists, 12 digs, four kills and an ace in a two-set win over Hawaii Baptist

Autumn Williams, Aiea — Had 12 kills, seven digs and one ace in a four-set loss to Kapolei