The Owls' senior catcher and Trojans' senior outside hitter powered their respective teams to key victories last week. ScoringLive photo illustration

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Female Athlete of the Week: Lia Nakamoto, Mid-Pacific softball
Lia Nakamoto's timing could not have been better.

The Mid-Pacific senior slugged a sixth-inning grand slam that gave her team the lead for good in Friday's thrilling 10-6 win over then-No. 7 Iolani in the semifinals of the Interscholastic League of Honolulu Division I softball tournament.

"She came up huge for us at that right time," Owls coach Aloha Yamaguchi said. "She can hit for power and when she puts that good piece of bat on to the ball it's like how Friday felt with that big hit. Off the bat I just knew that it was gone. It was one of those towering-high balls. I was so happy for her."

Aside from the grand slam, Nakamoto, who bats fifth in the MPI lineup, had a number of good at bats throughout the game. She doubled and came around to score in the second inning to get her team on the board. She reached on an error in the third inning and a fielder's choice in the fifth, when she moved to second on a passed ball and scored on a Mahealani Perkins two-out single to center. That run gave the Owls their third lead of the ball game at 4-3.

"She has good speed in addition to power and she's one of our fastest players, so a lot of times I don't even want to courtesy run for her because she's great as a base runner and she's smart. She will even go (to the next base) on a down in the dirt ball. It might not necessarily be a passed ball, but she will go."

The Raiders answered with three runs on a home run by Aleia Agbayani to pull ahead in the bottom of the fifth, 6-4, but the Owls stole the momentum right back in the sixth.

Beyli Correa came home on an error to cut the deficit to a run before the next three batters reached base to load the bags for Nakamoto.

Nakamoto then drove the 2-2 offering from Iolani relief pitcher Marcee Nakamura well over the fence in center field to clear the bases and put her team back in front 9-6.

"Iolani had that great inning to go ahead and for us to answer back how we did in that inning was a big booster for us because throughout our season we've been battling where that one inning could have made a difference in previous games," Yamaguchi said. "To have that answer-back inning was huge for our team."

Nakamoto's big day at the plate served as a breaking out of a season-long slump. She had just six hits in her first 32 at bats (.187 batting average) going into the game and went 0 for 3 in Wednesday's 4-2 win over Punahou.

"She swings so hard , so a lot of times they're getting her on change-ups or mixing it up," Yamaguchi said. "She was struggling in the Punahou game, but it's just her having to see the ball and when she does make contact it can turn out how it did in the Iolani game versus the Punahou game. It was like two different Lias."

Nakamoto, who also threw out two Raiders' base runners, has a tendency to serve as her own toughest critic.

"Lia is one that is so hard on herself, more than anybody else," Yamaguchi said. "There have been times this season where she's come to us and said that she shouldn't play and we should put someone else in, but we told her that she's a leader for us and the girls look up to her and we're going to need her and we're going to keep going to her as she is one of our leaders."

As a team, the Owls are playing the part of Cinderella in the ILH postseason. After going winless in the regular season, they have posted back-to-back upsets to eliminate both the Buffanblu and Raiders.

"Now you can see that they're really believing," said Yamaguchi, who took over as head coach this season. "We've told them many times that it's just one inning, it's just one hit and for me, to now see how it all matters and it's all coming together where we're still in has made it a fun past week and I just hope that they keep at it."

Nakamoto and the Owls (2-12) will take on fifth-ranked Maryknoll Wednesday at Sand Island State Recreational Park for the second-round title and a berth in next week's DataHouse/HHSAA State Championships at Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium.

First pitch Wednesday is set for 4 p.m.

Male Athlete of the Week: Sila Fuiava, Mililani boys volleyball
Sila Fuiava's impact on the Mililani boys volleyball team was evident in Thursday's win over Campbell.

The 6-foot-1 senior outside hitter put down a season-high 16 kills to go with 10 digs, four aces and a block assist in the Trojans' 25-21, 25-21, 25-16 sweep of the visiting Sabers in a quarterfinal of the Oahu Interscholastic Association Division I tournament last week.

"He was pretty steady and he's just such a smart player," Mililani coach Trent Niino said of Fuiava. "Hands down, he has the highest volleyball IQ on the team and he knows the game the most. He's been playing at a competitive level for a long time now and he knows what needs to be done in order to win."

Fuiava, a three-year starter and six-rotation player, used his smarts — and a full arsenal of attacks — to keep Campbell guessing.

"He sees the court really well and can read the defense really well, too, so he knows when to pound the ball and when a tip is needed or just a roll shot," Niino said.

Niino noted that Fuiava is also one of the primary passers in serve-receive.

"His all-around game is amazing," Niino said. "Offensively, he knows how to read the block and read the court, but also defensively he knows how to read the hitter."

Fuiava's four aces were also a season-high mark.

"We went on some runs with his jump serve when he was back at the service line and again, that goes back to him knowing when to put heat on the ball and when there's holes in the defense, he knows where to put the ball," Niino said.

As great as Fuiava has been on the court, it's his growth as a leader that Niino had the most praise for.

"I made him a captain this season, but I kind of had some hesitation because he's a very quiet person. Sila doesn't really talk," Niino said. "I kept talking to him about it and pushing him to be a leader and now he's really embraced that role and stepped up to the plate and now he is more vocal and assertive as a leader. That's the skill I'm most proud of because it's a skill he can take with him when volleyball is done."

While Fuiava may not verbalize a lot of his thoughts, when he does speak, his teammates listen.

"The rest of the players have always definitely looked up to Sila because of his skill and that's something that I was telling him, that the boys are always going to look up to him and listen to him because of his skill level, but now he has to start holding them accountable and pushing them to play at his level," Niino said. "You can't worry about hurting their feelings. As a leader you have to make hard decisions and some people won't always like it, but they definitely look up to him and definitely look to him for guidance."

Niino, who was an assistant with the program prior to taking over this season, said he figured Fuiava was going to be a key piece to the puzzle.

"I knew definitely going into the season that Sila was going to be my big gun. There was no question about that. The big question mark was who else was going to step up to the plate and how we were going to make it a balanced attack so that we weren't just relying on Sila," Niino said.

Mililani went undefeated in the regular season — dropping just one set along the way — and finished as the West's top seed. Thursday's win secured a spot in next week's state tournament.

"It definitely was a goal from the beginning of the season to get to states and I think for me personally as a coach, it's an amazing win," Niino said. "It's great to be able to get back to the state tournament."

Fuiava and the Trojans (11-0) will take on Waipahu in a semifinal-round match Tuesday at Radford's Jim Alegre Gymnasium. First serve is slated for 7 p.m.

BASEBALL
Akila Arecchi, Damien — Batted 4 for 4 with an RBI and two runs scored in a win over Saint Francis

Javin Cortez, Damien — Allowed one run on four hits with four strikeouts and five walks in an eight-inning complete-game win over Saint Francis

Jordan Donahue, Damien — Doubled, walked three times, drove in a run and scored three times in a win over Saint Francis

Cody Isa, Moanalua — Batted 3 for 4 with two doubles and four RBI in a win over Kaiser

Nainoa Keahi, Baldwin — Batted 3 for 4 with two RBI and a run scored in a win over Maui

Pomai Kim, Damien — Batted 2 for 2 with a double and an RBI in a win over Saint Francis

Ryne Oshiro, Moanalua — Batted 2 for 3 with a double, walk, RBI and three runs scored in a win over Kaiser

Keoni Pangan, Kaiser — Batted 2 for 4 with a walk and two RBI in a loss to Moanalua

Kaiolohia Perreira-Alquiza, Saint Louis — Hit a three-run home run in a win over Kamehameha

Makana Poole, Saint Francis — Batted 2 for 3 with two doubles, a walk and three RBI in a loss to Damien

Logan Salcedo, Kamehameha — Batted 3 for 4 with a double and two RBI in a loss to Saint Louis

Daniel Stephens, Saint Louis — Batted 2 for 4 with an RBI and two runs scored in a win over Kamehameha

Randy Tabura, Moanalua — Batted 3 for 4 with three doubles, two RBI and two runs scored in a win over Kaiser

Ekolu Watanabe, Baldwin — Allowed five hits with three strikeouts and one walk in six scoreless innings pitched in a win over Maui

Matthew Wong, Saint Louis — Batted 2 for 4 with a double, RBI and two runs scored in a win over Kamehameha

Jared Yara, Saint Francis — Allowed one run on two hits with five strikeouts and six walks in 6 2/3 innings pitched in a loss to Damien

BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Kade Apuna, Kamehameha — Had 13 kills, three digs and two block assists in a four-set win over Mid-Pacific

Nalu Demello, Moanalua — Had 10 kills, two aces, two assists and a solo block in a three-set win over Waianae

Nicholas Gayagoy, Lahainaluna — Had 23 assists in a four-set win over Baldwin

Chance Guillermo, Mililani — Had 36 assists and six digs in a three-set win over Campbell

Bradyn Hipa, Kalaheo — Had 17 digs in a four-set loss to Waianae

Kaioluhia Kalani, Kamehameha — Had 11 kills, five digs, two block assists and an ace in a four-set win over Mid-Pacific

Blaze Kahikina, Waianae — Had 12 kills, two block assists and one solo block in a three-set loss to Moanalua

Kahaku King, Roosevelt — Had 15 kills, one ace and a block assist in a three-set loss to Kapolei

Hapaki Kupahu-Phillips, Kailua — Had 11 killls and one block assist in a three-set loss to Aiea

Jake Lafata, Mililani — Had 17 digs, two assists and an ace in a three-set win over Campbell

Kalai Leopoldo, Moanalua — Had 11 kills, two block assists, one solo block and an ace in a three-set win over Waianae

Kristofer Ma, Mid-Pacific — Had 18 assists and 12 digs in a four-set loss to Kamehameha

Sene Malala, Aiea — Had 13 kills and three block assists in a three-set win over Kailua

Elia Mose, Waialua — Had 17 kills with seven digs, three solo blocks and two block assists in a four-set win over Waialua and had 12 kills, one ace and a solo block in a five-set win over Radford

Pono Murray, Lahainaluna — Had 12 kills, five solo blocks and three aces in a four-set win over Baldwin

Richard Pili, Farrington — Had 20 assists, 10 kills, five digs, two aces and a block assist in a four-set win over Waialua

Matthew Saffery, Kamehameha — Had 36 assists, nine digs, three aces, one kill and a block assist in a four-set win over Mid-Pacific

Nofoalii Saolotoga, Waipahu — Had 27 assists, five digs, four kills, three block assists and an ace in a three-set win over Kaiser

Jeminae Solomua, Waipahu — Had 14 kills and 12 digs in a three-set win over Kaiser

Jon Stanley, Kaiser — Had 13 kills, eight digs, two aces and an assist in a three-set loss to Kaiser

Willie Tupua Richardson, Kapolei — Had 14 kills, two block assists and one solo block in a three-set win over Roosevelt

GIRLS WATER POLO
Taylor Brooks, Roosevelt — Scored four goals in a win over Leilehua and scored six goals in a win over Kalani

Ava Countryman, Kahuku — Scored five goals in a win over Kalaheo

April Gomes, Roosevelt — Scored five goals in a loss to Kahuku

Dani Kauahi, Punahou — Scored four goals in a win over Iolani

Charity Lopes, Kalani — Scored five goals in a win over Kapolei

Marissa Miller, Punahou — Scored four goals in a win over Iolani

Mailani Wendt, Kapolei — Scored five goals in a win over Waialua

SOFTBALL
Aleia Agbayani, Iolani — Homered, drew a walk, drove in three runs and scored twice in a loss to Mid-Pacific

Jocelyn Alo, Campbell — Batted 2 for 2 with a home run, double, two walks and two RBI in a win over Kailua

Taylor Asio, Lahainaluna — Tossed a complete-game five-hitter with xxx in a win over Maui

Brooke Baptiste, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Batted 2 for 4 with two RBI and two runs scored in a win over Konawaena

Jade Behic, Campbell — Struck out nine and walked none in a five-inning no-hitter in a win over Kalaheo

Leiloa Bustamante, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Batted 2 for 3 with a home run, three RBI and a run scored in a loss to Konawaena and batted 3 for 5 with two doubles, two RBI and a run scored in a win over Konawaena

Logan Carlos, Maryknoll — Batted 3 for 4 with an RBI and a run scored in a win over PAC-5

Misha Carreira, Mililani — Allowed three unearned runs on four hits with five strikeouts and four walks in a complete-game win over Moanalua

Danielle Cervantes, Campbell — Struck out 13, walked three and allowed two hits in six scoreless innings pitched in a win over Kailua

Angel-Leigh Ching, Roosevelt — Batted 2 for 4 with a home run, triple and two RBI in a win over Leilehua

Cierra Colombini, Waipahu — Batted 2 for 3 with an RBI, walk and four runs scored in a win over Kaimuki

Chloe Domingo, Campbell — Homered, walked twice, drove in three runs and scored twice in a win over Kailua

Mika Emoto, Roosevelt — Batted 3 for 4 with a double, three RBI and two runs scored in a win over Leilehua

Ciera Farias, Radford — Batted 2 for 4 with a home run, three RBI and four runs scored in a win over Waialua

Hewa Helenihi, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Batted 3 for 4 with three RBI and two runs scored in a win over Konawaena

Mahealani Hetrick, Radford — Batted 2 for 4 with a home run, three RBI and two runs scored in a win over Waialua

Kristi Hirata, Waiakea — Batted 3 for 3 with a triple, three RBI and a run scored in a win over Kealakehe

Cahl Horner, Molokai — Batted 3 for 4 with a double and a run scored in a win over Lanai

Tyanna Kaaialii, Pearl City — Allowed one run on three hits with three strikeouts and six walks in a complete game and drove in the go-ahead run in a win over Kapolei

Kawena Kahana-Travis, Leilehua — Batted 2 for 2 with a home run and four RBI in a win over Farrington and batted 2 for 3 with two doubles and two RBI in a loss to Roosevelt

Sadie Kapaku-You, Kapolei — Allowed two runs, one earned, on four hits with two strikeouts and five walks in six innings pitched in a loss to Pearl City

Nawai Kaupe, Maui — Batted 3 for 3 with a triple and a run scored in a loss to Lahainaluna

Jerae Keliikoa, Mililani — Batted 2 for 2 with three RBI and a run scored in a win over Moanalua

Brandi Leong, Leilehua — Batted 3 for 3 with a double, three RBI, three runs scored and two walks in a win over Farrington and batted 2 for 5 with a solo home run in a loss to Roosevelt

Kiarra Lincoln, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Batted 3 for 4 with two walks and three runs scored in a loss to Konawaena

Cheyenne Lute, Nanakuli — Homered, drove in three runs and drew a walk in a loss to Moanalua

Kahilu McNicoll, Maryknoll — Batted 2 for 4 with a home run, double, three RBI and two runs scored in a win over PAC-5

Shaily Moses, Waiakea — Batted 2 for 4 with two RBI and a run scored in a win over Kealakehe

Maya Nakamura, Roosevelt — Batted 2 for 5 with two doubles, two RBI and three runs scored in a win over Leilehua

Marissa Nishihara, Mid-Pacific — Batted 2 for 4 with a triple, two RBI and a run scored in a win over Iolani

Markie Okamoto, Mililani — Batted 2 for 4 with three RBI in a win over Moanalua

Sonia Palik, Kaimuki — Batted 3 for 5 with two doubles, four RBI and a run scored in a loss to Waipahu

Mahealani Perkins, Mid-Pacific — Batted 3 for 4 with a double, RBI and a run scored in a win over Iolani

Alesia Ranches, Campbell — Batted 3 for 3 with a home run and three runs scored in a win over Kalaheo

Zoie Recolan, Campbell — Doubled, drove in three runs and scored another in a win over Kalaheo

Alo Salausa, Leilehua — Batted 3 for 3 with two doubles, three RBI and two runs scored in a win over Farrington and batted 3 for 4 with an RBI and a run scored in a loss to Roosevelt

Sadie Schilling, Lanai — Batted 2 for 3 with three RBI and two runs scored in a win over Seabury Hall

Punipuao Seei, Radford — Batted 2 for 3 with a home run, four RBI and two runs scored in a win over Waialua

Danika Stewart, Roosevelt — Batted 3 for 4 with a triple, double, three RBI and a run scored in a win over Leilehua

Taylor Sullivan, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Homered, drove in four runs, drew a walk and scored twice in a win over Konawaena

Halee Sweat, Waiakea — Struck out three, walked three and allowed two hits in five scoreless innings in a win over Kealakehe

Megan Taguchi, Roosevelt — Batted 3 for 4 with two runs scored in a win over Leilehua

Kanoe Tanigawa, Maryknoll — Batted 3 for 4 with two doubles and two runs scored in a win over PAC-5

Skylar Thomas, Waiakea — Batted 3 for 3 with two doubles, two RBI, two runs scored and a walk in a win over Kealakehe

Braylee Tovio-Asato, Lahinaluna — Batted 2 for 4 with a double, three RBI and a run scored in a win over Maui

Salavao Veu, Waipahu — Batted 3 for 4 with a double, three RBI and four runs scored in a win over Kaimauki

Jada Young, Moanalua — Allowed one run on six hits with one strikeout and one walk in six innings pitched in a win over Nanakuli