The Kalani junior and Campbell senior led their teams to season-opening wins last week. CJ Caraang | SL

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Female Athlete of the Week: Cherise Horita, Kalani softball 
Cherise Horita found the perfect way to open the season for her Kalani softball team Saturday.

The junior right-handed pitcher tossed a five-inning perfect game to lead the Falcons to a 10-0 win over Kaimuki. Horita, who stands 5 feet, 6 inches, struck out 11 of the 15 batters she faced.

"She was able to really hit her locations and she was able to move the ball in and out," Kalani coach Kellet Hussey said of Horita.

Horita used a variety of pitches to keep the Bulldogs' bats silent.

"Her best pitch was her curve," Hussey said. "She's known for her screwball, but her curve has come a long way. She was mixing up that curve, her screwball and her fastball well. The fastball was her out pitch. Her ability to spot the inside fastball was really, really good and she has a good change-up now, so that helps."

Of the four times that Kaimuki batters were able to put the ball in play off of Horita, three times it resulted in a pop up.

"Except for maybe one ground ball to my shortstop that she threw the girl out, everything else was real standard," Hussey said. "She was dominant."

Hussey said Horita came across "two or three" three-ball counts, but battled through each time.

"She'd just hit her spots and that was it. That's why she doesn't get flustered. She'd get two strikes then maybe throws a ball and two more balls — because we try to get the (batter) to chase — but she came right back with the inside fastball," Hussey said.

As a freshman two years ago, Horita had a record of 11-5 with a 3.75 ERA. She allowed 61 hits in 56 innings with 74 strikeouts against 20 walks and earned Second Team All-Oahu Interscholastic Association D2 honors. Kalani reached the semifinals of the league tournament and finished with a 12-7 overall record (9-6 league) in Horita's freshman season.

Last year saw the Falcons post a 12-4 mark (10-3 league) and reach the OIA final. Horita posted a 9-4 record with a 4.24 ERA. In 74 1/3 innings pitched, she allowed 87 hits with an incredible 124 strikeouts to just 15 walks en route to First Team recognition.

"Her fastball is faster and crisper this year, but now we gotta adjust to the amount of movement that she gets (off of it). She gets more movement because the ball is faster, because she's stronger," Hussey said.

The gains in strength can be rooted to her winter sport: wrestling.

"Her wrestling has really helped her. It's given her that strength. She's gotten really strong."

Kalani played without Horita for its entire preseason schedule, which gave Hussey a chance to give others a look in the pitching circle, but his ace's return from the wrestling mat was a welcome one indeed.

"We're not looking ahead of anyone, but that really helps us out and gives our girls a lot of confidence," Hussey said. "In all honestly, we'll go where Cherise takes us. She's what we rotate around. We can hit, but with her pitching it makes our defense look really, really good. We played most of the top teams in the preseason without her and she makes a very, very big difference. We've got other leaders on the team, but she's the one with the ball in her hands every play."

With Horita at the controls, Hussey is hoping his ball club can align itself for a return trip to the league final next month.

"We're serious, we want to go to the championship game and get another shot at it. We came close last year. I just hope we go all the way," Hussey said.

Horita and Falcons (1-0) return to action Saturday when they visit Kahuku at 3 p.m.

Male Athlete of the Week: Micah Anguay, Campbell volleyball
In less than three full years, Micah Anguay's progression in the sport of volleyball has come in leaps and bounds.

After giving up baseball following his freshman year, Anguay retooled his focus indoors where he has blossomed for the Campbell boys volleyball team under coach Tracie Balino.

Anguay has grown to become an imposing 6-foot-5 middle blocker/opposite, but Balino can still recall him as a "5-foot-something" sophomore brand new to the sport.

"When he first came out to our program, I had to basically teach him the basics: how to bump, how to volleyball. I had to teach him from scratch because he had no clue, but he had that athleticism in him and he had the heart to want to learn," Balino said.

Aside from his physical growth, Anguay put in his share of gym time to improve his game over the years.

"I'm just glad he continued pursuing volleyball because how he is now shows that he loves the game and it shows that he's worked hard to be where he's at," Balino said. "

"With the amount of work that he had in him and that he put into it, I kind of expected him to be at the level that he's at, especially being a year-round player and the training he's doing all year long with all the extra practices he gets with his club. The hard work is paying off for him because he came in really, really raw and just continued and progressed every year."

Balino also noted that Anguay has worked his way into a six-rotation player for the Sabers.

"Last year he didn't play in the back row as much, but this year so far I've been keeping him in because the majority of the time he's in the back row, he's playing opposite, so it won't take as much energy out of him as playing middle so we're now utilizing him back there as well. I can utilize him wherever I need him, but as long as I've had him, he's been my middle and my oppo," Balino said.

Anguay is one of four seniors on the team, but is the lone year-round volleyball player, Balino said.

"He's our go-to player. I can't speak highly enough about his playing ability and how much of an asset he is to our program and our team. We rarely get year-round players. We usually only come across seasonal players, but he's a year-round player and he's a lot more advanced than the other kids are and experience-wise, he'll stand out most definitely."

Balino said she is continuing to work with Anguay on channeling his competitiveness and on-court passion into solid leadership.

"We need for him to step it up as a leader of all the players in our program," Balino said. "We want him to continue to encourage the rest of his teammates and try to help them to be the best that they can be and just try to be the leader that he should be because I did delegate him as our team captain and I think he has a lot to offer to our team this year. A whole lot."

Anguay, who earned First Team All-Oahu Interscholastic Association Western Division honors last year, opened the regular season on the right foot last Wednesday. He posted a match-high 20 kills to lead Campbell to a 25-22, 24-26, 15-13 win over Aiea. Anguay also recorded one dig, one block assist, a service ace and a set assist.

"He's a very good player. He's come a long way, but he still has a lot more in him," Balino said. "He's a really talented volleyball player and we're looking forward to the rest of his senior season and hopefully beyond that too, because he definitely wants to play in college. And he is college caliber."

Anguay and the Sabers (1-1) continue league play Wednesday, when they play host to Waianae at 6:30 p.m.

BASEBALL
Matt Aribal, Pearl City — Batted 3 for 4 with a triple, two RBI and two runs scored in a win over Aiea

Bryson Ballesteros, Kailua — Allowed no runs on one hit with seven strikeouts and four walks in a complete-game win over Kalani

Kalai Cabana-Zukeran, Castle — Batted 3 for 4 with an RBI in a win over Roosevelt

Michael China, Mid-Pacific — Allowed no runs on four hits with two strikeouts and no walks in a complete-game win over Punahou

Jack Dillon, Radford — Batted 2 for 3 with an RBI and three runs scored and allowed two runs on four hits with 12 strikeouts and one walk in a complete-game win over Kaimuki

Tyler Dyball, Kaiser — Batted 2 for 3 with a triple and two RBI and allowed no runs on two hits with 14 strikeouts and no walks in a complete-game win over Kalaheo

Cade Fernandez, Moanalua — Allowed no runs on four hits with two strikeouts and one walk in five innings pitched in a win over Kalaheo

Ikaika Ganancial, Campbell — Batted 2 for 4 with a walk, stolen base and three RBI in a win over Leilehua

Cade Halemanu, Pearl City — Allowed four runs, one earned, on five hits with seven strikeouts and one walk in five innings pitched in a win over Aiea

Mackenzee Higuchi, Mid-Pacific — Batted 4 for 4 with a double and an RBI in a win over Punahou

Cody Hirano, Punahou — Batted 2 for 4 with a double, three RBI and two runs scored in a win over Hanalani

Connor Ibi, Roosevelt — Batted 3 for 3 with a run scored in a loss to Castle

DJ Kabua, Radford — Batted 2 for 3 with three RBI and a run scored in a win over McKinley

Dakota Kadooka, Kailua — Hit a home run, walked twice, stole a base, drove in two runs and scored twice in a win over Moanalua

Jabe Kahawaii, Castle — Batted 3 for 4 in a win over Roosevelt

Jamin Kalaola, Campbell — Allowed no runs on two hits with four strikeouts and no walks in a complete-game win over Mililani

Matthew Kaleiohi, Kailua — Batted 2 for 4 with two RBI and two runs scored in a win over Moanalua

Jarod Kaneshiro, Kalani — Allowed two runs on five hits with three strikeouts and three walks in a complete-game win over Roosevelt

Mason Kim, Damien — Batted 2 for 3 with two RBI, a stolen base and a run scored in a win over Hanalani

Kalai Klask-Hoopii, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Batted 3 for 3 with a triple, double, four RBI and a run scored in a win over Kealakehe

Kyle Layugan, Mid-Pacific — Batted 2 for 4 with a home run, four RBI and two runs scored in a win over Kamehameha

Stanley McKenzie, Saint Louis — Batted 3 for 3 with a home run and two RBI in a loss to Iolani and doubled with three RBI and a run scored in a win over PAC-5

Maddux Miyasato, Maryknoll — Batted 3 for 4 with three doubles, two RBI and two runs scored in a win over PAC-5

Kamakani Motas, Damien — Batted 2 for 3 with a double and two RBI and allowed no runs on four hits with three strikeouts and no walks in three innings pitched in a win over Hanalani

Christian Ontai, Leilehua — Batted 3 for 4 with a triple, double and three RBI in a win over Kapolei

Stone Parker, Kailua — Allowed no runs on one hit with six strikeouts and one walk in five innings pitched in a win over Moanalua

Micah Pi, Mid-Pacific — Batted 2 for 4 with two doubles and an RBI in a win over Punahou

Jerin Poopaa-Adaro, Leilehua — Allowed two runs on six hits with six strikeouts and no walks in a complete-game win over Kapolei

Fabian Silva-Pokipala, Castle — Allowed two runs on six hits with three strikeouts and no walks in a complete-game win over Roosevelt

Tommy Tereschuck, Radford — Allowed one unearned run on five hits with six strikeouts and no walks in five innings pitched in a win over McKinley

Vince Venenciano, Kamehameha — Batted 2 for 3 with a home run, two RBI and two runs scored in a loss to Mid-Pacific and batted 2 for 4 with a double and two RBI in a win over Maryknoll

Drayden Yamauchi, Maryknoll — Batted 2 for 4 with a home run and two RBI in a loss to Kamehameha

Cade Yonamine, Iolani — Batted 2 for 2 with a walk and three RBI in a win over Saint Louis

Wyatt Young, Mid-Pacific — Batted 3 for 3 with a triple, double, walk and three runs scored in a win over Kamehameha

Jacob Yoshino, Mid-Pacific — Batted 2 for 5 with a stolen base, two RBI and two runs scored in a win over Kamehameha and batted 3 for 4 in a win over Punahou

BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Shane Harimoto, Iolani — Had 30 assists and one block assist in a two-set win over Hawaii Baptist

Cole Hogland, Iolani — Had 11 kills and two block assists in a two-set win over Hawaii Baptist

Michael Johnson, Hawaii Baptist — Had 12 kills, one dig and one assist in a two-set loss to Iolani

Blaze Kahikina, Waianae — Had 10 kills and three digs in a two-set win over Nanakuli

Jesse Nagatori, Christian Liberty — Had 48 assists in a four-set win over Honokaa

Josh Rushton, Christian Liberty — Had 19 kills in a four-set win over Honokaa

Seireadan Sana, Waianae — Had 12 digs, three assists and an ace in a two-set win over Nanakuli

Zach Suffern, Christian Liberty — Had 22 kills in a four-set win over Honokaa

GIRLS WATER POLO
Hailey Bogar, Lahainaluna — Scored four goals in a win over Maui

Porsha Brandt, Kalaheo — Scored five goals in a win over Campbell

Ceci Buckingham, King Kekaulike — Scored three goals in a win over Maui

Rebecca Buenrostro-Gallimore, Baldwin — Scored five goals in a win over Maui, scored four goals in a win over Seabury Hall and scored three goals in a win over King Kekaulike

Ava Countryman, Kahuku — Scored six goals in a win over Mililani

Dakota Delos-Reyes, Lahainaluna — Scored 10 goals in a win over Seabury Hall

Keanuenue DeSoto, Kamehameha II — Scored three goals in a win over Mid-Pacific II

Annika Edwards, Kapolei — Scored three goals in a loss to Kaiser

Makanahele Emmsley, King Kekaulike — Scored six goals in a win over Kamehameha-Maui

Christina Hicks, Punahou — Scored three goals in a win over Kamehameha

Isabelle Horio, Punahou II — Scored three goals in a win over Sacred Hearts

Mehanaokalaikapomaikai Leafchild, Punahou II — Scored three goals in a win over Iolani II

Skylar Lickle, Seabury Hall — Scored six goals in a win over Kamehameha-Maui

Dillyn Lietzke, Punahou — Scored three goals in a win over Kamehameha

Samantha Nakagawa, Kamehameha — Scored three goals in a win over Mid-Pacific

Kanoko Niimura, Kaiser — Scored three goals in a win over Kapolei

Erin Patterson, Kaiser — Scored three goals in a win over Kapolei

Audrey Reiss, Baldwin — Scored three goals in a win over King Kekaulike

Grace Rittenhouse, Kahuku — Scored five goals in a win over Campbell

Tehani Smith, Castle — Scored three goals in a loss to Moanalua

Kaya Takashige, Leilehua — Scored six goals in a win over Kailua

Allie Tom, Punahou II — Scored three goals in a win over Kamehameha II

Tatiana Troupe, Campbell — Scored five goals in a loss to Kalaheo and scored five goals in a loss to Kahuku

Teisa Vehikite, Lahainaluna — Scored four goals in a win over Kamehameha-Maui

Mahie Wilhelm, Le Jardin — Scored four goals in a win over Sacred Hearts

Liana Wong, Kamehameha II — Scored three goals in a win over Mid-Pacific II

SOFTBALL
Tiana Aholelei, Kaiser — Batted 2 for 4 with two doubles, an RBI and two runs scored in a win over Moanalua

Bailey Akimseu, Punahou — Homered, walked and drove in four runs in a win over Iolani

Gianna Araki, Leilehua — Batted 2 for 3 with a home run, two walks, two RBI and two runs scored in a win over Campbell and batted 3 for 3 with two doubles and two runs scored in a win over Waianae

Cira Bartolotti, Kapolei — Batted 2 for 4 with two home runs and five RBI and allowed two runs on five hits with nine strikeouts and five walks in a complete-game win over Mililani and allowed three runs, two earned, on six hits with 12 strikeouts and three walks in 6 2/3 innings pitched in a loss to Campbell

Jaeda Cabunoc, Roosevelt — Allowed two unearned runs on two hits with one strikeout and two walks in five innings pitched in a win over Castle

Mari Foster, Roosevelt — Batted 2 for 3 with a home run, triple, three RBI and two runs scored and pitched two scoreless innings of relief in a win over Castle

Nohea Hee, Maryknoll — Batted 4 for 4 with a home run, three RBI and three runs scored in a win over PAC-5

Kayla Hensley, Waianae — Batted 3 for 4 with a home run and three RBI in a loss to Leilehua

Kennedy Ishii, Punahou — Batted 3 for 5 with two runs scored in a win over Iolani

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

Prestyne Kaimi-Montira, Kapolei — Batted 3 for 4 with a double and two runs in a win over Mililani

Alyssa Kaleiohi, Kaiser — Batted 2 for 2 with a double and two RBI in a win over Moanalua

Kamryn Kamakaiwi, Leilehua — Homered, drove in two runs and allowed three runs on 10 hits with six strikeouts and three walks in a complete-game win over Waianae

Xailey Kamealoha, Waianae — Batted 3 for 3 with a walk and a run scored in a loss to Leilehua

Keila Kamoku, Kamehameha — Batted 2 for 2 with two walks, an RBI and four runs scored in a win over Punahou and batted 2 for 3 with a home run, walk and two runs scored in a win over PAC-5

Tehani Keola-Aquino, Kaiser — Batted 2 for 3 with a double, two RBI and a run scored in a win over Moanalua

Brandi Leong, Leilehua — Batted 3 for 4 with a double, walk, two RBI and two runs scored in a win over Campbell and batted 2 for 5 with a home run, two RBI and two runs scored in a win over Waianae

Gwen Maeha, Leilehua — Batted 2 for 3 with a home run, walk, two RBI and two runs scored in a win over Campbell

Shandi Matsumoto, Kalani — Batted 2 for 2 with a double, walk, stolen base and three runs scored in a win over Kaimuki

Kahilu McNicoll, Maryknoll — Allowed no runs on three hits with five strikeouts and one walk in five innings pitched in a win over PAC-5

Staisa Micky, Leilehua — Batted 4 for 4 with two doubles and two RBI in a win over Campbell and batted 2 for 4 with a triple and three RBI in a win over Waianae

Dallas Millwood, Kamehameha — Batted 2 for 2 with a home run, double, six RBI and three runs scored in a win over Punahou

Kaena Nistal, Leilehua — Batted 4 for 5 with a home run and three RBI in a win over Campbell

Kiley Ozaki, Kapolei — Batted 3 for 3 with a home run and two RBI in a win over Mililani

Kylie Pagud, Kalani — Batted 2 for 2 with a home run, four RBI and two runs scored in a win over Kaimuki

Mikayla Pinera, Leilehua — Batted 2 for 4 with a double, two RBI and two runs scored in a win over Campbell

Chloe Sales, Campbell — Allowed two runs on five hits with six strikeouts and two walks in a complete-game win over Kapolei

Noel Saunders, Pearl City — Batted 3 for 3 with a double, walk, stolen base and two runs scored in a win over Nanakuli

Kanoe Tanigawa, Maryknoll — Batted 2 for 3 with a home run, walk and four RBI in a win over PAC-5

Hailey-Alexis Yamaguchi, Pearl City — Batted 3 for 4 in a win over Nanakuli