Friday, May 16, 2008

SHOJI DOMINATES LAHAINALUNA

(May 16): It was a night to forget for MIL teams. Both of the league's seeded teams were eliminated from title contention in their opening matches.

Seabury Hall, the second seed in Division-II, suffered its first loss of the season in a 26-24, 25-23 upset against Hawaii Prep. Fourth-seeded Kamehameha-Maui lost 25-18, 25-21 to Roosevelt in the D-I quarterfinals.

And led by an unforgettable performance by Erik Shoji, top-seeded Punahou routed Lahainaluna 25-3, 25-15.

After Punahou took a 1-0 lead, Shoji took over the game. The 6-1 senior scored 14 straight service points. There's more: Nine of those points came on aces, including seven in a row.

And his coach, former UH player Rick Tune, says Shoji is playing out of position.

Tune describes Shoji as a world-class libero.

He also predicts Shoji will start as freshman at Stanford next season and establish himself as the best college player at that position in the country. High praise, indeed.

Punahou will face ILH rival Kamehameha in tonight's 7 o'clock semifinal at King Kekaulike. The Warriors of Kapalama advanced by beating the Warriors of the Big Island 25-15, 25-21.

In the other semi, Iolani will face Roosevelt, also at 7, at Kamehameha-Maui, Iolani advanced with a 25-18, 25-20 win over third-seeded Waianae. In consolation action, Lahainaluna and Kamehameha-Maui will meet in a 5:30 match at Kekaulike.

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