Maui Prep is buoyed for state after winning a school’s first-ever MIL title in girls volleyball | News, sports, jobs

The Maui Prep girls volleyball team erupts in celebration after winning the Maui Interscholastic League championship on Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024, at Lahainaluna High School. Maui Prep defeated Seabury Hall in the title game 20-25, 25-19, 15-25, 25-22, 16-14.

Four years ago, Maui Prep created a roadmap to winning the school’s first-ever Maui Interscholastic League championship in girls volleyball.

On Oct. 15, the Pueo achieved their goal, defeating MIL Division II powerhouse Seabury Hall 20-25, 25-19, 15-25, 25-22, 16-14 in the championship game of the tournament at Lahainaluna High School .

“It’s special, but aside from just being that one year, it’s really been a four-year project growing this program.” said coach Ryan Kirkham.

As a founding member of the school, which began as a middle school in 2005-06 and then celebrated its first graduating class in 2009-10, Kirkham remembers seeing a strong group of freshmen four years ago who formed a core that they believed that they were the ones the school’s volleyball program could build on.

The coach explained that a timetable had been drawn up at the time. That first year, Kirkham said they wanted to learn to play volleyball. In their second year, they wanted to learn how to win. In their third year, they wanted to compete at a high level in MIL Division II volleyball.

“And year four was the year we thought we could put together a team that would be competitive enough to win a MIL championship.” he said. “This is the roadmap we laid out four years ago, and it’s so fulfilling – and probably a little euphoric – to see it just unfolding like that.”

But it wasn’t easy for the Pueo as Seabury Hall pushed them to the limit in the championship game.

“Oh, what a heart attack special!” Kirkham said of the Division II final. “It was just a fight all night. Seabury is such a strong team.”

In the fifth set, Maui Prep took a 9-3 lead. However, Seabury wasn’t going to take it easy, and after calling a timeout, Seabury recovered to take a 14-12 lead. But with their backs against the wall, Maui Prep’s girls responded and scored four straight points to secure the MIL crown.

Junior midfielder Grace Cardon was the Pueo’s MVP in the championship game as Kirkham said she played her best game of the season when it mattered most. In fact, Cardon scored three of Pueo’s final four points when Maui Prep trailed 14-12 in the fifth set, and she had 10 kills and three blocks in the match.

“She was a force blocking the net and her scoring was phenomenal in that last game.” Kirkham said.

He also praised Lauren Brown for being an outstanding MIL player all year and Avery Kirkham for her passing, hitting and serving. In the title game, Brown finished with 17 kills and a block, while Avery Kirkham had eight kills, three aces and 24 digs. Libero Zoey Offergeld (4 aces, 17 digs) and setter Ashley Davis (42 assists, 11 digs) also had strong nights for the Pueo.

“Kudos to Seabury” Kirkham said. “(They have) such a good reputation for a volleyball program, and they definitely showed that throughout the season and in the tournament as well.”

Additional photos courtesy of Ray Chin.