Bella Ayau, shown for the duration of a match towards Lahainaluna on Jan. 18, assisted direct the Kamehameha Colleges Maui women soccer team to its initially MIL championship considering that 2014. The Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photograph
Bella Ayau understood what was on the line for her Kamehameha Schools Maui ladies soccer group this period, but her big targets appeared to be in jeopardy considerably less than a thirty day period right before it kicked off.
In spite of going to the point out event each period due to the fact missing it in 2010, the Warriors had not won the Maui Interscholastic League title due to the fact proclaiming it again to again in 2013 and 2014.
As the time approached, having said that, a coaching improve grew to become needed and longtime KSM boys mentor Jayson Nakasone stepped in to tutorial the school’s girls as properly, with loads of assistance from 6 vital assistants.
Ayau was a person of 9 seniors on the Kamehameha Maui roster and the unquestioned leader.
With the probability to nail down that elusive MIL title, Ayau scored a few times in a 7- earn over Lahainaluna on Jan. 18 to get the work finished.
Not shockingly, Ayau is the alternative of the league’s coaches as The Maui News MIL Participant of the Yr.
“I do not know if it like strike me still, but I’m seriously energized and tremendous grateful,” Ayau mentioned Tuesday after studying of her award. “I don’t think it thoroughly sunk in yet, though.”
Ayau signed a National Letter of Intent in November to go on her career at the College of San Francisco. She will be a part of the past two winners of the MIL POY award — Teani Arakawa and U’i Ka’aihue, the two of King Kekaulike — as aspect of a very long list of MIL graduates to perform NCAA Division I soccer.
“I’m super thrilled for what the future has to maintain,” Ayau explained. “And just receiving this honor, like staying with U’i and Teani, they are these kinds of good players, it’s just really fascinating to me.”
Ayau, a midfielder, is joined on the MIL Division I very first group by five KSM teammates: Sienna Kamalani (ahead), Ellie Kapua’ala (midfielder), Evalani Keawekane (defender), Maile Kehano (defender) and Kailea Tuitele (defender).
The MIL D-I first group is rounded out by Maui High’s Elizabeth Bautista (forward) Baldwin’s Sammi Kinoshita (midfielder) and Mia Rivera (defender) and King Kekaulike’s Kaelynn Andrade (midfielder), Pua Farm (goalkeeper) and Ruby Kessler (utility).
“I’m not going to lie, it was a rocky start out since we experienced a very little issue with our coaches,” Ayau stated. “We acquired a new mentor 3 weeks ahead of the genuine period commenced. It was certainly nuts, but practically the bonds that transpired for some of the women on this team is anything I will acquire with me for the rest of my lifestyle for the reason that I assume significant faculty soccer is certainly a distinct emotion.
“It just feels distinct becoming ready to signify and engage in for your college, it was just so entertaining and taking part in at states, that was one of the very best moments I at any time had with my group.”
Ayau reported the team of Nakasone — the alternative of his friends as MIL D-I Coach of the Yr — and assistants Cody Felipe, Kaitlyn Felipe, Ignacio Arcas, Eli Joaquin and Kanoe Kehano was powerful right after they settled in.
“Coach Jason was the major a single, but we had like six other coaches that were seriously with us each individual working day at observe,” Ayau claimed. “In the beginning it was sort of odd to get used to, but likely on via the season it was like you felt that the coaches had been right here to arrive out and do the job with you and help do the job with the staff and it was so good.”
Ayau was important to the team’s success this time, Nakasone reported.
“She did play a person of our most vital roles on the group because we like to use our midfield a ton, so she was critical to that since she was always the connector, type of like the quarterback,” Nakasone stated. “Our defense often appeared to locate her and when we did she would dictate a great deal of our plays, a large amount of our assault, a good deal of our anything.
“She was the core selection maker on the crew as much as what we do.”
Nakasone reported the MIL soccer season was hectic for him with his duties doubled and he appears to come to be a bit of a participant staff director for the KSM Soccer packages.
“I’m not likely to lie, it was annoying,” Nakasone reported. “I did count a large amount on the assistant coaches. … They arrived in essential when it was time, all of them did. It fell in our laps with a number of weeks (remaining in advance of the period) and we couldn’t pass it up simply because it would have been some negative news for our women season.
“It just so transpired that it labored out that way and we were being glad to acquire it on. It was pleasurable.”
Simply because MIL Division II groups Seabury Corridor and Molokai did not participate in official matches towards D-I teams, there is a separate D-II All-Star group this season.
The Spartans swept the six-match collection with the Farmers, who rejoined the MIL for the first time in far more than a ten years. Seabury Hall landed 9 gamers on the D-II All-Star group, led by MIL D-II Participant of the 12 months Jacqueline Swartz.
Swartz, a senior ahead, was joined on the MIL D-II initially group by teammates Freya Carlsen (ahead), Quinn Quinabo (midfielder), Po Panis-Colorado (midfielder), Sofia Connor (midfielder), Christiana Joiner (defender), Clara Miller (defender), Victoria Osborn (defender) and Ava Kreusling (goalkeeper).
Molokai is represented on the All-Star staff by Kiera Len Wai-McGuire (utility), Clara Merkel (forward) and Sage-Marie Yamashita (forward).
* Robert Collias is at [email protected].
More Stories
On-line athletics betting begins tomorrow in Kentucky
The significance and sentiment of the sports bar – Alexandria Echo Press
Blue Jays Roundup: Swimming hosts nonconference dual – Jamestown Sun