Le Jardin boys make volleyball history

Le Jardin made it a first state title with a first-year head coach on Friday night.

The Bulldogs captured their first boys volleyball state title, fending off OIA champion Pearl City 25-18, 25-9, 25-21 in the final of the New City Nissan/HHSAA Division II State Championships.

It was a wild day on Oahu, with flash floods and lightning storms prevalent across the island. Le Jardin, located in Kailua, normally would need a half-hour or so to arrive at BYU-Hawaii’s Cannon Activities Center. However, with the road unpassable at Kahaluu due to flooding, the Bulldogs left campus extra early. It was an adventure first-year coach Makana Wade won’t forget.

“We were doing film around 2 o’clock, not even done. Then one of my players said, ‘Coach, the Google map is saying it’s going to take us 2.5 hours to get there. We packed our stuff, got in the van. Our amazing facilities lady, Rachel Stout, drove our van. I wish everybody could’ve seen that van ride. Three hours in the van. We went H-3, Mililani. I didn’t even know some of these roads existed until today,” he said.

The HHSAA called, asking if Le Jardin could make it in time for the 5 p.m. start, and whether rescheduling would be best. The D-I final between Punahou and Moanalua was postponed because neither team would’ve made it to Laie with the major traffic snarl.

“I’m looking at my van, guys having fun, getting locked in,” said Wade. “We’re just having a blast. No way we’re not playing tonight.”

His father, Charlie Wade, led UH to the national title on Monday. Makana Wade made it two weeks and two titles for the Wade ohana, which may be a first for any family in island volleyball history.

Le Jardin showed no sign of road fatigue, and neither did Pearl City. Bulldogs seniors Brennan Nakayama and La‘akea Kamahele led the way. Kamahele, a 6-foot-4 outside hitter, was efficient with 20 kills and just three hitting errors in 31 swings (.548). He added two aces, five digs and 1.5 blocks. Nakayama completed a stellar career as LJA’s setter with 39 assists and five digs.

Kamahele is heading to Long Island University. Nakayama will play at Arizona Christian. They have been schoolmates since preschool, played volleyball together their entire lives.

“It’s a surreal moment for us as a team, as a family,” Kamahele said. “We’ve been building on this for years. It just feels so good to come out on top in our last game. We have a lot of fun and keep a smile on our faces. Our focus has been a main point all season. We were physically ready last year, but I don’t think we were mentally ready. We really dialed it in this year.”

Wade is LJA’s fourth head coach in four years.

“Coach Makana has such a great mind for the game. He’s been around it his whole life and he got to share his knowledge with us,” Kamahele said. “I’m going to remember these times with my boys. I’m never going to forget this moment right here.”

Le Jardin’s roster stepped up with a balanced attack. Senior Jake Heidsieck tallied eight kills and six digs, while 6-3 junior Kala Fraser added seven kills (.700) and 3.5 blocks. Kyson Parker tallied two aces and a team-high seven digs.