KS Maui boys volleyball Warrior Manaloa Aikala played against his brother, Ke Aliʻi Makolea Aikala at the King Kekaulike High School gym on April 3, 2012. (This date was incorrectly reported in the original article.)

“It was very competitive because we were really eager to play against each other,” junior Manaloa said. “Both of us wanted our teams to win.”

This is Manaloa’s first year of volleyball. Manaloa said he tried out for volleyball because it was a “good option.”

“Manaloa always plays with all his heart,” KS Coach Robert Brede said. “He always fixes his mistakes. He may be new, but he is getting better and is making progress.”

Manaloa earned a starting position as an outside hitter.

Makolea Aikala, his brother, is a senior at King Kekaulike High School and is a team captain for Nā Aliʻi

“I took it as a challenge,” Makolea said. “Being the older brother, losing wasn’t an option.”

King Kekaulike Coach Kilohana Miller is the new head Coach for Nā Aliʻi and has has known Makolea for only one year.

“He is almost like the backbone of the team,” Coach Miller said. “He is quiet, but is our most consistent player.”

The brothers both have their different stregths and weaknesses.

Makolea played well, setting, passing and hitting well the entire night.

“I am stronger than Manaloa at passing, setting and hitting.” Makolea said.

“I am taller than my brother, and I can jump higher so I am better blocker.” Manaloa said.

Though these two brothers had their own story for the evening, there was still a game to be played, and in the end, Nā Aliʻi beat the Maui Warriors in three sets.

Nā Aliʻi were able to keep the Warriors to only 10 points in the first set, which ended, 10-25, with a kill by Nā Aliʻi setter John Eddins.

The Warriors were still slow to come alive in the second set, though junior Kahiau Andrade managed three kills and roofed an attempted kill by Nā Aliʻi. The second set ended 12-25, with another King Kekaulike win.

In the third set, the Warriors came closest to a win with the smallest point gap being four points.

Kahiau Andrade, Erin Lindsey and Tana Tua all got kills during the final set, which ended 21-25 with a kill by Ke Aliʻi senior Kamaka Kanae.

The loss brings the Maui Warriors’ record this season to 1-6. Their next game will be Thursday, April 5, in their home gym. They will face the Baldwin Bears for the first time in this regular season.