Ann Kang Invitational opens today

By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer

Some of the top high school girls' volleyball teams in the country and perhaps the best player in the nation will highlight the Ann Kang Invitational Volleyball Tournament starting today at 'Iolani School.

Matches run all day through Saturday in the lower and upper gyms.

"It's going to be promising," 'Iolani coach Jenic Tumaneng said of the 16-team field. "Last year's California Division I, five of the top seven teams are here."

Renown California teams include last year's runner-up Redondo Union (Redondo Beach), Wilson (Long Beach), Los Alamitos, Harvard-Westlake (North Hollywood), Corona Del Mar and Newport Harbor, both of Newport Beach, and Mira Costa (Manhattan Beach).

But defending tournament champion Kamehameha is not among the 16 teams. Tumaneng said it did not respond to an invitation.

Mira Costa boasts 6-foot-3 junior outside hitter Falyn Fonoimoana, niece of Olympic beach volleyball player Eric Fonoimoana. She has already verbally committed to Southern California.

"She is perhaps the best prep player in the country regardless of class," wrote John Tawa of PrepVolleyball.com in an e-mail.

Hawai'i has its share of talent in the tournament. Returning for 'Iolani is junior Malie Soon and for Punahou is junior outside hitter Anuhea Keanini. Both were Advertiser first-team all-state selections last season.

Pool play runs today and tomorrow. The top two teams from each of the four brackets advance to Saturday's championship round, while the rest of the field goes into bracket play Friday. Saturday's championship starts at about 6 p.m.

Admission is $5 for adults and $2 for children 12-years-old and under.

Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com.

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