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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Tuesday, December 6, 2005

Diligence pays off for 'Aiea's Kleman-Maeva

By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer

'Aiea swept the OIA West honors for the second consecutive season, with Blythe Yamamoto, left, being selected Coach of the Year, and Lelani Kleman-Maeva named as the Player of the Year.

ANDREW SHIMABUKU | The Honolulu Advertiser

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How do you improve upon a Player of the Year season?

If you are 'Aiea's Lelani Kleman-Maeva, you mix in off-speed hits with your already powerful spikes. You read blocks and find openings in the defense, making yourself even tougher to stop.

You work on your other skills — like blocking, digging, passing and serving — to contribute in every area.

And most importantly, you lead your team to a second straight division championship despite tougher competition.

Kleman-Maeva did all those things, and again was rewarded with Player of the Year honors in the O'ahu Interscholastic Association's Western Division.

"This year, she is the total package," Na Ali'i coach Blythe Yamamoto said late in the season. "She can use the block, she's one of our best passers, she has a great serve ... There's nothing she can't do.

Kleman-Maeva, a 5-foot-11 senior is joined on the West's all-star first team by 'Aiea teammate Michelle Shiroma, a junior libero.

Pearl City is represented by three players — seniors Stacey Iwahashi and Tazha Passi and junior Jasmine Pahukoa-Malia.

Leilehua senior Isis Atualevao, Waipahu senior Amanda Misa and Mililani junior Jasmine Pratt round out the first team.

Yamamoto was named Coach of the Year for the second straight season.

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com.

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