HOMEGROWN REPORT
Vols' Mahelona revels in big victory over LSU
By Leila Wai
Advertiser Staff Writer
Raspy-voiced and going on three hours of sleep, Tennessee senior defensive tackle Jesse Mahelona spoke about Monday night's 30-27 come-from-behind overtime win at No. 4 LSU.
"I was yelling so much," he said. "We had (what seemed like) 5,000 fans going wild (back at Knoxville). Couches were on fire, and people were running naked down the road. It was crazy."
Mahelona, a 2001 Kealakehe graduate and All-American, finished with three tackles, including two for losses totaling three yards.
He said replacement quarterback Rick Clausen was the reason the team won, and not only because he threw for 196 yards, a touchdown pass and had a 1-yard touchdown run.
"Personally, I thought we were down, and coming from a captain that's not good," Mahelona said. "He was a big part of the turnaround."
Because the Vols beat LSU, they are still in the hunt for the SEC title.
"We are supposed to be playing USC in January. Damn Florida, we were supposed to win," he said of a 16-7 loss Sept. 17 to the Gators. "If we didn't win this game, the morale of the team would have been on the decline. We wouldn't be playing for the SEC championship or the national championship. But then again, I don't think our team would (get down on ourselves)."
He said the game was even more important because of the hostile atmosphere of the crowd.
"That stadium is a crazy environment to play at. The fans were throwing beer cans at us, they broke the mirrors on the bus as we were coming in. They were mooning us, the girls and the guys. I laughed, I like to see how wild people get."
MORE FOOTBALL
Junior defensive tackle Donny Mateaki (Iolani '02 of Honolulu) had two tackles for a loss of four yards, and sophomore nose tackle Wilson Afoa (Saint Louis '03 of Honolulu) had three tackles.
Senior defensive tackle Vaka Manupuna (Saint Louis '01 of Kihei) had one tackle.
Oregon juniors Enoka Lucas (center, Kamehameha '02) and Paluni Ma Sun (right guard, Kahuku), and redshirt freshman Max Unger (left tackle, Hawai'i Prep '04) all started on the offensive line.
Indiana State senior defensive back Rocky Alo (Kailua of Hau'ula) returned an interception 21 yards, and had one tackle. Senior linebacker Anipati Mailo (Kahuku '99 of Waialua) also recorded one tackle.
He led all receivers with nine catches for 102 yards.
WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL
Roberts had 17 kills and hit .560 with a pair of aces and four blocks in a 30-17, 28-30, 30-14, 30-16 win over Canisius (N.Y.) Saturday.
Earlier this month, she was named the Pepperdine Volleyball Classic Most Valuable Player.
Junior libero Kekai Crabbe (Kamehameha '03) is second on the team with 2.74 digs per game.
Lavarias recorded 11 digs in a 22-30, 30-20, 30-27, 28-30, 15-13 win against Santa Clara Sept. 17 and four in a 30-19, 29-31, 30-28, 30-22 win over Idaho Sept. 15.
Lee led Fairfield with 17 kills and 13 digs in a 31-29, 30-20, 30-22 win over Columbia, and 13 kills and 10 digs in a 30-19, 30-28, 30-27 win against Long Island in Saturday matches.
Sophomore setter Ashley Hanohano (St. Joseph '04 of Hilo) also had a double-double with 24 assists and 11 digs, and freshman setter Brandi Higa (Hawaii Baptist '05 of Honolulu) added 12 assists against Columbia. Against Long Island, Hanohano had 18 assists, and Higa added 11.
Lee had six kills and led Fairfield with 11 digs in a 30-21, 30-17, 30-27 loss to Albany Friday. Hanohano had 15 assists and Higa added 11.
MEN'S SOCCER
Gualdarama helped top-ranked New Mexico to a 2-1 overtime win over Tulsa Sunday, when he recorded his first career assist on the Lobos' first goal in the 64th minute on a cross.
WOMEN'S SOCCER
Chong scored in the 83rd minute after receiving a cross and shooting into the left corner of the goal from 20 yards out.
Lipsher had one save. She also had one save in a 1-0 loss to Virginia Monday.
Bourne crossed the ball from the left side of the field in the 68th minute.
CROSS COUNTRY
Punahou alum Pippa Macdonald, a member of California Berkeley's team who was running independently, was 46th in the short course 4K (15:43).
MEN'S GOLF
Akau shot 74-76-68—218. His teammate, junior Gabriel Wilson (Waiakea '03 of Hilo), shot 76-73-72—221 for a tie for 26th.
San Francisco freshman Kurt Nino (Damien '05) tied for 36th after shooting 75-78-71—224, and sophomore Moses Kahalekulu (Baldwin of Wailuku) tied for 42nd place (77-70-79—226).
Reach Leila Wai at lwai@honoluluadvertiser.com.
