Punahou's Micah Maa puts a kill past the Moanalua double block. Peter Caldwell | SL

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032815_1306_IolaniT3_137.JPG - Peter Caldwell | SL

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Micah Maa put down 12 kills with eight digs to help Punahou sweep Moanalua, 25-16, 25-23 in the eight annual Hawaii Boys Volleyball Invitational final at Iolani's lower gymnasium Saturday afternoon.

It was the fourth time that the Buffanblu claimed top honors in the tourney. The defending state champions defeated a handful of current league champions in the three-day tournament, never dropping a set in six games.

"Just playing great teams make you even better," said Maa, who signed his letter of intent to play for UCLA. "They put up a fight and that's what we needed. It's going to help us a lot down the line."

Punahou won the first set with relative ease after jumping out to an early 12-2 lead. The Buffanblu's early lead was due to their ability in neutralizing Moanalua outside hitter Austin Matautia. The 6-foot-4 junior was held without a kill in the opening set.

"We had a game plan and we tried to execute it as best as we could against a really great player," said Punahou coach Rick Tune. "We were fortunate to come up with some plays."

Leading the Buffanblu's defensive charge on the front line were Wil Stanley, Sam Bradley and Hunter Johnson. The trio accounted for eight blocks, six of which came in the first set.

"Those guys were on fire," said Maa. "I was sitting back there playing defense and I didn't see a place for him to hit. Austin is a great hitter, but they just had a solid block."

Stanley had a great all-around game, adding six kills, four digs and eight assists. Setter Todd Gruebner dished out 16 more assists and Rohan Watamull knocked down six kills with five digs.

For Moanalua, it was an invaluable learning experience for its younger players that weren't in the rotation a year ago.

"They finally played a really top team in that set," said Moanalua coach Alan Cabanting, whose team has yet to drop a set in league play. "They now know how fast the game goes. They're learning and understanding what it is that they need to do now to get better."

Na Menehune started to find its groove in the second set and really started to test Punahou. After Karson Cruz's block gave Moanalua its first two-point lead of the match, 9-7, Punahou called timeout.

"We started to be more focused, more in the game," said Alan Cabanting. "Those inexperienced players, after that one set, they understood ‘this is what I have to do to make plays.' We started tougher and we were in it a little bit more."

Moanalua held its own for the next couple of plays until Stanley's block off a tip attempt regained the lead, 12-11 for Punahou, prompting a Moanalua timeout. Another timeout was called after Punahou went up, 15-12.

With the three-point cushion, Punahou was able to maintain the lead until the match-clinching point.

Matautia finished with three kills, three blocks and three digs for Na Menehune. Cruz added four kills and two blocks. Juniors Kamalu Kaaa and Seyj Engleman combined for seven more kills. 

Moanalua returns to league play with a home game against Roosevelt Monday. Punahou will host Kamehameha in its next match Thursday.