Micah Maa put down 12 kills and 10 digs in the Buffanblu's straight set victory over King Kekaulike. Peter Caldwell | SL

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05161556_1307_StatesSemis_041.JPG - Peter Caldwell | SL

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SALT LAKE — Punahou advanced to its 11th straight state title game with a straight set victory over King Kekaulike in the semifinal round of the New City Nissan/Hawaii High School Athletic Association Division I Boys Volleyball Championships Friday evening.

A crowd of 650 were on hand at Moanalua's gymnasium as the Buffanblu defeated Na Alii, 25-13, 25-8 and 25-20. Punahou will face Kamehameha-Hawaii, who defeated Na Menehune in four sets, in the title match.

"Each one is really special," said Punahou coach Rick tune. "I think the players know that its not a foregone conclusion that we make it every year. I hope they understand what a special opportunity is in front of us."

Micah Maa hit .647 on the night and finished with 12 kills and 10 digs to lead the Buffanblu. The versatile Wil Stanley added 10 kills, 15 assists, six digs, two block assists and an ace in the win. Todd Gruebner supplied 20 assists and middle Akahi Troske put four kills and five block assists.

Punahou turned it up in the second set to give itself a commanding two set advantage.

"Coach Rick gave us a game plan in the second set and we just followed it," said Stanley. "We just clicked on all cylinders and put it all together."

King Kekaulike battled back and kept things close in the third set, never trailing by more than five points until the match was over. Na Alii made it a one-point game, 18-17 on Colton Cowell's kill, but gave up two points and was forced to call timeout.

Cowell's tip out of the timeout helped Na Alii regained the serve. Stanley returned the favor with a kill off the feed from Gruebner. King Kekaulike got the next point on an attack that went off a block attempt, but could not over come Punahou's diversified attack down the stretch. 

"That set helps us a lot because they challenged us," said Stanley.

Cowell had seven kills to lead Na Alii. Ian Martins and Izaiah Manrique combined for 16 assists and Lionel Mills had King Kekaulike's only ace of the game.