Kailua rallies past Castle in three sets

Kailua OH Amber Tai puts a kill past the Castle block. Tai had a season-high 15 kills to lead the Surfriders. CJ Caraang | SL

KAILUA — The slump is over.

Senior outside hitter Amber Tai pounded out a season-high 15 kills to help Kailua snap a four-game losing streak with a three-set win over Castle at Harry Murai Gymnasium Monday night.

The Surfriders defeated the Knights, 20-25, 25-23, 15-11, to improve to 3-5 in the Oahu Interscholastic Association Eastern Division standings.

Castle, who was playing in its sixth three-set match of the year, suffered its fifth straight loss and dropped to 1-7.

"I think it was really big, especially since our boys' football homecoming is coming up against Castle this week too," said Tai, who added three digs in the win. "I think we really needed this because we all were kind of in a slump."

Kailua earned the win with its main setter Aigafealofani Tigilau sidelined with an injury. Sophomore Elikapeka Kupahu-Phillips took over the setting duties and did an admirable job, finishing with 16 assists to go along with five digs, two aces, two kills and two block assists.

"She's a great player," Tai said of Kupahu-Phillips.

Honesty Kanoa added three kills and eight digs while Christine Atonio and Finausulieti Tuifua chipped in two kills apiece. Senior Lajoie Lindsey also had a kill to round out the Surfriders' attack.

The Knights' serving game helped them take the opening set as they totaled six aces in a 25-20 win.

Castle nearly completed the sweep when it led 23-22 in the second game, but two kills by Tai and an attack error helped Kailua tie the match at one set apiece.

"They kind of relaxed and we let them sneak back in there," said Castle coach Grant Tolentino. "Kailua came back and snuck up and got us in the butt."

The two teams traded points in the final set until back-to-back kills by Tai and an ace from Tuifua gave Kailua a 13-10 lead, forcing a Castle timeout. Kupahu-Phillips' dump out of the timeout gave Kailua match point and Tai was able to end it two plays later.

"Going in with the win during the second set helped a lot, and our communication helped a lot too," said Tai. "I think we all kind of took a second and realized that we want this, and we needed to do whatever we can to get it."

Teila Kapihe and Tihani Ehia had eight and seven kills respectively to lead the Knights in the loss. Castle sophomore Tiara Hookano had a solid all-around game with 10 assists, nine digs, four aces and three kills while libero Cybelle Murakami had a match-high 12 digs to lead the defensive effort.

Reach Michael Lasquero at [email protected].