Punahou's Larry Tuileta puts a kill attempt past the Iolani block. Peter Caldwell | SL

Purchase image 1 of 4

Punahou's Danny Andrews rockets a kill past the Iolani block. Peter Caldwell | SL

Purchase image 2 of 4

Iolani's Zachary Buscher attempts a dink shot against Punahou. Peter Caldwell | SL

Purchase image 3 of 4

Punahou's Trent Thompson hits a ball cross-court against Iolani double block. Peter Caldwell | SL

Purchase image 4 of 4

Long after the crowd cleared out of the Iolani lower gym Friday night, the Punahou boys volleyball team was still hitting the ball around.

The Buffanblu had much left in the tank after needing just 43 minutes to romp the host Raiders in an Interscholastic League of Honolulu Division I match.The scores were 25-13 and 25-17.

"Our game plan was to come out and really just play more as a unit, because in our past games, we've played as individuals not really coming together to talk about our errors or kind of correct certain plays," said senior outside hitter Larry Tuileta, who put down a match-high eight kills. "I think thats what helped us stay as a team and celebrate plays together and just to push through this match"

Punahou, the two-time defending D1 state champion, clinched a state-tournament berth by improving to 10-0 and winning the ILH regular season. Iolani fell to 4-4.

"This is big. We talked about it, but I don't know if the guys fully understand how big this was," Buffanblu coach Rick Tune said. "We're in the tournament and getting in there is always a very blessed thing and special; it should be celebrated. We've gotten there pretty frequently and sometimes it might get overlooked, but it shouldn't."

Serving was an area of strength for Punahou Friday. It got eight aces in the match, including two apiece by Kelsey Yogi and Micah Maa.

"We wanted to try and put some pressure on them serving-wise so that they couldn't pass because they like to run some crazy offensive schemes," Maa said.

Punahou separated early in both games and was never really threatened. Tune went deep into his bench throughout the match.

"We don''t have a guy on our roster unless we feel that we can play him against anybody and I tell the guys this all the time, that we have 15 guys and I feel comfortable playing all 15 and there's a core group of guys — probably about 10 of those guys — that I feel real comfortable starting," Tune said. "They show it everyday in practice — we split up into two even squads and they just go at it — you should see practice, it's very competitive. I think it speaks to the depth of this group and the belief that we can put anybody in at any time and it'll be OK."

The Buffanblu went on a 9-2 run midway through the opening set that was capped by one of Tuileta's five kills in the game that made the score 22-10.

Game two began with a 4-0 Punahou lead and quickly stretched to a 14-7 advantage on a Taylor Wiens kill from the right side. Iolani pulled to within 18-13 on a Buffanblu service error, but the visitors answered with a 5-1 run and held on for the sweep.

"We wanted to do some things," Tune said. "I don't think our serving accuracy and consistency is where we needed it to be, but we were trying to be a little more aggressive with our serves tonight because we know some of our opponents next week are going to require us to have some real tough serving."

Tune said it was the first time in his coaching tenure at Punahou that one of his team did not drop a set all season.

"I think since I've starting coaching in 2008, I don't think we've done it — even with the real special teams that I've had in 2009 and 2010," Tune said. "In 2010 we didn't drop a match, but we definitely dropped a set, so yeah, I guess it's pretty tough."

The Buffanblu will play host to a four-team tournament that includes a pair of top-ranked teams from Southern California and Big Island Interscholastic Federation front-runner Kamehameha-Hawaii Friday and Saturday.

"Those two teams coming in for the Clash of the Titans — Mira Costa and Corona Del Mar — are two of the top five teams in the country, so it's going to be an excellent tournament," Tune said. "If people want to see real good volleyball, they should definitely come to the matches next week. We're going to see some real top flight volleyball."