Moanalua players celebrate after a point scored against Leilehua. Peter Caldwell | SL

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Leilehua's Toma Savea is met at the net by Moanalua's Luuga Vailuu and Karson Cruz. Peter Caldwell | SL

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Leilehua's Devin Ke-a puts a kill attempt down against Moanalua. Peter Caldwell | SL

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Leilehua's Pomai Cozo puts up a set against Moanalua. Peter Caldwell | SL

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Moanalua's Karson Cruz puts down a kill attempt against Leilehua. Peter Caldwell | SL

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KALIHI – Moanalua proved that it is head and shoulders above the rest of the league Thursday night, sweeping Leilehua in straight sets, 25-18, 25-12, 25-17, at Farrington’s Richard S. Kitamura Memorial Fieldhouse.

A crowd of about 200 saw Moanalua, the Oahu Interscholastic Association Red East top-seeded team, takedown Leilehua in the winner’s bracket finale. The victory punches Na Menehune’s ticket into the OIA Red Division Championship game that will take place a week from now.

“It’s really big win,” said Moanalua senior outside hitter Dustin Carrier. “It gets us set up for the championship game and for states. It’s a good build up to what we have coming in the next week.”

It was a total team effort for Na Menehune as seven players combined for 37 total kills, 17 more than the Mules. Moanalua’s Luuga Vailuu led the way with a match-high 11 kills. Carrier was second on the team with eight kills. 

“I think everyone was really focused and was into the game today,” said Carrier. 

Setting up Moanalua’s offensive attack was senior setter Skylan Engleman with 31 assists. Engleman’s prowess in setting up his teammates also allowed him to score three kills on dumps. 

“It’s really rewarding because everyone just complements each other,” said Engleman. “I just feel blessed to have guys like them.”

Spearheading Na Menehune’s defensive effort was junior Karson Cruz. The 6-foot middle blocker finished with a match-high six blocks. Cruz also chipped in five kills. 

“I was feeling it today,” said Cruz. “Our coaches told us that (Leilehua’s) middle is strong. Coach asked me to step up and I took the challenge.”

Moanalua coach Alan Cabanting also made sure to give credit to libero Austin Amian who finished with 17 digs.

“The guy that nobody ever hears of because he is constantly passing and digging is our libero Austin Amian, who is a great complement to the group,” said Cabanting.

Leilehua, the OIA Red West top-seeded team, dropped their first game of the year to fall to 12-1. They will take on Kalaheo in the consolation bracket final in hopes to face Moanalua for the league championship. That game is slated for Tuesday, Apr. 22 at McKinley’s Student Council Gymnasium. Leilehua won the first meeting against the Mustangs in four sets, 25-19, 25-22, 27-25, 25-23. 

Max Aiono led the Mules in the loss, finishing with five kills and nine digs.

Moanalua took an early 8-3 lead after a 5-0 run and never looked back, coasting to win the first set 25-18. 

The second set was much more decisive. After a David Tibayan kill to pull the Mules within two, 8-6, Moanalua rattled seven straight to put the game out of reach 15-6. Na Menehune clinched the set with an amazing dig from Engleman that led to a Carrier kill. Moanalua took game two, 25-12.

Leilehua played the third set much closer, tying it at 7-all at one point, and trailing by only three, 19-16, at another. However, Leilehua only could muster a Dakota Soliai kill the rest of the way and Moanalua completed the sweep, 25-17. 

Moanalua will await the winner of the consolation bracket final to determine its opponent in the OIA Red Championship game. That game will follow the OIA White Championship game on Apr. 24.

“When we play as a team, I think the sky is the limit for us,” said Cabanting.