Iolani's Saige Kaahaaina-Torres serves the ball against Maryknoll in the Raiders' ILH season opener. CJ Caraang | SL

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Iolani setter Kristen McDaniel puts up a set for middle Sasha Petticord in the second set of an ILH D1 contest against Maryknoll. CJ Caraang | SL

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Iolani shook off a slow start and held the lead throughout Game 2 to sweep visiting Maryknoll in both teams' Interscholastic League of Honolulu Division I season opener Thursday night at Lower Gymnasium.

Reigning All-Hawaii Player of the Year Saige Kaahaaina-Torres put down a match-high 16 kills and sophomore outside hitter Elena Oglivie had nine kills and a match-high 15 digs to lead the Raiders (1-0) in a 25-21, 25-22 win.

"Glad to get this first one under our belt," said Iolani coach Kainoa Obrey. "It's a good way to start for sure. To get any win in our league, we're happy about it."

Iolani, the defending Division I state champion, played at a high level in the preseason with a pair of tournament titles before taking 12 days off before its next match. As the Raiders shook off some dust, the Spartans (0-1) were able to jump out to an early 3-0 lead.

"I think in the beginning, it was more of getting the feel of playing with each other again," said Kaahaaina-Torres, the lone senior on the team. "We haven't played since the Kamehameha tournament (on Aug. 19). I think that little break was rough in the beginning."

The Raiders, who are ranked third in the nation by PrepVolleyball.com, also had to go against a Maryknoll front line that featured four players that are at least 6 feet tall.

The Spartans read the Iolani attack well at times for seven total blocks, two of which came via a triple block. Jhenna Gabriel and Natalie Nava Minjarez combined for three blocks on Oglivie during a 4-0 run to give Maryknoll a 9-7 lead in the first set.

However, Iolani would make adjustments to counteract the Spartans' blocking scheme. Kaahaaina-Torres and Oglivie combined for seven kills off of the Maryknoll block to even out the points gained.

Kaahaaina-Torres, who is committed to the University of Missouri as a setter, credited junior setter Kristen McDaniel (25 assists) with neutralizing Maryknoll's size.

"I think the set location really helped," she said. "Kristen's sets were like hitting it right where the seams was and right where the blockers weren't closing, and I think that was super helpful. It made my job way easier."

While the Spartans started off the night with the right intensity, they ultimately were their own worst enemy with five service errors in the opening set, most of which came after Maryknoll had a side out.

"That really was the difference," said acting Maryknoll coach Kanani Medeiros. "We still have to fine tune some things. We'll work on it and get right back at it next week."

With momentum on their side after the first stanza, the Raiders jumped out to a 6-2 lead to start Game 2 behind four early kills and a block assist by Kaahaaina-Torres.

"She's one of those workhorses for us that want the ball," Obrey said of Kaahaaina-Torres. "She can be set the whole match if she had her way. It's good to have that kind of competitor on your team."

Oglivie also started to heat up with three kills during a 6-1 run that gave Iolani a sizable 13-6 lead.

With Kaahaina-Torres and Oglivie getting into the groove of things, the Raiders were able to lead by as many as nine points, 19-10, before Maryknoll called timeout.

The break in play was what the Spartans needed as they rattled off four straight points to force the Raiders to call timeout themselves.