Top-seed Kamehameha dispatches Kahuku in four to reach semis

Kamehameha players celebrate after a four-set win over Kahuku. Peter Caldwell | SL

Top-seed Kamehameha-Kapalama advanced into the semifinals of the New City Nissan/HHSAA Division I Girls Volleyball Championships with a 25-27, 25-22, 25-18, 25-14 victory over Kahuku at Koaia Gymnasium on the Kamehameha-Hawaii campus.

The Warriors came out looking a bit out of sync early and the Red Raiders took advantage, seizing the opening set 27-25. Kahuku continued to build momentum and led 16-12 in the second. The ILH champions turned things around from that point, and eventually won set two, 25-22.

Kamehameha assumed control of the match from this point, winning by seven points in the third before taking the fourth in blowout fashion.

Alohi Robins-Hardy was dominant, and just a dig shy of a triple-double performance, posting 13 kills, 23 assists, 9 digs, 6 blocks and an ace on the evening. Tiyana Hallums added 11 kills and 13 digs and Faith Ma'afala 22 assists to go along with 2 blocks and 4 aces.

Kahuku's Adora Anae notched 16 kills, 5 digs and 2 blocks, and Talia Afalava 12 kills and 6 digs. Setter Talia Brown dished out 40 assists and added 10 digs.

Next up for Kamehameha is Moanalua, a straight set winner over fourth-seeded Kamehameha-Maui, in a 5:00 p.m. semifinal back at Kamehameha-Hawaii.

Leading the charge for Na Menehune was Lia Gaogao, who slammed down a match-high 18 kills and served up a key ace to win the opening set. Shaylah Kagehiro tallied 34 assists, 3 aces and 4 digs, and Arendia Ruiter had 5 digs and 4 blocks.

Kamehameha-Maui's Patricia Batoon had 9 kills and 4 blocks for the Warriors.