Warriors grind past Buffanblu in straight sets

Kamehameha setter Lexis Akeo puts up a set for middle Braelyn Akana in the second set of an ILH D1 match against Punahou. CJ Caraang | SL

KAPALAMA HEIGHTS — Second-ranked Kamehameha jumped on No. 3 Punahou early in the first set before toughing out a tight Game 2 to down the visiting Buffanblu in straight sets, 25-16, 27-25, at Kekuhaupio Gymnasium Thursday night.

The Warriors were able to rally from 6-0 and 16-9 deficits in the second set to improve to 3-1 and pull into a tie for first place with No. 1 Iolani in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu Division I standings.

"We were down a whole bunch, but (we talked) about trusting our process and what we can do to do things, and I think our kids found a way to fight it out," Kamehameha coach Chris Blake said on his team's Game 2 comeback.

"For us to pull out a two-set win against a very, very good team like (Punahou) is a good ‘W' for us, a good team win."

Junior setter Lexis Akeo, a three-year starter, was proficient at the controls with 29 assists to six different hitters. She also got involved in the offense with three dumps, with her final kill of the night giving Kamehameha its first lead of Game 2, 21-20.

Akeo credited her teammates' ability to control the first touch for her offensive output.

"The passes were really well and it allows me to help the team out by getting kills, so the passes really helped me do that," said Akeo, who added six digs and two blocks.

Senior outside hitter Kili Robins and junior middle Braelyn Akana were the biggest beneficiaries of Akeo's assists, notching 13 and nine kills respectively. Robins was able to post back-to-back kills on three separate occasions and Akana helped the Warriors side out seven times.

"Brae and Kili are our captains and they are definitely people that I look up to," said Akeo. "Their leadership is really well, and we all know we can count on them and they have our backs."

Keonilei Akana added six kills and Malie McClure chipped in three more to round out the leading hitters for Kamehameha. Kalina Obrey and Maluhia Maa also notched kills. Libero Kealani Ontai was also key with 10 digs and three assists.

Reach Michael Lasquero at [email protected].