The Roosevelt Rough Riders celebrate after a point in the third set of an OIA Eastern Division match against Kalaheo. Michael Lasquero | SL

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_17100416_GVB-10.3.17-ROOSvsKHEO-4430.jpg - Michael Lasquero | SL

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KAILUA — Roosevelt knew it had to win to keep its season alive.

The visiting Rough Riders rallied past Kalaheo, 18-25, 25-19, 15-12, Tuesday night at Pete Smith Court to clinch the final Oahu Interscholastic Association Eastern Division berth into the league's 12-team Division I playoffs.

The Rough Riders (6-5) snapped a three-game losing streak with the win, and in the process, ended the Mustangs' three-game winning streak to end their season at 6-5.

"We have been inconsistent our whole season. But making this comeback is very satisfying," said Vanessa Colling.

"We needed this one. We have been struggling all year, we have the ability but we haven't been able to click altogether at one time," added Roosevelt coach Puna Velasco.

Colling was everywhere on the court to lead the Rough Riders with 11 kills, nine assists, and 11 digs. She also had the match-clinching service ace.

"She's one of our better all-around players. Getting her to contribute in different areas, she's used to it now. We like her at setting and she likes playing center back so it's a mixup between the two," said Velasco.

Sierra Sagucio had a game-high 12 kills and Lauren Pau-De Santos added nine assists.

"Sierra did really well in the second set, she demanded the ball a lot more and our setters found her. Lauren and Vanessa have been more consistent tonight and that was huge. Everyone contributed to the win," said Velasco.

Both teams traded blows early on and Kalaheo tied the match at 8. Roosevelt took an 11-8 lead after Kaley-Joy Uchida's kill to force a Mustang timeout. Kalaheo battled back to bring the score within a point, 13-12, but Sierra Sagucio placed a kill and it was Colling who fittingly ended the set with a service ace.

"It makes me very happy because I've been struggling with my serving the whole season. Ending the regular season with an ace makes me feel accomplished," said Colling, on her ace.

"That felt good. If anyone can believe it, she's been struggling with her game," said Velasco.

After seven ties throughout the set, it was the home team that took control. The Mustangs took a 19-16 lead off of Brynn Dennis' ace and continued to fire away to win the first set 25-18.

"We were siding out consistently and we were playing a consistent game of taking care of the ball and less unforced errors and it worked in our favor," said Kalaheo coach Ed Chun.

"We were just not up for it. Kalaheo came out firing. Other than that, we found our groove in the second set," said Velasco.

Louise "Weezy" Singlehurst paced the Mustangs with six kills, and Kylee Wolff dished out seven assists, Christy Hopfe had a game-high 14 digs.

Kalaheo continued to roll into the second set and maintained a five-point cushion, but Roosevelt chipped away and tied the game at 18 after Sagucio's kill. The Rough Riders rode the momentum to finish the set on a 7-1 run to force a decisive third set.

"We found our groove in the second set and had a good lineup and I'm happy we fought through to the end," said Velasco.

"It was definitely a lot of unforced errors on our behalf. I told them we didn't do anything to control the emotional battle and that was our struggles coming out of timeouts to make sure we control the match. Lesson learned for the underclassmen and hope it's learning opportunity for them," said Chun.