Iolani's Cole Hogland puts down a kill down the middle against HBA's Shanden Adriance in the opening set. Michael Lasquero | SL

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_18022821_BVB-2.27.18-IOLatHBA-1952.jpg - Michael Lasquero | SL

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NUUANU — Iolani spoiled Hawaii Baptist's first Division I appearance with a 25-17, 25-23 win to open Interscholastic League of Honolulu play at Dan Liu Gymnasium on Tuesday.

"We have a lot of respect for HBA," Iolani coach Jordan Inafuku said of the season-opening win. "This was a big match for us, especially the first match. You never know what you're going to get. We're pleased with our preparation and our performance." 

After winning seven-straight Division II state titles, the Eagles moved up to Division I this season for the first time since 2006. To open the season against last year's ILH runner up was a good benchmark to see where things were at.

"It's a great opportunity for our school and our program to see where we're at and how much better we need to get," HBA coach Teoni Obrey said.

Cole Hogland — who has committed to play at the University of Hawaii — led Iolani with 11 kills, Ryan Van Cantfort added nine kills and Shane Harimoto distributed 30 assists.

Michael Johnson led HBA with 12 kills and Eric Wong added seven kills, and Davin Rausch contributed 21 assists.

Iolani took control and led, 11-6 and 16-9, to force the Eagles to call time to talk it over. HBA trailed by as much as nine but managed to cut it down to six, 22-16, to make things interesting, but Hogland landed a pair of kills to clinch the first set.

"It was a lot of first-game nervousness and playing outside of ourselves. Hopefully we will learn from this and get better for the next time. We have to get better controlling our side," said Obrey.

Inafuku, on the other hand, was pleased with his team's performance and the output from the offensive end.

"We had to focus and we've been focused on the match for a while. I thought we executed well," said Inafuku.

The Raiders and Eagles traded points early to start the second set until Iolani held a 9-6 advantage. Iolani started pulling away as it attacked from all angles and held a five-point cushion twice in the latter part of the set.

"We wanted to control the ball so we can use all of our options. That was the main focus to get the offense running that way. We wanted to be diverse," said Inafuku.

Despite chasing points throughout the set, HBA settled down and gained momentum to pull within one, 24-23, after Johnson's kill and Iolani called timeout. Following the timeout, Johnson served the ball into the net ending the match.

"We were chasing and we got used to the placement of their hits. We were able to adjust better, but we have to be able to adjust quicker if we're going to be competitive," said Obrey.

"We have some real good leaders on our team," Inafuku said of the timeout. "It was back to focusing on siding out and controlling the ball and keeping the right focus and intensity."

HBA goes to Kamehameha on March 6, while Iolani travels to Maryknoll on March 1.

"You have no time to relax. You have to get better for the next match," said Inafuku.

"We look forward to be pushed and come in with a game plan, and how we adjust will be key for our kids. Every point is important and we have to keep challenging ourselves," said Obrey, on the next four-game first round stretch.

The Eagles and Raiders will play each other again to close the ILH regular season on April 5.