Short-handed Menes handle visiting Knights

Moanalua celebrates after beating Castle in straight sets. Brandon Ching | SL

Moanalua was without a handful of key pieces, but Na Menehune was still able to get it done over visiting Castle with a straight set sweep in Oahu Interscholastic Association Eastern Division action Thursday night.

Na Menehune, ranked fourth in the ScoringLive/Hawaiian Electric Boys Volleyball Power Rankings, defeated the Knights with set scores of 25-17 and 25-8 to improve to 5-0 in league play.

With senior hitters Kainoa Ferguson, Duncan Clark and Caleb Casinas, as well as setters Nicholas Au and Kylan Tomita away on a mainland trip, Moanalua utilized all of the eight remaining players on its lineup against Castle's 11-man rotation.

Kalai Leopoldo shouldered the load offensively with a match-high 13 kills with six digs and Cole Fukumitsu piloted the team with 14 assists.

DiAeris McRaven was solid in the middle with five kills and four blocks while Makanamakalani Spencer was a threat from the service line with five aces.

Libero Sterling Sakuma and Max Slaughter led the back row effort with nine and eight digs respectively.

The Knights, who suffered their second straight loss and dropped to 3-2, was led by Craig Albinio's five kills and Austen Anduha's match-high 14 digs.