Waimea sweeps University Lab to reach D2 final

Greg Yamamoto | SL

For the first time in school history, Waimea will be playing for a state title in girls volleyball.

Led by a match high 17 kills from Raelee Samio, the Menehunes swept past University Lab, 25-21, 25-13, 15-15, in the first semifinal of the New City Nissan/HHSAA Division II Girls Volleyball Championships at Kaimuki High School gymnasium.

Samio added nine digs, three aces, a block and an ace, Titi Alquiza seven kills and Kierstin Gummerus 13 digs and two aces for the KIF champions, who hit .222 for the match and outdug the Jr. Bows 54-40.

University Lab had more hitting errors (24) than kills (23) and hit -.009 in the match. Milan Ah Yat led the Jr. Bows with seven kills, but needed 31 swings to do so.

Setter Braeanna Moises had 34 assists to go along with nine digs, two aces and a kill for the Menehunes, who will face Damien, who outlasted Seabury Hall in a five set thriller in the second semifinal of the evening, in the championship match, set for Saturday, October 26 at 5 p.m. at the Neal S. Blaisdell Arena.