Kahuku upends previously unbeaten Kapolei to reach OIA D1 final

Michael Lasquero | SL

Kahuku will close out its OIA campaign the way it started it, facing off with division rival Moanalua with the winner taking home a league crown.

The Red Raiders took down previously unbeaten Kapolei, 25-18, 23-25, 25-21, 25-23, in what amounted to nine sets played in about 24 hours between them.

Emmalei Mapu led all hitters with 16 kills and added two blocks, while Makayla Fonoimoana put up 15 kills to go along with a block, an ace, an assist and 14 digs.

Kapolei's duo of Kailana Andrade (11 kills, block, ace) and Alizaysha Sopi (10 kills, 3 blocks, assist) put up solid numbers and the Hurricanes also outblocked Kahuku by a 12-9 margin, but the Red Raiders came up with timely points when it needed to.

In set three, the Red Raiders seized control late on a pair of Fonoimoana kills to push the margin to 23-18, and then benefitted on a mishandled ball to take the set.

Set four proved even more clutch. Down 23-21, Kahuku rallied back in a big way, with a Fonoimoana kill followed by an out ball to tie the score, then a Madison-Marie Mamizuka ace to get to match point. The rally in sert four was completed when a Kapolei attack sailed long to end it.

Both teams already qualified for state tournament play, along with Moanalua, Mililani, Waianae and Kaiser.