Kamehameha's balance, serve overwhelm third seeded Baldwin

Greg Yamamoto | SL

Kamehameha notched a straight set win over third-seeded Baldwin, 25-9, 25-15, 25-16, and in the processed punched a ticket to the HHSAA Division I tournament semifinals.

The Warriors, ranked second in the latest Power Rankings, got six aces and 20 assists from setter Sierra Scanlan and a game high 12 kills from Nadia Koanui.

"We were serving a little better (than usual) today, we were hitting our spots a bit more," said Scanlan.

And while Baldwin certainly struggled to find consistency in serve-recieve, where it showed in the number of total aces (11), an in ability to manufacture sideouts proved costly as well.

Kamehameha went on scoring runs in each of the three sets played. A 9-0 spurt put the game well in hand in the first set, a 6-0 outburst midway through set two proved key and a 10-1 run in the early stages of the third dug the Bears into a hole too deep to climb out of.

Devin Kahahawai was held to just five kills and Robins just a pair of kills, but the Warriors had more than enough offense to get the job done thanks to the service line and a balanced attack.

"Focus for me was balance the offense especially because we're going to playing some better teams soon and they are going start stacking on Devin and Maui, so I think getting everyone involve will help and maybe even create one on ones for Devin and Maui," said Scanlan.

Adrianna Arquette and Moana Peaua chipped in five kills each in the middle and Tia Kapihe four more, and Payton Oliveira added two aces.

Up next for Kamehameha is much anticipated clash with OIA champion Kahuku, who also won in straight sets.

"The main thing they have is lots of energy, and us coming out flat is not going to be good for us, so I think we just have to come out and match their level of energy," said Scanlan.

Baldwin got eight kills and a block from Faith Alvior in the loss.

Kahuku rolls past Hilo, into D1 semifinals

Makayla Fonoimoana had 11 kills and two blocks and Emmalei Mapu 10 kills and four blocks in the Red Raiders 25-11, 25-14, 25-16 sweep of Hilo in the first game of the night at McKinley's Student Council gymnasium.

The Red Raiders never trailed in the match and built a 12-1 advantge in the third set that allowed the OIA champion to steadily insert most of its bench by the conclusion of the match.

Kahuku's setting tandem of Madison Mamizuka and ShaCe Niu combined for 31 assists and Mele Taumoepeau added 10 more.

To the Vikings' credit, the BIIF representatives closed the third set outscoring the Red Raiders, 8-4, before surrendering the match point on a serve that went well beyond the end line.