Punahou sweeps Moanalua to set-up title match against Kamehameha

CJ Caraang | SL

SALT LAKE — It will be another Interscholastic League of Honolulu showdown for the state crown.

Top-seeded Punahou swept Moanalua while Kamehameha handled second-seeded Kahuku in straight sets Friday night to set-up Saturday's Division I title match of the New City Nissan Girls Volleyball Championships.

The Buffanblu (12-2) saw three players put down 10 or more kills to pull away from Na Menehune, 25-14, 25-18, 25-9.

Lucky-Rose Williams and Grace Fiaseu each had 11 kills to lead the attack. Belle Iosua added 10 kills with two blocks, Lulu Uluave had eight kills with 11 digs and Haumea Marumoto added six kills with two blocks to round out Punahou's top attackers. Setter Jaclyn Matias was solid at the controls with 42 assists and Melie Vaioleti and Sammy Okano added 15 and 13 digs respectively to lead the back row effort.

Punahou jumped out quickly out of the gate with the first four points, but Moanalua's Malu Garcia was able to generate back-to-back aces to tie the first set at 4. The Buffanblu then went on a 5-0 run that was aided by three Moanalua errors and built on the momentum to take the opening frame. Punahou was also able to generate many points off of quick sets to its middle blockers in the first set.

The second set was a little closer to start with both teams trading points until the score was tied at 10. Momentum shifted in the Buffanblu's direction after a service error, a kill by Williams and a free-ball kill by Okano gave Punahou a 13-10 lead.

After a TV timeout and another quick timeout by Moanalua coach Alan Cabanting, Na Menehune got within a point after back-to-back kills by Kelia Giusta. Moanalua (14-2) would not get any closer however and Punahou was able to pull away in dominating fashion.

"We wanted to attack the middle early on, which opens it up for our outside hitters," said Punahou coach Tita Ahuna. "Our hitters played so well, as well as our blocks so we can play defense. I thought our overall game was great, but Moanalua is a good team. They're so intense. I just love the way they play."

Was it the best that Ahuna's team has played this year?

"I think the best is yet to come," she said. "I thought we played well enough to gain momentum into tomorrow's match."

Punahou will be trying for its 11th state title when it takes on the Warriors at the Neal Blaisdell Arena. It will be the sixth meeting between the two teams this year, with the Buffanblu besting the Warriors four times already. Punahou swept Kamehameha twice early in the season and won back-to-back four-set matches against the Warriors to close out the ILH season.

"Kamehameha is going to bring their guns out. We just have to be ready," said Ahuna.

Garcia and Giusta each had eight kills to lead Na Menehune in the loss.

Kamehameha (11-5) took care of Kahuku (13-2) in the first semifinal with scores of 25-13, 25-20, 25-15 behind Devin Kahawawai's 16 kills.

Adrianna Arquette added 10 kills with five blocks to help power the Warriors, who will be seeking their 23rd state title on Saturday.

Kamehameha has only beaten Punahou once this year, which came in a five-set win on Oct. 19.

Chalei Reid, Makayla Fonoimoana and Emmalei Mapu all had six kills to lead the Red Raiders in the loss.

Reach Michael Lasquero at [email protected].