Leilehua defeats Kalaheo in four


The Mules celebrate a hard fought 4 set victory over Kalaheo to advance to the OIA White final against Roosevelt. Greg Yamamoto | SL
Leilehua defeated Kalaheo in four sets, 25-17, 22-25, 25-22, 25-22, last night to advance to today's O'ahu Interscholastic Association White Conference finals against Roosevelt.

The match is set for 5 p.m. at McKinley's Student Council Gym. Roosevelt, 13-1 in league play, is unbeaten in the modified double-elimination tournament and can win the championship with a victory. If Leilehua (11-3) wins, there will be a winner-take-all rematch Saturday.

Last night's victory at Farrington was the Mules' first over Kalaheo (12-3) in three tries this season. After the Mustangs tied the match at one game apiece, Leilehua used a 7-1 run to turn a 15-13 deficit into a 20-16 lead in the second set.

Kalaheo got as close as 23-22, but a serving error and freshman Ashlee Vaoifi's kill put the Mules ahead, two games to one.

The fourth set was tied at 18-18, before a kill by Tatiana Alailima gave Leilehua the lead for good.

The Mustangs kept it close at 21-20, but two serving errors helped the Mules stretch it to 24-21 and another serving error ended it.

Kalaheo is now the OIA's third seed in next week's Division II state tournament and will begin play in Wednesday's first round.