Kahuku players celebrate after winning the OIA Red division title over Mililani. Greg Yamamoto | SL

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1025122033_KahMil 460.jpg - Greg Yamamoto | SL

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Kahuku fought off tenacious Mililani, 25-18, 25-23, 25-19, Thursday night to reclaim the O'ahu Interscholastic Association Red girls' volleyball title at McKinley's Student Council Gymnasium.

The Red Raiders (14-1), whose only blemish was a regular-season loss to White champion Farrington, had their three-year reign snapped last year by the Trojans (13-2). Mililani's only losses this season are to Kahuku, both in the double-elimination tournament.

"When we made errors, it was at the wrong time," Trojans' coach Val Crabbe said. "Not to take away from (Kahuku), even though it was only three sets, it was tight. I believe we played better tonight against them that we did Tuesday night."

In Tuesday's match, the Red Raiders need four sets to send the Trojans to the elimination bracket. Yet, despite having to beat Moanalua Wednesday to advance to the title match, the Trojans still played with high energy.

"Mililani is a really tough team," Kahuku first-year coach Camilla Ah-hoy said. "During the game, they had girls in there bringing it back. That's what keeps them in the game, their defense, their poise and everything they do.

"And their outside hitters, Jordyn Keamo and Inoa (Fields), they're the best outside hitters, I think, on the island. They could hit any shot."

The first set started off close before the Red Raiders closed the Trojans out on Sina Tonga's sixth skill for set point.

The second set was tied 11 times, the latest at 22 when the Red Raiders were called for a lift violation. Kahuku went ahead 24-22 before Jayrierra Kapowai's kill pulled the Trojans to within one. But Adora Anae's fifth kill of the set won it for Kahuku.

Down but not out, the Trojans jumped to a 10-4 lead and led 17-14 at one juncture. But Kahuku tied the set at 17, only to see the Trojans take the lead back on Inoa Fields' kill. But Mililani would struggled the rest of the way. A kill by Pati Anae tied it at 18. Two blocks - one by Penina Snuka and a combo from Adora Anae and Mariah Kamakeeaina put the Red Raiders up 21-18.

After a lift violation by Kahuku pulled Mililani to 21-19, the Red Raiders wrapped the match up with four successive points, the last on an ace on Snuka's wicked jump serve.

Kahuku athleticism was evident. Setters Snuka and Talia Brown also showed their hitting prowess.

"They're very versatile," Ah-hoy said. "They can hit and set. I can interchange them. A lot of these girls can play multiple positions.

The Red Raiders got help from just about everyone. And they needed everyone's help the way the Trojans kept fighting.

"At practice yesterday, I told them if everyone can play their role -- whether it's a serve or if you dig a ball -- put that all together, you're going to come out with a win," Ah-hoy said.

Kahuku, Mililani, Moanalua, Kalani, Castle and Pearl City all qualify for the Division I state volleyball tournament.

NOTE: The OIA website does not reflect all of Kahuku's girls' volleyball championships. Kahuku won titles in 1969 (not listed) and 1982, which shows Waianae as champion. Newspaper articles reported Kahuku winning the title in 1982, giving the Red Raiders a total of 12 championships.

Ah-hoy, a 2006 graduate of Kahuku who played at Oregon State, was a member of three OIA championships (2002, 2004 and 2005).