Punahou's Tui Tuileta challenges the Maryknoll block. Peter Caldwell | SL

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Defending state champion Punahou began their road to a title defense taking the first set 25-12 from Maryknoll in a match played at the Spartans gym. However the home team came back in set two, winning 25-18, as Punahou went with some of their reserves.

Back came the Buffanblu starters for the deciding third set, but the momentum had swung to the Spartans on the strength of kills by outside Tufanua Iuvale and the solid setting of Sky Engleman.

Tied at 23-all, the match went down to the wire until a Kupono Fey kill decided it for Punahou at 25-23.