Kapolei's Olivia Transfiguracion serves the ball against Mililani in the first set of an OIA Western Division match Wednesday night. Michael Lasquero | SL

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Kapolei middle blocker Michelyn Pililaau attempts a kill against Mililani in the second set of an OIA West matchup. Michael Lasquero | SL

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Kapolei setter Olivia Transfiguracion sets the ball in the second set against Mililani as middle blocker Michelyn Pililaau looks on. Michael Lasquero | SL

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MILILANI — The connection between Olivia Transfiguracion and Michelyn Pililaau extends far beyond the volleyball court.

The cousins were in sync Wednesday night as Pililaau put down a match-high eight kills and Transfiguracion had 20 assists to lead Kapolei to a 25-15, 25-18 sweep of host Mililani in the Oahu Interscholastic Association Western Division opener for both teams Wednesday night.

The Hurricanes (1-0) used early 6-0 runs in both games to create separation and outside of a late run in set 2 by the Trojans (0-1) were never really threatened.

"I think we did really good. We kept our foot on the gas, we didn't let up or anything and we just pushed as one team all the time," said Transfiguracion, a 5-foot-6 junior setter.

In the opening set alone, Pililaau, a 5-foot-10 senior middle blocker, registered six kills and Transfiguracion notched 14 assists.

Kapolei seized control early on. Anela Pakaki-Pias's kill from the left side ignited a 6-0 run that included three aces by libero Tiffany Mook, and gave the visitors ahead 9-3 in game 1.

Later in the set, Transfiguracion served up an ace of her own to cap a 4-0 run that stretched the Hurricanes' lead to 16-7. Mililani rattled off the next four points, but a 5-0 Kapolei run that included a pair of Pililaau kills made it 22-12.

The Hurricanes closed out the opening set with back-to-back kills from the left side by Pakaki-Pias and Alexis Mareko.

Kapolei middle blocker Michelyn Pililaau attempts a kill against Mililani in the second set of an OIA West matchup. Michael Lasquero | SL    Purchase image

Game 2 was more of the same. After the Trojans tied it at 5 early on, Kapolei used a 6-0 run to pull ahead for good. Part of the run included a Mililani over pass that Transfiguracion slammed down for her lone kill of the night.

Consecutive errors by Kapolei pulled Mililani to within 20-18 later in the set, but the hosts returned the favor, committing four errors in the next five points to allow the ‘Canes to close it out, 25-18.

Kapolei coach Naida Gamurot said it was nice to see her team seemingly put it together after an up-and-down preseason.

"The Kamehameha tournament was like the biggest roller coaster ever, but the University tournament last weekend we won all of our sets in that one, so we're starting to get there. I feel really good about this performance," Gamurot said.

Gamurot said, however, she's still in the process of putting the puzzle pieces together.

"We have a bunch of first-year people and they're talented physically, but it's a lot more than just bump, set and spike and they figured that out in the Kamehameha tournament," Gamurot said. "With the returnees we kind of know where they're going, but we're trying to figure out how do we work the new people in and that's really tricky, because there's such a momentum gap between the two."

Amryi Paris and Pakaki-Pias had five kills apiece and Mareko added three. Paris, a 5-foot-11 senior outside hitter/opposite, was also in on three blocks and reserve middle Angel Nahinu chipped in with two blocks.

Falanika Danielson led Mililani with five kills.

Both teams reached the Division I state tournament last season. Kapolei finished fifth and went 14-3 overall in 2016, while Mililani posted a 12-2 mark last year and was ousted in the first round.

The Hurricanes will host Waipahu next Wednesday, while the Trojans will visit the Chargers.