All Wilhelm Wagner wanted from his Waianae Seariders was all the same effort that carried them to the OIA Division II girls volleyball playoffs.

“I didn’t want them overthinking. I think that’s what we did against Anuenue,” the coach said of their semifinal match.

The Seariders followed his lead in a 25-15, 25-13, 25-19 sweep of Roosevelt to capture the OIA D-II championship before roughly 1,500 fans at McKinley Student Council Gymnasium.

Juniors Tayzia Pakele and Jasmine Fonoti powered Waianae (9-3), which finished first in the D-II West standings. Pakele was steady and consistent with four kills in each set for a total of 12, while the high-jumping Fonoti added seven kills and two blocks. Her persistence and energy at the net led Waianae’s block.

“We played our best today,” said Fonoti, a 5-foot-9 middle/outside hitter. “We played together and we played as one. We believe in each other, we trust each other and we got each other’s backs.”

Senior Tequila Faasavaliu led Roosevelt (7-6), the first-place team from the East, with nine kills. Junior Sierra Sagucio added four kills, and sophomore Vanessa Colling chipped in two kills, two aces, nine assists and a block.

It was a tough night against a tall Waianae block for the Rough Riders, who hit -.010.

Enee Tiolu pounded eight kills and two assists for Waianae’s balanced attack. Kamila Marinas added six kills, and Jorene Ulu and Acazia Tolentino delivered 14 assists and one ace apiece.

Wagner, a longtime coach, credited his assistant coaches for providing a little extra push all season.

“I knew we could achieve a championship, but I didn’t expect it. Our assistant coaches just wouldn’t settle for less,” he said.

The Seariders pulled away early and dominated most of the first set. They led 9-2, saw Roosevelt cut the lead to two points, and then went on a 13-2 run to win going away.

The Rough Riders, who led briefly in the opening set at 1-0, rallied in the second game for a 7-5 lead after a kill by Kuualohapau‘ole Lau. The Rough Riders still led 11-9 when Waianae’s balance and depth took command. The Seariders went ahead 12-11 on a dig and accidental kill by Fonoti. They went on a 16-2 run to end the second game.

The third game was close for several points before Waianae went on another run against the struggling Rough Riders. The Seariders led 23-12 before Roosevelt mounted a mini-rally to cut into the final margin.