Trojans’ time has come

With their backs against the wall, the Mililani Trojans got defensive, and for the first time in 23 years, they are the OIA boys volleyball champions.

Mililani, the top seed out of the West, got five blocks in the final set, including two by middle Andrew Valladeres, to upset six-time defending league champion Moanalua in a 25-19, 25-21, 18-25, 20-25, 15-10 thriller at James Alegre Gymnasium.

Mililani (13-0) had gone without a league title since the string of three crowns in 1992-94, when Domingo Raquedan was head coach.

The Trojans’ current head coach, Trenton Niino, got a stellar performance by a team that he described being in “rebuild” mode at the start of the season. Instead, they peaked at the right time, stifling Moanalua’s normally efficient attack in the first two sets. By the fifth game, it seemed Na Menehune had all the momentum, attacking from left, middle and right against a tiring Trojans squad.

Instead, Mililani perked up. Better known for his exploits on the gridiron, Valladeres edged Mililani to a 9-7 lead with his first block of the final set. After a kill by Sila Fuiava (16 kills) from the right side, the run continued with a block by Nathaniel Johnson (16 kills) on Moanalua’s Nalu DeMello (17 kills) for a 12-8 lead.

Valladeres then roofed Moanalua’s 6-foot-4 middle Duncan Clark, for a five-point margin. After a desperate left-handed tip by Johnson landed softly for a kill, Moanalua’s Kalai Leopoldo (17 kills) was wide right on his swing, ending the match as the Trojans and their fans celebrated.

“I feel ecstatic,” Niino said. “All the hard work, running in the (football) stadium, the three-hour practices. I’m so proud of our guys.”

Sophomore Chance Guillermo dished out 45 assists and had four kills to go with three key blocks. The Trojans outblocked Moanalua 12-6.

Samuel Polompo, their other middle, added eight kills and three blocks, while Valladeres added five kills. Brandon Rabang had three key kills in the final two sets.

Bhrycen Asuncion added nine kills for Moanalua (13-1) and Clark finished with 12. Caleb Casinas added five kills and senior setter Zackary Miyamoto had a whopping 57 assists.