Moanalua still perfect

Once again, Na Menehune of Moanalua proved that it takes heart to become a champion.

The smaller Menehune used their relentless back row, led by Hula Crisostomo and Tayli Ikenaga, and a surprisingly effective block to overcome Kapolei 25-20, 27-25, 25-15 to capture the Oahu Interscholastic Association Division I girls volleyball championship on Wednesday night.

Ikenaga also had a team-high 16 kills as Moanalua captured its fifth OIA crown.

A raucous crowd at McKinley Student Council Gymnasium saw Moanalua finish the league season with a perfect 14-0 mark, handing previously unbeaten Kapolei its first defeat after 12 wins.

“The thing about this year’s team is they knew they had to play as a team,” coach Alan Cabanting said. “We didn’t have the big hitters like other years.”

One key performer on the attack was 6-foot junior Jeslyn Spencer, who had eight kills and a block.

“She stepped it up. We’ve been waiting on her and she got it going the last two (matches),” Cabanting said.

The glue to the attack in Moanalua’s 6-2 offense were setters Sara Ehnstrom and Emily Dulaney. Ehnstrom finished with 20 assists and four kills, while Dulaney tallied nine kills, nine assists and an ace. During the most crucial moments, especially in the pivotal, extended second set, Ehnstrom and Dulaney traded back-set dishes to one another for kills from the right side.

“I really love hitting the ball,” Dulaney said. “Sara makes it fun for me to hit.”

Moanalua will have the OIA’s lone seeded berth and opening-round bye at the upcoming HHSAA state championships. Kapolei, under coach Naidah Gamurot, has already qualified.

“Honestly, I feel we have a pretty good chance (at states),” said outside hitter Anela Pakaki-Pias, who led the Hurricanes along with Amryi Paris with 11 kills apiece.

“We have to clean up our unforced errors. It really hurts, but I’m proud of my team,” she said.

Kapolei had 18 hitting errors — Moanalua had nine — and committed six service errors.

Moanalua roared to a 9-1 lead in the opening set and was not seriously challenged. Dulaney had five kills in that game.

The second set was another quick start by Na Menehune, who led 6-1. The ’Canes rallied and had a 25-24 lead, but a hitting error gave Moanalua a huge break, and Dulaney and Ikenaga followed with kills to give their team a 2-0 lead in the match.

Moanalua’s first crown came in 2000 under Sheri Sagayaga, followed by a title in ’07 under Tommy Lake. The last three — in ’14, ’15 and this year — have been under Cabanting.