Mid-Pacific is hitting its stride at the right time while creating school history.

The Owls (13-2) upset top-seeded Damien for the second straight time Thursday night in four sets to secure its first ILH Division II girls volleyball championship.

After losing the first set 21-25 in front of a raucous crowd at the packed Damien gym, Mid-Pacific swept the next three sets, 25-17, 25-22, 25-23.

“We have a lot of seniors and wanted to make the most of it,” said Owls setter Emma Porter, who finished with 41 assists. “I tried to move the ball around, tried to mix up my sets so the blockers wouldn’t know where I would set. It worked. Sometimes we had one-on-ones.”

Team defense and the hitting of middle Kaehu Keala (25 kills) were also big ingredients in the win. Keala and Amy Warrington clogged up the middle on potent Damien hitter Shelby Capllonch, who still managed 20 kills.

“The Mid-Pacific defense was really good,” Monarchs coach Don Faumuina said. “They did their homework on us. They were in the right places and they were able to pick up balls and were reading Shelby fairly well. Defense, that’s what saved them.”

The Monarchs (13-2) got through the ILH D-II season unscathed, but have fallen on hard times after the two straight losses to the Owls.

Both teams will play in the D-II state tournament next week.

“I would like to see them again in the finals,” Faumuina added. “We would love that challenge.”

Damien was without key performers, including Heavenly Campbell (knee) and Rayne Pactol. In addition, setter Elsa Radovan slid and hurt her ankle in that crucial fourth set and had to be helped off the court.

”I wouldn’t be really surprised if we see them in the finals at states,” Mid-Pacific coach Tommy Lake said. “Shelby is such a beast. They (the Monarchs) are going to be a tough team, still. Tonight, we tried to stay really steady and be as consistent as we could. I’m glad we got through this match. I’m real excited for the girls. They get to play another week.”

In the deciding fourth set, Damien appeared to be en route to bringing it to a fifth, and the crowd erupted when Capllonch nailed down a set from Del Kalulu-Sugai, who was setting in place of Radovan, for a 20-15 lead. But six errors, including four in a row through match point, finished the Monarchs’ chances.

Earlier, Damien controlled the first set, taking a 5-4 lead and never looking back, although it got as close as 24-21. The second set went Mid-Pacific’s way in much the same fashion, with the Owls ahead 20-17 and getting to the finish line.

There were nine ties in the third set, including Keala’s two kills that tied it at 22 and gave Mid-Pacific a 23-22 lead. A Damien hitting error and a kill by Shyla Sato closed it out.

“I know we’re not known as a volleyball school,” Keala said. “This year, the underclassmen and the seniors all get along and are on the same page with the same goal. We’re happy to be making history.”