Sasha Petticord helps ‘Iolani block Kapolei in state volleyball opener

The 6-foot-2 girl in the middle tipped the scales for ‘Iolani in its sweep of Kapolei on Monday night.

Sasha Petticord was in on six blocks to lead the Raiders to the 25-19, 25-16, 25-15 win on their home court in the Division I first round of the New City Nissan/HHSAA Girls Volleyball State Championships.

“Sasha has been playing really well,” ‘Iolani coach Kainoa Obrey said. “Obviously, her length helps. As the first defender at the net, she is huge for us. She makes their hitters choose to do different shots. She covers a lot of ground and gets a lot of good, solid blocks for us.”

Petticord and her co-blockers’ ability to close the holes in front of powerhouse Hurricanes hitter Alizaysha Sopi kept Kapolei down. Sopi managed 12 kills, with most of them coming in the latter stages of the match.

“We had to close the block because she can find the seam,” Petticord said about Sopi.

The ILH runner-up Raiders (9-5) move on to play MIL champion and third-seeded King Kekaulike (14-0) in Thursday’s 7 p.m. quarterfinal at Moanalua gym. They’re trying to recoup the state title they won two years ago that was taken away by ILH champion Kamehameha last year.

“King Kekaulike is big and they have a lot of good hitters and I think it’s going to be an interesting game,” Petticord said.

Elena Oglivie pounded down 15 kills with 11 digs for ‘Iolani against Kapolei. Izzy Sakoda added 10 kills and Kristen McDaniel had 33 assists.

With the ‘Iolani defense concentrating on stopping Sopi, the Hurricanes’ Kawehi Marinas found some holes for eight kills. Middle Angel Nahinu added six kills for Kapolei.

“Kawehi came to play today and she was really aggressive,” Kapolei coach Naidah Gamurot said. “ ‘Iolani is real disciplined and solid. When we took the lead in the first and third sets, they just stayed the course. Our players did really well this year. They had that attitude of ‘I want to play, I want to learn, I have to learn’ and so that’s what they focused on.”

The Hurricanes led 5-2 in the first set, with the Raiders eventually taking control after a 10-all tie by building an 18-12 lead. Kapolei made a strong comeback to 22-18 before getting closed out. The second set was not much of a contest, with ‘Iolani taking leads of 8-0 and 20-11 and not looking back. In the third, the Hurricanes led in the early going, including 8-4 at one point, but the Raiders charged back and never trailed after Lily Wahinekapu’s block fell for a 10-9 edge.

Moanalua 3, Kamehameha-Maui 0

Jeslyn Spencer put down a match-high 13 kills and Tayli Ikenaga added 11 as visiting Na Menenue beat the Warriors 25-8, 25-20, 25-18.

Moanalua (12-3) advanced to the quarterfinals for the seventh time in the past eight years and will play No. 1 overall seed and defending champion Kamehameha at 7 p.m. on Thursday at McKinley.

Tatiana Martinez had four kills and two solo blocks for KS-Maui (8-6), which lost in the opening round for the sixth straight year.

Kahuku 3, Farrington 1

Makayla Fonoimoana-Vaomu finished with 18 kills and five aces as the host Red Raiders defeated the Governors 16-25, 25-22, 25-19, 25-12.

Keau Kamake‘eaina had 36 assists for Kahuku (13-2), which will play No. 4 seed Hilo at 5 p.m. on Thursday at McKinley.

Saryiah Kahakai recorded 15 kills and Khylene Pasion-Nau added 13 for the Governors (11-5).

Kamehameha-Hawaii 3, Waianae 2

Nani Spaar had 33 kills and Tiani Bello added 26 as the host Warriors outlasted the Seariders 17-25, 25-22, 22-25, 25-20, 16-14.

Sierra Scanlan recorded 55 assists for KS-Hawaii (17-1), which will face No. 2 seed Mililani at 5 p.m. on Thursday at Moanalua.

The Warriors scored the final two points on a kill by Spaar and a hitting error.

Heipua Tautua‘a finished with 17 kills and Cherish Borge added 15 for the Seariders (11-4).