Mililani sweeps Nanakuli

A loud and competitive girls volleyball match between the division’s top two teams ended in shock, silence and some jeers.

No. 9 Mililani swept Nanakuli 25-23, 25-23 in Tuesday’s OIA West regular-season finale at Nanakuli. The Trojans got the win after the Golden Hawks were called for a rotation violation on the match’s final play. Nanakuli had seven players on the floor when the whistle blew for its turn to serve.

"We wanted to be No. 1," said a teary-eyed Natalia Kaopua, who led Nanakuli (8-2) with eight kills.

Kristen Miguel led Mililani (9-1) with 12 kills. The senior outside hitter had big kills and kept talking to her teammates late in the match. She wanted to make sure the Trojans were covering the empty spots on the floor.

"I just wanted to put everyone on the same page and keep everyone calm," Miguel said. "That’s my main goal."

After trailing 7-2, Nanakuli rallied to tie it at 20 in Set 2, then led 22-21 after Ashley Van Gieson’s kill. Mililani rallied for a 23-22 lead after kills from Kyrstin Chang and Katie Asberry. A Nanakuli hitting error put Mililani at match point, but Kaopua’s kill from the back cut the deficit to 24-23.

The seventh player was still in the process of exiting the floor when the whistle blew for Nanakuli to serve the ball. The referees briefly conferred before calling the match.

The ending dampened an exciting and competitive match on Nanakuli’s senior night. The Golden Hawks stuck with the defending OIA champions the entire way and found success this season behind a new setter in Van Gieson.

"They were playing smart. They were doing exactly what we were told to do, tip in the empty holes," Miguel said. "They were doing it well. I believe it was a great game."

Mililani called a timeout down 21-18 in Set 1 and after the timeout, Nanakuli was called for a rotation violation. Kaopua discussed the call with the referee and the call was reversed. The Golden Hawks extended their lead to 23-21, but a Nanakuli error and block by Miguel and Sarah LeGalley tied it at 23.

Kaopua hit into the antenna after a Nanakuli timeout. Hope Carter’s kill capped a 4-0 run.

"Everyone just kind of trusted each other, trusted in themselves mostly," Miguel said.

"Our outside hitter Kyrstin, she went up and swung, she didn’t tip the ball. She went up with confidence. That’s really the key for our game."