If they play with a bit of an edge, the Roosevelt Rough Riders are just reminding everyone of one thing: They are after a state championship.

Roosevelt swept Leilehua 25-12, 25-14, 25-12 last night to capture the Oahu Interscholastic Association White Conference title on a muggy night in McKinley Student Council Gym. The win earned the Rough Riders a spot in next week’s Division II state tournament.

Kawai Oleole led Roosevelt (14-1) with 11 kills and Zoe Young added nine as the Rough Riders completed the double-elimination tournament unscathed. Two of the wins were sweeps of Leilehua (11-4).

"I’m happy for the kids," Roosevelt coach Pedro Velasco said. "They did a great job all-around. They knew how to take care of business. I liked the way they all came together."

The Mules got seven kills from Ashlee Vaoifi, but were plagued by communication errors and fatigue. It was their third match in as many days as they bounced back through the losers bracket.

Roosevelt was formidable, using multiple setters. Senior Kanoe Pupuhi was a settling influence with 25 assists and four kills. Rachel Ringor had four of Roosevelt’s 13 aces. Young, another senior, also had four aces, and Oleole added three.

Darcie Horiuchi chipped in with five kills.

"States is going to be different. We’re going to have to practice harder," Pupuhi said, looking ahead to the state championships, which begin on Wednesday. The D-II tourney will be in Honolulu.

Roosevelt hit just .152, but dominated defensively. Leilehua hit .036, committing 11 hitting errors.

The Mules stayed close in the opening set, leading 10-9 on a kill by Samantha Talaeai. Roosevelt went on a 14-1 blitz, getting three aces from Ringor along the way.

The second and third games were thoroughly controlled by the Rough Riders, who rotated reserves in liberally, though Velasco had Moemoe and Young on the floor for a good portion of Game 3 to seal the match.