It won’t be long before Keani Passi will be far, far away from the islands, walking in a land of potatoes.

In Twin Falls, Idaho, Passi will attend the College of Southern Idaho and play volleyball.

"I know it’s a really good school and there’s a really good volleyball program there," she said before the title match of the third annual OC 16 Senior Invitational last night at McKinley Student Council Gym.

"I know there’s a Target there," she said.

Passi was one of dozens of seniors enjoying one last swing through high school competition thanks to the exhibition tourney, a brainchild of OC 16 sports director Dave Vinton.

Passi, a heavy-hitting senior, led Pearl City to its best season in years. The Chargers finished first in the Oahu Interscholastic Association Red West and made the state tourney before losing to eventual champion Kamehameha in the opening round.

"They just have that mentality where they know what to do," she said of Kamehameha, which won its sixth state crown in a row. "I’m not disappointed. We did well, really well for not being in states for a long time."

The future is a question mark for many of the talented seniors who played last night before a statewide TV audience. Several players are still weighing options.

"It’s a best-of-the-best. It’s fun to challenge different girls from the ILH. I’ll possibly see these girls, play against them in college," said Passi, whose North team played for the OC 16 title against a West squad led by setter Kayla Kawamura.

The HBA senior is having fun with new teammates.

"All the girls are really nice and open to each other, so that helps," she said. "They want to have fun."

Moanalua middle blocker Coty Barrientos was a "fill-in," she said, but has seen her share of action for the West team.

"It’s fun, but competitive at the same time. You get to experience playing with new players. It’s different. On a regular team, you all think on the same wavelength," Barrientos said, adding that her setters, Kawamura and Kaiulani Ka’alekahi (University High), have sent her plenty of quick sets.

With that, at least an hour before game time, North players were lacing up their shoes and getting their game faces on. Even in an exhibition, they all wanted to win.