Some mid-match improvisation worked wonders for the Mililani girls volleyball team.

Down a key player, it took the Trojans a while to find themselves against an upset-minded Radford team. But after weathering the Rams’ best shots in dropping Game 1, Mililani rallied for a 23-25, 25-12, 15-11 win on its home floor on Thursday night.

Radford, playing in the Oahu Interscholastic Association White West division, showed no fear early in taking it to Mililani, an OIA Red West team lurking just outside of the Star-Advertiser top 10. The Rams passed and attacked impressively in cruising to a 21-13 lead in the first set, then had to hold on tight to claim the frame.

A big part of Mililani’s early struggles was that one of its starting setters, Kaila Kikugawa, was away on a mainland trip. Enter junior Casie Gaza, who split duties with another teammate at the start of the match but assumed full-time responsibility by the second game, one of a few adjustments by Trojans coach Val Crabbe.

Gaza rewarded her coach’s faith with 22 assists and four kills, including timely dump shots to take Game 2 and establish match point in the shortened Game 3.

"The clubs really prepare us for this moment," Gaza said of the night’s full-time role. "It wasn’t anything new, but it was definitely a different lineup for us. I think that we did really good at adjusting to it. And it’s not only me; I think that my hitters really brought the best out of me tonight."

Junior Inoa Fields posted a match-high 14 kills and sophomore Jordyn Keamo added 13. Both were willing to improvise on offense with roll shots at unusual angles when necessary.

"We’ve been working a lot on offense and trying to change up all the shots, instead of pounding, pounding, pounding," Crabbe said. "Trying to mix it all up. Nice to see them applying it in the game."

The Trojans (2-0 OIA) settled down around Gaza, the two go-to hitters and solid back-row defense, and Radford (0-3) looked increasingly uncomfortable as its early successes were met with resistance. An inability to match solid starts has been a trend for the Rams.

"It’s hard to keep the motivation, the momentum on our side," Radford coach Candice Fujiwara said. "That’s our biggest problem so far. … We’re still growing and hopefully in a couple more games here, we’ll get it."

Senior hitter Imani Wimbush led the Rams with eight kills.