Kamehameha fought off a fierce rally from ‘Iolani to earn a shot at defending its state title.

The second-ranked Warriors, winners of the past six Division I state championships, secured a spot in this year’s state tournament with a 25-16, 25-21, 14-25, 25-23 win over the Raiders on Tuesday at ‘Iolani’s gym.

Kamehameha rolled through an efficient first two sets, but ‘Iolani stormed back in the third to extend the match.

The Raiders rallied from a five-point deficit in the fourth set to tie it at 23-23. But Kamehameha senior Kawai Robins-Hardy put down her match-high 13th kill to force match point and an ace from Chelsey Keoho ended it.

" ‘Iolani’s a great team, they were playing like their season was on the line," Kamehameha coach Chris Blake said. "We’re very proud of our team to find a way to come back at the end of the match. … It’s a great team ‘W’ for us. We have a chance to get back in the gym tomorrow and get to work."

Kamehameha improved to 9-2 overall and 3-0 in the second round of the ILH season with one match left. The Warriors, who finished second in the first round, assured themselves of a top-two finish in the second round to clinch one of the ILH’s two state berths, along with Punahou (10-0, 2-0), the first-round winner.

The Warriors have a week off before closing the second round against Punahou on Oct. 18.

Seventh-ranked ‘Iolani (5-6, 1-2) needed a win on Tuesday to stay in contention in the second round and will close the season Friday against Maryknoll.

The Raiders gave Punahou a scare in a four-set loss last Thursday and nearly pushed Kamehameha to five. All of their ILH losses have come against Punahou and Kamehameha.

"Giving them a bunch of points in Game 1 and Game 2 really hurt us," ‘Iolani coach Jenic Tumaneng said. "But I’m glad about how the kids came back and continued to fight in the third game and especially the fourth game, just giving ourselves a chance."

Kawai and Alohi Robins-Hardy sparked Kamehameha early with eight kills each through the first two sets.

In the third, ‘Iolani senior Kamea Chock posted three blocks in a 9-0 Raiders run on their way to a 21-7 lead. Chock, who finished with seven blocks, teamed with Eesha Chun-Dela Cruz on a block to send the match to a fourth set.

Kamehameha built a 23-19 lead, but ‘Iolani ran off four straight points, tying it on freshman Anna Uhr’s third ace of the set. Blake took a timeout and Kawai Robins-Hardy hammered a kill off the ‘Iolani block.

"Everyone wants that opportunity," Robins-Hardy said of taking a pivotal swing.

Keoho’s next serve went off an ‘Iolani player and rattled among the beams overhead then dropped to the court to end the match.

"It was a big relief, trust me," Robins-Hardy said.

Alohi Robins-Hardy finished with 11 kills for Kamehameha. Misty Ma‘a had 10 kills and two aces, and Haley Paakaula had 10 kills and two blocks.

Chun-Dela Cruz and Hoakalei Dawson led ‘Iolani with 10 kills each.