Kamehameha gets rematch after win over Mililani

The dream ended for the Mililani Lady Trojans, who were outgunned by six-time defending state champion Kamehameha 25-13, 25-10, 25-20 in the second semifinal at McKinley.

Amanda Wasko, Misty Ma‘a and middle blocker Haley Pa‘akaula had nine kills apiece for Kamehameha (12-3), which will meet rival Punahou tonight in a rematch of last year’s state championship match.

“I think we just worked on trying to avoid the block and hit the right spots,” Wasko said of one of her best matches.

Kamehameha coach Chris Blake was pleased.

“They played together. We worked on some things today, tightening up a lot of things, execution and doing what we have to do to take care of our side,” he said. “Mililani’s a great team. We saw some stuff on tape and tried to move out and knew where (Jordyn Keamo and Inoa Fields) were. We gave them different looks. They’re smart hitters, so we showed them one thing for a little bit, then changed things up.”

The Warriors were simply too solid in every way against Mililani (15-2), the Oahu Interscholastic Association champion. Their serve game was dominant, with Wasko, Kalepa and super sub Faith Ma‘afala taking the Trojans out of their flow often. Wasko finished with two of her team’s four aces.

Chelsey Keoho led the back row with 12 digs and Kalepa had 11. Ma‘a and setter Alohi Robins-Hardy had seven digs each.

Robins-Hardy had 36 assists as the Warriors hit .318 despite 15 hitting errors.

Keamo led Mililani with four kills, typifying a tough offensive night against a big Kamehameha block. The Trojans hit -.047 with 21 hitting errors. Casie Gaza had 11 assists, six digs and all four of her team’s aces. Keamo and Emilee Craig had seven digs apiece. Kaila Kikugawa added five digs.

The Trojans led the third set 10-9 after three consecutive aces by Gaza. Kamehameha rallied and had a 21-20 lead when Ma‘a drilled a kill, Pikake Laumauna (six kills) roofed Fields and Wasko had an ace to complete the sweep.

Blake didn’t let himself get too excited — yet — about facing Punahou in the final.

“They’re a great team,” is all he would say.

Wasko elaborated a bit more than her coach.

“We’ve been looking forward to this game our whole season, so I think we’re ready. We want to play tomorrow,” she said.

For Mililani, overcoming bigger teams all season long was the norm, at least until Kamehameha stepped up. Trojans coach Val Crabbe applauded her squad.

“I think they’re amazing. They did a good job. Our girls definitely have the hearts of lions,” she said. “At some point, the height takes over. The height takes over in the back (row). The little guys gotta move their feet more. The big ones lunge and they’re there. The height is a factor in the front and the back.”

Division I consolation

The Mules toppled the top-ranked Eagles in a wild five-set victory, 25-16, 16-25, 25-14, 23-25, 15-13.

Leilehua’s Ashlee Vaoifi hammered 21 kills to thrust the OIA runners-up into the Division II State Championship today against St. Francis.

CJ Asuncion posted 17 kills for Hawaii Baptist, followed by Tiffany Thompson with 15 kills. Kayla Kilaulani added 14 kills for Leilehua.

Koloia Atoia-Williams racked up 13 kills to lead the Saints over the Lancers 25-16, 25-14, 25-23.

Sacred Hearts’ Shawna-Lei Santos recorded a match-high 14 kills and two aces, but it wasn’t enough to beat St. Francis.

Angel Savea added nine kills, a block, and two aces for the Saints.

Division II consolation