Two days removed from a tough loss to a rival, the Kamehameha boys volleyball team pulled together to post a bounce-back win over Maryknoll on Thursday.

The fourth-ranked Warriors began the week by getting swept by Punahou on Tuesday, and fell behind early in both sets against No. 7 Maryknoll. But they rallied both times in a 25-20, 25-19 Interscholastic League of Honolulu Division I victory at Maryknoll’s Clarence T.C. Ching Gymnasium.

Following the Punahou loss, the Warriors spent more time in conversation than on the court in preparing for their next match.

"We didn’t really have practice," Kamehameha senior Kamuela Grugier-Hill said. "We just kind of talked about what needed to be done."

Grugier-Hill’s 11 kills on Thursday helped the Warriors get back on track as Kamehameha improved to 6-2 in ILH play. Grugier-Hill was also in on two blocks, and Savili Bartley finished with nine kills.

"We have recently rebuilt our teamwork, our team concept," Kamehameha coach Kainoa Downing said. "As long as you play for your teammates, your school, your family, then you can get through hard times. When you break apart and play as individuals you’re going to lose fast."

Kamehameha hit a rough spot early in the match, falling behind 10-7 in the first set. Bartley then put down four kills and teamed with Grugier-Hill on a block in an 8-1 Kamehameha run. Maryknoll (4-4) battled back and closed to 21-20 on a kill by Gabriel Shimizu, but Kamehameha scored the final four points of the set.

"That’s the heart you have to have," Downing said. "They’re not splintering, they’re just hanging in there and working and that’s a credit to the kids."

"In the beginning of the season we weren’t really as tight but we’re getting really close," Grugier-Hill said. "It’s starting to click a little better."

Maryknoll went on a 6-1 run in the second set to force Kamehameha to take a time out, and the Warriors again responded to pull ahead. The Warriors maintained the lead and Grugier-Hill closed out the match with three kills in the final four points.

Junior Tufanua Iuvale led the Spartans with eight kills, primarily hitting out of the middle, and a block.

"They’re athletic, and we showed our moments," Maryknoll coach Shawn Doo said, "It seemed like we only played up to 12 points, lost focus and tried to refocus again and Kamehameha is too good of a team to give them that lead late in the game."