Every time Kaiser scored on a counterattack, Kahuku coach Makana Leiataua smiled inwardly.
The Red Raiders allowed a bevy of goals to the swift Cougars, but put away more than enough of their own in a 14-10 victory in the quarterfinals of the Stanford Carr Development/HHSAA Girls Water Polo State Championships on Thursday.
Oahu Interscholastic Association champion Kahuku (15-0) advanced to face Interscholastic League of Honolulu runner-up Kamehameha in today’s 6 p.m semifinal, a rematch of last year’s semi that the Warriors won.
Kaiser (10-6) was routed by the three-time OIA champs 17-5 in the regular season, but provided a much stiffer test on a bigger stage at Duke Kahanamoku Aquatic Complex. Leiataua was glad her second-seeded team — which she called "surfers trying to be water polo players" — experienced the tester before the rematch with Kamehameha.
"We’ve played Kaiser a lot, and we know they’re a good team, a fast team," Leiataua said. "I kind of like that they did use their speed and got some goals off of their counters. Now I can go back and tell my girls, ‘See, swimming is very important!’ It’s just a lesson learned in a big game like this."
Sophomore Paulina Germain and freshman Nohea Kahaulelio scored four goals apiece to lead Kahuku. Nohea’s twin sister, Kahea, added two scores, as did senior Sydney Foster.
Juniors Kira Fox and Jessica Watkins each notched a hat trick to lead Kaiser.
Kahuku jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the first quarter and appeared to be on its way to a blowout.
Kaiser trimmed it to 6-2 on a fast-break score by Taylor Bogdahn with 4:40 left in the second period. At that point, Leiataua inserted her subs for the rest of the period; she explained she wanted her starters to rest for the later rounds and get her second unit state experience. Meanwhile, Kaiser’s first unit capitalized to draw within 7-6 at halftime.
"We were feeling really good when we got close to them," Kaiser coach Sean Barrett said. "We know they’re a strong team. … Honestly, I just told my girls to just go out there and have fun. And once they started to have fun, they played easier, more relaxed, and their shots started to go in."
But Kahuku, unimpressed, came out with its big guns in the second half and reasserted control with superior strength and passing. Germain, swimming aggressively, scored twice in the span of just over a minute to open it up.
"We’re usually able to pick ourselves up pretty well, and come back pretty fast," Germain said.
Kahuku finished third in states in three of the past four years, falling to an ILH team in the semis each time.
"I feel like definitely we have a chance (this time)," said Germain, who played water polo for the first time last year. "As long as we keep it up, our team should stay strong."
After Kaiser got to within 11-9 with 1:30 left in the third, Kahuku got a Nohea Kahaulelio lob goal on the fast break and the margin got no closer the rest of the way.
Kapolei 12, Baldwin 4
Senior Demiana Gerber, sophomore Kayla Lanier and freshman Tiala Wendt had two goals each as the Hurricanes (14-2) handed the No. 4-seeded Bears (10-1) their first loss. Kapolei advances to a semifinal match at 7:30 p.m. today against No. 1-seeded Punahou.
Punahou 12, Waiakea 3
Senior Serina Shibata and junior Lauren Boyer had three goals each as the top-seeded Buffanblu (7-0) dominated the Warriors (10-4). Rachelle Krahner had two goals for Waiakea.
Kamehameha 11, Kamehameha-Hawaii 6
Senior Brittney Garrigan had four goals and junior Ciera Hill three as the Warriors (5-5) upset the third-seeded Warriors (12-1) of Hawaii island. Sydney Plunkett led KS-Hawaii with four goals.
Consolation score
Mililani 11, Roosevelt 5
