Close. And then not close at all.

Kahuku’s pressing defense, offensive speed and a stellar performance by senior Kayla Chang in goal proved to be too much for Kapolei in the second half in Saturday’s Oahu Interscholastic Association girls water polo battle of unbeatens.

Led by sophomore twin sisters Nohea and Kahea Kahaulelio, the Lady Raiders used a 5-1 third period to break away for a 9-4 victory over the Hurricanes at Veterans Memorial Aquatic Center.

Reigning OIA champion Kahuku takes a 10-0 record into next week’s regular-season finale against Kalani, with Saturday’s victory clinching the top seed in the league tournament in two weeks.

It was the first loss for Kapolei (8-1), which needs a win against Mililani next week to secure the No. 2 seed.

Although the Lady Raiders have been averaging double-digit scoring this season, coach Makana Whitford-Leiataua said she wasn’t concerned when it was 3-3 at halftime. She had sat the Kahaulelios for the first period because they were late to a practice earlier in the week. Plus the team had to change its practice routine when their regular practice pool at BYU-Hawaii was closed.

"We ended up in Pupukea in a private home running practice," Whitford-Leiataua said. "And if you’re late, you don’t play in the first period."

Kapolei took advantage of the twins’ absence, scoring the opening goal just two minutes in on Doran Bosque’s close-range shot. Kalani Richeson answered with a perfectly timed lob over Hurricanes goalie Tiana Wendt into the left corner.

Ellie Williams put Kahuku up 2-1 at 6:20 of the second only to have Kapolei capitalize twice seconds into power plays. Kayla Lanier and Brooke Bosque scored within 57 seconds of each other to put the Hurricanes up 3-2.

It would be the last lead for Kapolei. Kayla Gillman tied it late in the second and Kahuku scored in a flurry in the third, with Kahea Kahaulelio putting the Lady Raiders ahead for good at 6:24 and sister Nohea adding two quick goals within a 31-second span for a 6-3 margin.

"We were waiting for the ‘wonder twins’ to get in the game," Kapolei coach Dex Lee said. "With them in, they are able to press really well and the passing got harder for us. They were really aggressive. They’re really good.

"And their goalie stepped up quite a bit, showed good leadership. But I though our goalie played well, too. They got 9 (goals), but they had to earn them."

Kapolei’s final goal came at 4:31 in the third after Kahuku was called for a double foul, sending both Paulina German and Kahea Kahaulelio to the penalty box. Lanier rebounded her missed shot off the right post to drop it in past Chang.

The lone goal of the fourth was a power play score by Jake Anderson into the right corner.

Whitford-Leiataua credited Chang’s play as key to the undefeated season.

"If we do anything good this year (in the state tournament), it will be because of her," the coach said. "She always works hard, wants to get better. We finally have a goalie coach (assistant Matt McDonald) and it’s made a difference."