Leilehua holds off Kahuku in playoffs

David Tibayan drilled 11 kills and had three blocks as unbeaten Leilehua held on for a 25-16, 25-19, 17-25, 25-17 win over Kahuku on Thursday night in the second round of the OIA Red boys volleyball playoffs.

Dakota Soliai added 19 kills and four aces, Max Aiono tallied nine kills and four aces and Toma Savia added nine kills for the Mules. Senior setter Pomaikai Cozo was steady and precise with 27 assists.

"We talk about goals at practice, improving on our mistakes," Cozo said.

Leilehua (11-0) will meet No. 9 Kalaheo, which rallied past Mililani in an earlier match 20-25, 25-18, 25-14, 25-16. The match will be played on Tuesday at Radford.

Kahuku (5-6), the seventh-place team in the Red East, knocked off Waipahu on Tuesday to reach the second round — and the double-elimination format. Sophomore Micha Maiava pounded 12 kills and had one block to spark Kahuku, a team with all underclassmen. Middle blocker Noel Thorp added six kills and two blocks, and freshman Keaunui Ah You had five kills and three blocks. Freshman setter Cameron Renaud dished 27 assists.

Kahuku will meet Mililani on Tuesday at Kaimuki High School in an elimination match.

A boisterous crowd of about 200 at Leilehua’s Paul T. Kobayashi Gymnatorium saw the Mules, ranked No. 6 in the Star-Advertiser Top 10, overcome a determined rally by the visitors. Leilehua won the first two sets handily, but the Red Raiders seized momentum in the third set. Maiava, a 6-footer, had five kills as Kahuku zoomed to a 13-5 lead and was not seriously challenged.

The Mules moved Cozo back to setter at that point, but Kahuku was on fire.

"We lost our spirit and we lost our focus. We had a hard time getting back in it, but we finished the game strong," Mules coach Ernest Balignasay said.

The Red Raiders’ momentum carried into the fourth set. They led 13-10 after an ace by sophomore Jurell Kai, but the Mules went on a 9-3 run to regain the lead for good. An ace by Ernest Sonido helped, but fatigue may have worn the Red Raiders out. With two key players still out on academic probation, Kahuku could only watch as Leilehua pulled away to seal the match.

"We just had to erase our mistakes and clear our mind," Cozo said.

For Balignasay, who began coaching the team in 1980, the season has been fun so far.

"This is one of the best groups of boys I’ve had, especially with height. Usually, I have just one or two tall players," he said, referring to six Mules who are 6 feet 1 or taller.

"Kahuku did well. I know they’re a scrappy team," he added.