In its first tournament of the season, Punahou’s girls volleyball team learned to play with new teammates, improved on its defense, and played its entire roster.

It’s also 6-0 after two days of pool play at the Ann Kang Invitational at ‘Iolani. Punahou won the past two tournament titles and could wind up in Saturday’s title match if it continues doing what it’s done the past few days.

"Keep communicating with each other, pass, serve and do our best to keep mistakes to their side of the net," Punahou senior Kiani Tuileta said.

The Buffanblu won all three of its matches on Friday, sweeping Maryknoll and Moanalua, and rallying for a 25-18, 13-25, 15-12 win over Kingwood (Texas).

"It’s a team effort," Punahou libero Brandee Markwith said. "Everybody contributes to all our wins. We got everybody to play more than one set. It was awesome and everybody did great."

Punahou didn’t finalize its roster until Monday. It has just three seniors and more newcomers than returnees. The tournament has provided time to learn more about each other.

"We’re playing a lot together, so that’s fun, and kind of feeling each other’s vibes and how we all play on the court," said Tuileta, who had nine assists and three kills against Moanalua. "The off time, it’s fun because we can hang out, get to know each other better and the bench has been really supportive all the way."

Against Kingwood, Punahou struggled in Set 2 and dropped its first set of the tournament.

"They were getting a lot of blocks," Markwith said. "But we turned it around in the third set. Toward the end of the second set, we used our momentum to help us in the third set."

Punahou used its bench extensively to wrap up the day with a 25-18, 25-17 win over Moanalua. Hana Lishman had eight kills and Piikea Clemons added six. Tuileta left late in Set 1 with an ankle injury. She got off the floor, signaled for a substitution, and walked off by herself. After the match, she said her ankle was fine.

Nikki Lum replaced Tuileta in Set 1 and split setting duties in Set 2 with Kaylen Higa. Lum finished with seven assists and two kills out of the back row.

Jojo Kruize led Moanalua with nine kills.

The tournament resumes Saturday at 8 a.m. Lakewood and ‘Iolani are both 6-0 in the other pool. Punahou plays Mira Costa (6-0) of California to conclude pool play at 11 a.m. Both teams will advance to the 2 p.m. semifinals based on their pool-play records. The championship and third-place matches are at 4 p.m.

RESULTS

Mira Costa def. Los Alamitos 26-24, 22-25, 15-13

Moanalua def. Santa Monica 25-23, 25-23

Kingwood def. ‘Iolani 2 25-12, 25-12

Punahou def. Maryknoll 25-21, 25-11

Mira Costa def. ‘Iolani 2 25-18, 25-19

Los Alamitos def. Santa Monica 25-18, 25-21

Punahou def. Kingwood 25-18, 13-25, 15-12

Moanalua def. Maryknoll 25-19, 25-13

Santa Monica def. ‘Iolani 2 23-25, 25-22, 15-13

Los Alamitos def. Maryknoll 25-18, 25-22

Mira Costa def. Kingwood 25-17, 25-23

Punahou def. Moanalua 25-18, 25-17

‘Iolani def. Kahuku 25-11, 25-14

Memorial def. Seabury Hall 25-15, 25-18

Hawaii Baptist def. Newport Harbor 25-23, 18-25, 15-13

Lakewood def. Village Christian 25-22, 25-22

‘Iolani def. Hawaii Baptist 25-23, 25-15

Seabury Hall def. Kahuku 25-21, 19-25, 15-10

Lakewood def. Newport Harbor 25-15, 25-23

Village Christian def. Memorial 25-16, 25-23

Seabury Hall def. Hawaii Baptist 25-10, 25-23

Village Christian def. Kahuku 25-19, 25-18

‘Iolani def. Newport Harbor 25-21, 25-22

Lakewood def. Memorial 25-9, 25-18