Punahou returns to state tournament

Punahou is back in the girls volleyball state tournament, but coach Tanya Fuamatu-Anderson is looking ahead already.

"We can celebrate for an hour. Then it’s on to our next task," she said after the second-ranked Buffanblu swept No. 5 ‘Iolani 25-21, 25-21, 25-21 on Tuesday night at the Raiders gym.

McKenna Granato pounded 12 kills and Hana Lishman added 11 as the Buffanblu clinched no worse than second place in the ILH. They still have an outside chance of winning the league. Punahou will host Kamehameha on Thursday with the second-round title on the line. A win by Punahou would force a championship match against first-round winner Kamehameha. The Punahou-Kamehameha match was originally scheduled for last Saturday, but was postponed due to Hurricane Ana.

‘Iolani, the first-round’s third-place team behind Kamehameha and Punahou, needed a win to secure no worse than second place in the second round. The Raiders would’ve needed to beat Punahou, the runner-up of the first round, one more time to earn a state berth.

It was not to be.

‘Iolani got 11 kills from freshman Sierra Buscher and 10 from senior Anna Uhr. Junior setter Hailey Choy had 29 assists, two kills and an ace.

"We reflected on our growth this season and recognized that first," Raiders coach Kainoa Obrey said. "Beyond that, we recognized what it might take to take the next step. To be able to beat Kamehameha and Punahou, you’ve got to be really good. I think we’re getting there. We’re good, there’s no doubt."

For Punahou, it was about a balanced attack once again. Kiani Tuileta had 37 assists despite a cold.

"She’s been practicing with an itchy throat. She’s not at best, but she doesn’t make excuses," Fuamatu-Anderson said of her senior setter. "The goal for our offense is for Kiani to be distributing, and not just to McKenna. She did a good job of that. We knew we would be in a battle against a good team like ‘Iolani."

Tuileta was a quarterback on the hardwood, sending quick sets to her middles and occasional long, high back sets to right-side pounders like Kiana Peroff.

"’Iolani is definitely a talented young team. They came out firing," said Tuileta, who is orally committed to BYU.

Now the Buffanblu get an opportunity to win the ILH.

"It’s always fun to go against them," Tuileta said.