Roosevelt’s senior class wants to finish the season with a state tournament berth.

The Rough Riders inched closer to their goal after a 25-8, 25-22, 15-25, 29-27 win over Kapolei in Wednesday’s first round of the OIA boys volleyball playoffs at Waipahu.

“We knew what was at stake,” said Roosevelt’s Valen Inaura, who had eight kills and three aces. “We have nine seniors and we didn’t want our season to end. Coach said to play with heart and to keep talking. We got the job done.”

Roosevelt (9-3), the fourth seed out of the East, will play at West No. 1 Waianae (10-0) in Thursday’s quarterfinals. All four quarterfinal winners will earn a state tournament berth.

Keanu Furtado had 11 kills and Chaston Marcos finished with 10 kills for Roosevelt. Tyler Yamanouchi had 24 assists and six kills.

Tali Coleman had 16 kills and Stanton Coen had 13 kills for the Hurricanes, who finish the season 6-5. Rawston Viela added 31 assists and two aces.

“We didn’t get to make states last year,” Inaura said. “Us seniors, we’ve been playing since our freshman year.”

Roosevelt rallied again and again in Set 4 after it appeared the match was headed to a fifth set. Roosevelt called a timeout down 16-11, tied it at 18-18, then rallied to tie it at 22-22. Roosevelt’s coaching staff emphasized communication. As Kapolei rallied and gained momentum, its deep bench and loud fans yelled whenever the Hurricanes scored a point.

“It all started with our coach, he was telling us to talk,” said Furtado, who had three blocks. “Without our talking, we’re not as strong as our potential.”

Coleman had two kills to put Kapolei ahead 24-22. Furtado’s kill cut it to 24-23, but not after two officials signaled awarding the point to opposite teams.

The set was tied at 24, 25 and 26 before Yamanouchi’s ace put Roosevelt at match point. Coen’s kill then tied it at 27-27. Inaura’s kill put Roosevelt at match point again and the match ended when two Kapolei players were called for going under the net.

After a slow start, Kapolei got back into the match with tough serving. Its two big middles emerged at the net with the 6-foot-5 Coleman and 6-7 Myles Uepa, who had six blocks.

“They were running their middles, that’s what they needed to do,” Furtado said. “They’re a lot taller than us.”