Kamehameha took nothing for granted with a state water polo tournament berth on the line.

Home-pool advantage and a dominant record against ‘Iolani meant nothing if the Warriors couldn’t perform when it mattered in Thursday’s playoff. But perform they did, ousting the Raiders 8-5 to earn the Interscholastic League of Honolulu’s second and final berth to the to the Stanford Carr Development/HHSAA championships beginning next Wednesday.

It’s the first state appearance in three years for Kamehameha and coach Keala O’Sullivan, who has a core group of six seniors she’s coached since their intermediate days.

"This is a really big year for me and for them. They’ve been playing with each other for so long," O’Sullivan said.

‘Iolani was a very familiar foe, as the ILH’s three Division I teams (along with Punahou) play each other three times during the regular season. Including a preseason match, Thursday was the fifth time the Warriors and Raiders met up.

"They always say ‘third time’s a charm’ and ‘it’s hard to beat a team on the third time,’ " O’Sullivan said. "And so we’re like, ‘it’s hard to beat a team on the fifth time.’ "

Perhaps, but the Warriors were up to the task. Kamehameha got goals from seven players — reserve Keylee Leong jumped in the pool and notched two scores — as the Warriors steadily exerted their physical advantage over the Raiders in moving to 5-0 in the season series.

It avenged last year’s loss to the Raiders in the playoff game for the ILH’s second state berth. Punahou, the seven-time defending state champion, went undefeated in league play for the ILH’s seeded berth.

"This is a huge goal for us," said center Kolby Kahahawai, who served as the focal point of the Warriors’ attack. "We wanted to go super bad last year, but … we lost (to ‘Iolani). We didn’t go to states. So, this year, we really wanted to work hard and train super hard all season, and fight to win this game. So it’s super exciting to go to states our senior year."

‘Iolani goalkeeper Courtney Overland saved 10 shots, helping the Raiders hang around after they fell behind five goals at halftime. Emily Nomura and Mollie Taylor led the Raiders with two goals apiece.

Coach Ian Kusao’s team made up a goal in the third quarter and had several opportunities to narrow the gap further, but could not do so until the final seconds as the Warriors’ defense held firm even in several power play situations for the Raiders.

"I thought on offense we’d be more successful, we drew a lot of kick-outs, we just couldn’t score," Kusao said. "(Kamehameha) played great. Great defense. They contest really well. They’re big and strong and fast and well-coached. … My hat’s off to them, they played a phenomenal game."

Now the Warriors look ahead to states, where the other all-too-familiar foe — Punahou — awaits.