Kapolei overcame a slow start to gain another shot at taking down a dynasty.
The Hurricanes gave up two goals to Kamehameha-Hawaii in a handful of seconds, then settled down and defeated Hawaii island’s Warriors 8-5 in the quarterfinals of the Stanford Carr Development/HHSAA Girls Water Polo State Championships on Thursday.
A run of seven unanswered goals spanning all four quarters was decisive for the OIA runner-up Hurricanes (12-1). Leilani Herrera and Mailani Wendt led the way with three goals each.
Coach Dex Lee’s team advanced to face seven-time defending champion Punahou in the tournament for the fourth straight year. The Hurricanes and Buffanblu meet at 5:15 p.m. Friday in the first of two semifinals at the Duke Kahanamoku Aquatic Complex.
Punahou ended Kapolei’s run the past three years — in the 2014 quarters, 2013 semis and 2012 semis. But the re-re-rematch looked doubtful early as KSH stormed to a 3-0 first quarter lead.
"They came out nervous. Like, out-of-control nervous," Lee said of his players.
The coach credited his senior goalkeeper, Tiala Wendt (older sister of Mailani), with calming her peers in the eye of the storm.
"I yell all the time, but the voice they hear the most comes from inside (the pool). Tiala communicated that to them, and they settled down," Lee said.
Wendt saved 13 shots in goal, including several with KSH on a power play.
"I think that actually was motivation to work harder," she said of the quick deficit. "We have a really strong team, we don’t die out quick … we’ll keep fighting and fighting. I knew that we’d be OK."
She knows exactly what she and her teammates face Friday, and not just from past seasons. Punahou crushed Roosevelt 16-3 later Thursday.
"Me and my sister actually train with them over the summer," Tiala Wendt said. "We’re on a club team with them, so I know what to expect. I know their players, I know that they’re really good, they have really good offense and defense. But what we did today, we just have to bring that again tomorrow and keep fighting until the end."
Kapolei’s big run started almost accidentally, but allowed the Hurricanes to gain confidence possession by possession.
Kapolei’s hole set, Herrera, got a tipped pass to a teammate to float into the KSH goal near the end of the first quarter. Then, early in the second period, Corilynn Higa got a desperation lob shot from long range to fall in over the hands of Warriors keeper Jeyci Kaili.
The next ones were no flukes. Mailani Wendt scored on a putback of her own fast-break miss and Herrera followed with an alley-oop score from Higa for a 4-3 halftime lead.
"Once (Herrera) scored early that forced them to collapse on her, and that opened a lot of stuff for us," Lee said.
The younger Wendt scored two more times in the third after Herrera’s second goal, allowing the Hurricanes to play conservatively in the fourth. They weathered two quick scores by the Warriors and got an insurance goal from Taylor Goeas.
Kamehameha (11-2) came up empty on two penalty shots and six of seven man-up situations.
"(Kapolei) just hung in and kept playing," KSH coach Dan Lyons said. "I thought we had a zillion opportunities … we had a number of man-up situations, we had shots on goal."
Alyssa Pelanca led the Warriors with two goals, while Kaili saved nine shots.
Goal scorers—Kapo: Leilani Herrera 3, Mailani Wendt 3, Corilynn Higa, Taylor Goeas. KSH: Alyssa Pelanca 2, Katelyn Kubo, Pua Wong, Halia Nahale-a.
PUNAHOU 16, ROOSEVELT 3
The Buffanblu’s drive for an eighth straight state title appears strong. Punahou (7-0) overcame a long layoff as the Interscholastic League of Honolulu regular-season champion and coach Ken Smith was able to split the work among his whole team. Kelly Fricke led the way with four goals.
Goal scorers—Pun: Kelly Fricke 4, Natassia Dunn 2, Emma Choy 2, Malia Gacutan 2, Madison Meister, Cory Ruotola, Saki Migliorato, Anuhea Ledesma, Robbie Bickerton, Micaela Kauhane. Roos: Brianne Tengan, Autumn Akiu, Sarah Yasuda.
KAHUKU 19, KALANI 5
The OIA champions routed a familiar league opponent to keep alive the Red Raiders’ streak of making the semifinals in each edition of the state tournament, which started in 2004. Sisters Kahea and Nohea Kahaulelio and India Pyzel scored four goals apiece to lead Kahuku (12-0). Lisa Namatame scored all five goals for the Falcons (8-5).
Goal scorers—Kah: India Pyzel 4, Kahea Kahaulelio 4, Nohea Kahaulelio 4, Ava Countryman 2, Kayli Clifford, Makenna Beck, Isabella Walker, Lilli Lindgard, Kahea Pirrone. Kaln: Lisa Namatame 5.
KAMEHAMEHA 17, LAHAINALUNA 4
Kolby Kahahawai tallied three goals and five other Warriors scored two as Kamehameha whipped the Lunas.
Kamehameha took a 5-2 lead after one period, then added four goals in each of the next three quarters.
Goal scorers—Lahainaluna: Lalelei Mataafa (3), Julia Bianco. Kamehameha: Kiana St. Onge, Mariah Ng, Kaylee Leong 2, Madison Kauahi 2, La’akea Dedrick 2, Kayla Ganir 2, Kolby Kahahawai 3, Payton Bosque 2, Kaylen Nitahara, Cayla Moore.
WATER POLO
At Duke Kahanamoku Acquatics Complex
THURSDAY
Quarterfinals
Kapolei 8, Kamehameha-Hawaii 5
Kahuku 19, Kalani 5
Punahou 16, Roosevelt 3
Kamehameha 17, Lahainaluna 4
Consolation
Baldwin 6, Leilehua 3
FRIDAY
Semifinals
Kapolei vs. Punahou, 5:15 p.m.
Kahuku vs. Kamehameha, 6:30 p.m.
Consolation
Konawaena vs. Kaiser, 1:30 p.m.
KS-Hawaii vs. Roosevelt, 2:45 p.m.
Kalani vs. Lahainaluna, 4 p.m.
SATURDAY
Championship—6 p.m.
Third place—4:30 p.m.
Fifth place—3:15 p.m.
Consolation—Baldwin vs. Konawaena/Kaiser winner, 2 p.m.
