The last time Max Slaughter sensed danger, he did not enjoy the moment.

Four weeks ago, he was injured, his ankle wrapped up, as Moanalua fell to Castle on the road during the regular season. On Monday night, with his ankle now at “95 percent,” Slaughter was in Mad Max mode with 19 kills in a 25-18, 25-21, 25-15 sweep of Leilehua in the semifinal round of the Oahu Interscholastic Association boys volleyball playoffs at James Alegre Gymnasium.

Defending OIA champ Moanalua (12-1) has won six of the past seven crowns. Na Menehune will meet Kalaheo on Wednesday in the final.

Ten of Slaughter’s kills came in the crucial second set as the Mules led most of the way. Leilehua (9-3) led 21-19 after a block by Timaye Tatupu, but could not stop Slaughter, who drilled the next three kills to give Na Menehune the lead. After a couple of errors by Leilehua, Moanalua had the set and rolled to the sweep.

“It was a closer game, so I had to have the mind-set that I have to put this away every time,” Slaughter said.

DiAeris McRaven added 10 kills and three blocks. The 6-foot-5 junior soared from the back row for two of those kills, and had most of his action from the right side on feeds from Cole Fukumitsu (35 assists).

McRaven and Slaughter didn’t have to carry the load. Coach Alan Cabanting saw production from Josh Galeria (four kills), Cory Tharp (two) and Michael Pawlak (four kills, two blocks).

“I do like that we spread the ball offensively a little more. Josh, Cory, Mike being available. When we have more balance, especially when they double Max, it opens it up,” Cabanting said.

Moanalua’s serve was particularly effective in the first and third sets. Barron Paikai was explosive, with five aces.

Leilehua got eight kills and two aces from Tatupu. Kahakai Kahoiwai added five kills, and Damien Rodrigues had four kills and two aces. David Bejer-Barro tallied three kills, eight assists and one ace.

“I like being here, making the final four,” Mules coach Jeremiah Keola said. “Moanalua has 85 percent club players, and they’re hard to beat. We needed to step up on defense. It comes down to nerves. Our guys dwell too much on mistakes.”

Kalaheo 3, Castle 0

The Mustangs overcame a resilient effort by the Knights for a 29-27, 25-20, 25-22 win. Liam York had 19 kills and Tyler Wemple tallied 17 for Kalaheo (12-1), which will meet Moanalua for the OIA crown on Wednesday at Radford’s James Alegre Gymnasium.

Reggaen Eugenio dished out 42 assists for Kalaheo, which came prepared to be patient against Castle’s scrappy defense.

York was a weapon from left, right and the back row. He will play at Springfield College (Mass.) next season.

“We knew if we played our game and didn’t get frazzled because they dig a lot of balls, we would be fine. Just stay calm,” he said.

Kamalei Albinio had 11 kills and Mikaja Dart added nine for Castle (11-3).

Moanalua swept Kalaheo on March 6, 25-13, 25-17.

“It’s going to be a fight for both sides,” Kalaheo coach Sivan Leoni said. “Moanalua has their two hitters, but their overall ball control is second to none.”

Kalaheo has not won the OIA title since 2005, which was under Leoni.