Third-seeded Kamehameha-Hawaii split games with Punahou in preseason.
Punahou deflated every bit of hope on Thursday, sweeping the Big Island Interscholastic Federation champions 25-6, 25-14, 25-19 in the quarterfinals of the New City Nissan/HHSAA Boys Volleyball State Championships at Radford’s James Alegre Gymnasium. Punahou (13-3), the Interscholastic League of Honolulu runner-up, was the superior serve-receive team, with Shea Suzumoto and Davis Lau leading the back row.
That made the Buffanblu’s arsenal of weapons difficult to counter for KS-Hawaii (14-2).
“We just couldn’t pass. That hurt us because we became predictable,” Warriors coach Sam Thomas said. “We hung our heads.”
Punahou had plenty to do with that. Setters Connor McInerny (22 assists) and Keegan Au Yuen (17 assists) spread the ball to all possible angles. Junior Jack Deuchar had a team-high 12 kills, but Punahou only needed three from the 6-foot-7 outside hitter in the first set.
“We played them twice in the Kamehameha tournament and split both times. They represented the Big Island well. We just played a good game tonight,” Punahou coach Rick Tune said. “I’m particularly proud of the guys and the way they played in the first set. We’re doing stuff we couldn’t do two, three weeks ago.”
The Buffanblu got seven kills, two aces and two blocks from middle Braxdon Simmons, plus five kills by middle Robert Allen (three blocks). Jakob Kimura had nine kills and Kawai Hong tallied seven kills.
Hong’s first kill gave Punahou, the seven-time defending state champion, a 10-1 lead. After an ace by Deuchar, it was 15-3. A Simmons ace made it 18-4, and after an Allen roof it was a 16-point lead. Punahou’s reserves, including Claudio Clini (five kills), were sharp.
There was simply no letdown, and it took until the final point of the second set, the longest rally of the match, before the Warriors began to play their best volleyball.
KS-Hawaii kept the third set close while Punahou continued to use its normal rotation. Outside hitter Kamau Kama‘ike (eight kills) began to figure out the Punahou block and helped the Warriors get within 8-7. They were still in range after a roof by Blake Baclig at 11-9, but Punahou’s depth was a major advantage.
Despite six service errors in the third set, the Buffanblu pulled away. Au Yuen’s ace opened the lead to four, and his back set to Allen on the right side for a clean kill sparked the run.
KS-Hawaii starts three sophomores. The Warriors return to Radford today for consolation play.
“We told our seniors we want to keep our culture going for the younger kids,” Thomas said.
Moanalua 3, Mililani 1
Max Slaughter had 20 kills and 10 digs, and DiAeris McRaven added 15 kills as the second-seeded Menehune fought off the Trojans 25-17, 25-9, 22-25, 25-22. Moanalua advanced to the semifinals and will host Punahou today.
‘Iolani 3, Hilo 0
The top-seeded Raiders swept the Big Island champion Vikings 25-14, 25-15, 25-23 and will meet Kalaheo in the semifinals at Moanalua on Friday. Kawika Lee led ‘Iolani with 12 kills.
Kalaheo 3, Kamehameha-Maui 1
The OIA runner-up Mustangs ousted the fourth-seeded Warriors 25-13, 25-17, 23-25, 25-20 at Moanalua’s gym. Liam York led Kalaheo (13-2) with 22 kills (.559) and Tyler Wemple tallied 17 kills (.448). York also had a team-high 18 digs. Bradyn Hipa added 14 digs. Reggaen Eugenio dished out 30 assists and had two of his team’s five aces.
DIVISION II
St. Francis 3, Nanakuli 0
Playing at home, the top-seeded Saints (15-2) swept the Golden Hawks (5-9) 25-13, 25-13, 28-26. St. Francis will meet Seabury Hall in the D-II semifinals today.
Seabury Hall 3, Makua Lani 1
The fourth-seeded Spartans (11-2) ousted the Lions (11-5) 25-21, 25-18, 25-27, 25-18 to advance. Kalai Anderson paced the Spartans with 13 kills. Tyler Russell had nine kills and four digs, and Carter Phillips tallied nine kills and three blocks. Zachariah Burkett had a team-high 24 assists.
Kapaa 3, Hawaii Prep 0
Second-seeded Kapaa (14-0) got 20 kills from Kiran Costa in a 25-19, 25-21, 25-19 sweep at Kalani’s gym. Umikoa Kealoha had six kills to lead Hawaii Prep (9-7).
University 3, Pearl City 0
The Junior ‘Bows swept the OIA champion Chargers (6-8) 25-21, 25-21, 25-21 to reach the semifinal round and will meet KIF champion Kapaa. Isaiah Kalima-Izumi had a team-high 11 kills for ULS (12-5).
Sonny Tofi led the Chargers with 14 kills and added five digs.
