Kamehameha garnered six of 10 possible first-place votes to knock Punahou out of the No. 1 spot in the Star-Advertiser Girls Volleyball Top 10.
Punahou (25-2) had held down the top ranking in all eight previous weekly polls, but Kamehameha (24-4) handed the Buffanblu their first loss in ILH play last week 19-25, 26-24, 25-19, 25-22. The teams finished regular-season play tied at 11-1 and will meet on Wednesday at Kekuhaupio Gymnasium for the regular-season title and an automatic state berth.
Punahou received the remaining four first-place votes from the panel of coaches and media.
The remainder of this week’s rankings remained status quo with one exception. University (17-11, 7-4 ILH) returned to the Top 10 at No. 9. The Junior Rainbows swept Hanalani and Le Jardin last week.
ILH D-II co-leaders ULS and Damien (14-7, 7-4) will battle tonight at Sacred Hearts’ gym in a key regular-season closing match. The ULS-Damien winner will clinch one of the three automatic state berths allotted to ILH D-II.
Co-leader Mid-Pacific (9-10, 7-4 ILH) plays Le Jardin tonight. The Owls can also finish in a tie for first place and earn a state berth win a win over LJA.
Maryknoll and Hawaii Baptist are right behind at 6-5 and will battle tonight. The winner could finish in a tie for the second or third state berth.
Star-Advertiser Girls Volleyball Top 10
Monday, Oct. 9, 2023
Rank School (1st) (record) Pts LW
1. Kamehameha (6) (24-4, 11-1 ILH) 96 2
> def. No. 1 Punahou 19-25, 26-24, 25-19, 25-22
> next: vs. Punahou, Wednesday
2. Punahou (4) (25-2, 11-1 ILH) 94 1
> lost at No. 2 Kamehameha 19-25, 26-24, 25-19, 25-22
> next: at Kamehameha, Wednesday
3. Kamehameha-Hawaii (24-5, 12-0 BIIF) 77 3
> won at Kealakehe 25-9, 25-9, 25-9
> next: bye
4. Moanalua (22-7, 6-0 OIA) 70 4
> won at Kalaheo 25-22, 25-21, 25-18
> next: at McKinley, Tuesday
5. ‘Iolani (22-8, 7-5 ILH) 60 5
> won at Damien 25-23, 25-18, 18-25, 25-14
> next: vs. Punahou or Kamehameha, Saturday
6. Baldwin (10-7, 7-1 MIL) 44 6
> won at Maui 20-25, 25-14, 13-25, 25-18, 18-16
> next: vs. Lahainaluna, Tuesday
7. Damien (14-7, 7-4 ILH) 38 7
> won at ‘Iolani I-AA 25-17, 25-13, 23-25, 25-16
> lost to No. 5 ‘Iolani 25-23, 25-18, 18-25, 25-14
> next: vs. University, Tuesday (SHA gym)
8. Mililani (10-2, 5-0 OIA) 31 8
> def. Leilehua 25-23, 25-20, 25-18
> next: at Campbell, Wednesday
9. University (17-11, 7-4 ILH) 11 NR
> def. Le Jardin 25-23, 25-16, 25-18
> next: vs. Damien, Tuesday
10. Kapolei (14-18, 4-1 OIA) 10 10
> def. Radford 25-18, 25-15, 25-10
> next: at Leilehua, Monday
> next: vs. Nanakuli, Wednesday
No longer in Top 10: Kahuku (No. 9).
Also receiving votes: Kahuku 8, KS-Maui 8, Mid-Pacific 2, Kalani 1.