Two-time defending state champion Punahou, along with Kamehameha, Waianae and University High, all advanced unbeaten into today's single-elimination play in the state boys volleyball tournament at McKinley High gymnasium. Punahou leads advance in
volleyball tournamentJoining them were Moanalua, Pearl City, Seabury Hall and Waiakea, which split in pool play matches yesterday at the McKinley and Punahou gyms.
Today's matches begin at 3:30 p.m.
Top-seeded Punahou, the Interscholastic League of Honolulu champion, disposed of Moanalua and Hilo behind Scott Wong's 15 kills. Teammate Craig Gamble added 12 kills for the Buffanblu.
Wong, Nathan Victor and Maui Tauotaha each had six blocks.
Second-seeded Pearl City, the Oahu Interscholastic Association champion, went 1-1 as a result of a 15-12, 16-14 loss to Kamehameha.
In that match, Kamehameha's Pono Kahlale had 26 kills and a .676 hitting percentage.
Waianae defeated Waimea and then ran into some problems with Seabury Hall.
The Seariders took the first game, 14-9. But they fell behind, 7-0, in the second one before rallying to win.
"Everybody picked up their game and helped out," said 6-3 middle blocker Matthew Denison, who had 13 kills and three blocks.
"They were getting past our blocks but our defense came through," said head coach Michellene Nua.
Last year's state runner-up teams led the state bowling tournament after the first day of play at Kalihi Bowl. STATE BOWLING OPENS
Play was to wind up today at the lanes with the state team and individual champions crowned.
Waiakea lead the girls' competition yesterday with a pinfall of 5,010, while Roosevelt was the boys' leader with a 5,679.
Hawaii Baptist Academy's boys were only seven pins behind the Rough Riders.
Roosevelt's Grant Kogami, the boys' individual leader, opened with a 691 series in his first three games and flirted with becoming the first bowler to score 700 in a state tournament.
The girls' leader was Katrina Gealon of Hilo, who rolled 1,104. She had a 16-pin lead on Campbell's Leeann Benner.
Pearl City won the girls' title last year but was third after yesterday (4,915). Hilo was second (4,930).
Kauai, which was the surprise 1995 boys' champion, was just about out of contention yesterday, in seventh place (5,144).
Last year's boys' champion was Ryan Abara of Kauai. He was not in the top 15 yesterday.
Last year's girls' champion, Kehau Matsushima of Kamehameha, was fourth with 1,084.
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