RICHARD WALKER / RWALKER@STARBULLETIN.COM Led by 6-foot-5 sophomore outside hitter Spencer McLachlin and a host of talented all-stars, Coach of the Year Peter Balding's Punahou Buffanblu went 16-0 to win the state championship this season. Punahou didn't lose a set until the state- final match against Kamehameha.

Buffanblu sweep
awards

The state champions put six players on
the Star-Bulletin's top two All-State teams

Dominant, yes.

Star-studded? Sort of. With a team-first mentality, the Punahou Buffanblu were formidable from start to finish. Punahou lost a set only once -- during the state finals against Kamehameha -- en route to the state championship.

They were as strong as their weakest link, and in their case, the Buffanblu didn't have a weakness. Coaches and media rewarded Punahou with six spots on the top two teams in the Star-Bulletin All-State Boys Volleyball selections.

Outside hitter Spencer McLachlin garnered just enough votes to outpoint Iolani's acrobatic setter, Kawika Shoji.

Punahou coach Peter Balding capped another masterful season with Coach of the Year honors. The Buffanblu went 16-0 en route to the state championship.

Kamehameha's Pono Ma'a finished second in the C.O.Y. voting, while Kalaheo's Sivan Leoni, Waiakea's Ecko Osorio and Hana's Manny Oliveira also received votes.

Two of McLachlin's teammates joined him on the first team: middle blocker Keali'i Frank and defensive specialist Erik Shoji. Ronson Olaso of Kamehameha, Napua Cabatu of Waiakea and Kawika Shoji rounded out the first team.

"I feel honored. It's been a dream of mine since I started playing," McLachlin said. "Kawika played so well, and Jordan (Inafuku of Kamehameha) had a great year."

McLachlin, a 6-foot-5 sophomore, is one of four first-team players who will return next season.

Kawika Shoji, a 6-1 junior, was a clear first-team pick at setter, but Punahou's Riley McKibbin edged Kamehameha's Inafuku for the second-team spot by just one vote.

The only other category that had a relatively close vote was at outside hitter. After McLachlin, Olaso got the nod over Kauai's Va'afuti Tavana.

Player of the Year

Spencer McLachlin
Punahou

Coach of the Year

Peter Balding
Punahou

First Team

SETTER
Kawika Shoji
Iolani
6-1, junior

DEFENSIVE SPECIALIST
Erik Shoji
Punahou
5-10, freshman

MIDDLE BLOCKER
Keali'i Frank
Punahou
6-6, junior

MIDDLE BLOCKER
Napua Cabatu
Waiakea
6-2, senior

OUTSIDE HITTER
Spencer McLachlin
Punahou
6-5, sophomore

OUTSIDE HITTER
Ronson Olaso
Kamehameha
6-1, senior

Second team

SETTER
Riley McKibbin
Punahou
6-0, sophomore

DEFENSIVE SPECIALIST
Jacob Jenkins
Kamehameha
5-9, junior

MIDDLE BLOCKER
Matt Brown
Punahou
6-3, junior

MIDDLE BLOCKER
Ernest Vidinha
Kamehameha
6-4, senior

OUTSIDE HITTER
Va'afuti Tavana
Kauai
6-8, senior

OUTSIDE HITTER
Kaohu Berg-Hee
Punahou
6-3, senior

OUTSIDE HITTER
Kyle Pape
Iolani
6-2, senior

Honorable Mention

HANA
» Bryce Oliveira, OH, 6-1, sr.
» Kamaka Villarmio, OH, 5-10, sr.
KAHUKU
» Okosene Ale Jr., OH, 6-1, jr.
» Charles Bell, OH, 6-1, jr.
» Hapaki Kaulula'au, OH, 5-10, sr.

KALAHEO
» Elias David, OH, 6-1, jr.
» Chris Tumaneng, S, 5-10, jr.
» Mana Guerreiro, OH, 5-10, jr.

KAMEHAMEHA
» Jordan Inafuku, OH, 5-10, so.
» Scott Kane, DS, 6-0, jr.
» Kory Matsukado, OH, 6-1, jr.
» Ikaika Shelton, MB, 6-3, sr.
» Ernest Vidinha, OH, 6-4, sr.

KAUAI
» Justin McSheehy, MB, 6-1, sr.
» Garrett Sakimae, S, 5-10, sr.

LEILEHUA
» Edward Garcia, OH, 6-0, sr.

MARYKNOLL
» Riley Tang, OH, 5-8, sr.