FL MORRIS / FMORRIS@STARBULLETIN.COM Kahuku's Charles Bell hit through a block attempt by Radford's Glen Klaiber during yesterday's match.

Ale's return is timely, as Red Raiders foil Rams in state opener

TEN days ago, Kahuku had just forfeited its OIA fifth-place match because it only had five players on the roster. Yesterday, rejuvenated by the return of 2004 All-State selection Okesene "Jr." Ale, the Red Raiders advanced into the quarterfinals of the HHSAA boys Division I state tournament with a win over Radford, 21-25, 25-17, 25-14, last night at McKinley's Student Council Gym.

The Red Raiders (11-6) play MIL champion Molokai today, and the Rams (14-2) face Roosevelt in the consolation bracket.

"We wanted (this win) so much," Kahuku's Charles Bell said. "We were willing to die for it."

After a player quit the team last week, Ale, who left the team after the preseason in order to focus more on basketball, called up Kahuku coach Howard Kaululaau and asked him if there was anything he could do.

"I called him back and said, 'I want you to play because you want to play,' and that's what he did tonight," Kaululaau said. "It showed tonight, his heart, his dedication."

"I did it for these boys, I love these boys," Ale said. "I wanted to give Charles and Michael (Tanuvasa) the exposure. They played all summer long, and for them not to go to states, that's a big loss. It feels wonderful to be back."

Though he said he was very rusty last Monday, his first day back on the team, Ale was productive against the Rams, registering 12 kills. Bell led the Red Raiders with 16 kills. Senior middle Glen Klaiber scored a team-high nine kills for the Rams, while Anthony Babas added six kills and two service aces.

In a win that Kaululaau said was all heart, Ale was the emotional leader.

"In the game, when the boys were down, he pointed straight to his heart," Kaululaau said. With Ale taking a big leadership role, Kaululaau said the situation was "meant for tonight, it was meant for states."

After dropping Game 1, the Red Raiders rebounded by dominating the Rams in the second game. Kahuku slowly built up a seven-point lead, then ran away with the game with the serve of Nicholus Gouveia. The 5-foot-5 freshman, who Kaululaau called the team's secret weapon, used his jump serve to reel off four straight points and increase the Kahuku lead to 11.

In Game 3, the Rams never regained the focus they had in the first game, falling behind by seven points early. Radford got as close as three points, but Kahuku continued to serve tough, getting two aces from Aukai Walk. Two thunderous kills by Ale gave the Red Raiders match point, and they ended the game with a kill by Jarren Kaio.

Iolani def. Castle 26-28, 25-14, 26-24

The Knights (11-6) nearly pulled off the upset of the year, but fell just short against the Raiders (15-2).

Following a decisive Raider win in the second game, the Knights rebounded and led Game 3 24-22, one point away from advancing into the quarterfinals and knocking off a team considered to compete for the championship in Iolani.

But the Raiders scored four straight points to end the match. Leading the Raiders was Kawika Shoji with 13 kills. The Knights were led by Kealii Bertlemann and Keala Aulevala, each with 10 kills.

The Raiders move on to face Kamehameha-Hawaii today, and Castle plays Kamehameha-Maui in the consolation bracket tomorrow.

Waiakea def. Roosevelt 25-17, 25-23

The Warriors used a balanced attack to take care of the Rough Riders. With the win, the Warriors (15-2) advance to face No. 1 Punahou in the quarterfinals today. Middle Brandon Medeiros led the Warriors with seven kills, and Kaina Palama led the Rough Riders (11-5) with seven.

Waiakea, the BIIF's second seed, took control of the first game right from the start, going out to a 7-1 lead following a crosscourt shot by Jasen Suwa. The Rough Riders would get as close as four points midway through the game before the Warriors broke away again.

The Rough Riders rebounded in Game 2, only to fall behind late. The Warriors took their first lead of the game on a Palama hitting error that pulled them ahead for good at 23-22.

Pearl City def. Kamehameha-Maui 25-23, 25-17

Gary Panui pounded six kills to lead the Chargers (11-5) to a win over the Warriors (6-5). Kamuela Kalehuawehe-Valentine led the Warriors with seven kills. The Chargers advance to the quarterfinals and face No. 2 seed Kalaheo today.

Falling behind by as much as eight points early on, Kamehameha-Maui slowly crept back into Game 1. The Warriors outscored Pearl City 10-4 and closed the Charger lead to 23-22 before the Chargers ended the attempted comeback with a kill by Zachary Sharpe.

Passing continued to trouble the Warriors in Game 2 as the Chargers picked up six service aces in the period. Abraham Kauhane racked up five aces in Game 2 and ended the match with three straight.

Division II

At Hemmeter Fieldhouse, Punahou

Hana def. Honokaa 25-16, 25-19

The Dragons of the Maui Interscholastic League swept the Dragons of the Big Island Interscholastic Federation, thanks in part to Louis Ho'opai'i III. The junior had 11 kills and five digs, and Walter Boteilho tallied six digs. Harold Kaiwi added five blocks.

Komokana Fernandez led Honokaa with six kills and four blocks.

Seabury Hall def. Waialua 25-16, 25-19

Senior Tye Perdido slammed 12 kills to lead the Spartans into the quarterfinals. He also hustled for four digs.

Dave Lopez tallied three kills and six blocks to lead the Bulldogs.

Aiea def. Ka'u 25-15, 22-25, 25-17

Pili Taitin crushed 17 kills and Michael Tabarejo added eight as Na Alii outlasted the Trojans. Troy Uyeshiro had 10 digs.

Mikhail Graig and Dustin Salmo led the Trojans with nine kills each. Salmo and Henry Makuakane each tallied seven digs, while Dedrick Saplan added three blocks.

Mid-Pacific def. Laupahoehoe 25-16, 27-25

Reese Haine pounded 10 kills and Blake Hixson added seven to lead the Owls. Barlyn Buck and Tyler Doo led the MPI defense with 11 and seven digs, respectively.

Jason Ignacio, a 6-foot-3 junior, paced the Seasiders with eight kill, nine digs and two blocks. Pedro Cacho Jr. added six kills and two blocks.