6-player Cinderella Kahuku falls to No. 1 Punahou

The Cinderella story of the 2005 Nissan Boys Division I State Volleyball Championship ended yesterday as No. 1 Punahou got past Kahuku, a team with a six-player roster, 25-19, 25-18 last night at McKinley's Student Council Gym.

Spencer McLachlin led the Buffanblu (18-0) with nine kills and hit .438 in the win that propelled the defending state champions into the title match.

The tournament moves to the Stan Sheriff Center today, with Punahou and ILH rival Iolani playing for the championship at 7 p.m. Kahuku (12-7) plays OIA Red East rival Kalaheo in the third-place match at 4:30 p.m.

"I'm proud of these kids," Kahuku coach Howard Kaululaau said. "From everything they went through mentally this whole season to where we are now. It's not over ... I don't like to say, 'We did good but we're done.' We're not done, we still get to play."

Charles Bell, who faced double and triple blocks most of the night, got the ball through the seams, putting down a match-high 10 kills. Junior Ale added seven kills but also seven errors as he was bothered by the big Punahou block that also keyed on him.

The Red Raiders were able to hang with the Buffanblu early, staying within three points for most of the first game, until Punahou put together a 5-0 run late in the game behind the effective jump serve of Colan Ishii. After falling behind 6-0 in Game 2, the Red Raiders made a comeback behind Bell, taking a slim lead at 10-9. But the Buffanblu slowly pulled away, using a balanced attack to win the match.

In the two times they've met this season, the Buffanblu have defeated Iolani, though in the first meeting, the Buffanblu won 25-23 in the third game.

"We got to win the serving-passing game," Punahou setter Riley McKibbin said of the championship match. "We got to serve well and pass well. We have some of the best hitters in the state. It should be no problem after that."

Iolani 2, Kalaheo 0

Kawika Shoji rifled seven kills, including the match-winning shot, and set the Raiders to a 25-23, 25-23 win over the Mustangs to reach the championship game.

Iolani's Barry Kang had a match-high nine kills, while Elias David and Mana Guerreiro led the Mustangs with eight kills each.

CONSOLATION

Kamehameha-Hawaii def. Pearl City 25-27, 25-18, 25-15

Molokai def. Waiakea 25-22, 25-23

Castle def. Kamehameha-Maui 25-13, 25-18

DIVISION II

Mid-Pacific 2, Kapaa 1

The phrase uttered by seemingly every member of the Mid-Pacific squad as they exited Punahou's Hemmeter Field House was, "One more, baby!"

The Owls earned a spot in tonight's championship game against Kapaa after defeating Seabury Hall in three games 25-20, 13-25, 25-22 last night in the first semifinal match of the Hawaii High School Athletic Association Division II boy's state tournament.

Outside hitter Reese Haine led Mid-Pacific with 16 kills, while Bayly Buck added nine digs and Reese Hixson had three blocks. The Owls out-hit the Spartans .371 to .277.

"I'm just always pumped up, and ready to just go out and start swinging," Haine said. "I like to bring that kind of intensity because it brings everybody else up with me."

Tye Perdido led Seabury Hall with 16 kills. Kevin Brown had seven digs, and Erik Snow got up for three blocks.

Kapaa 2, Aiea 1

The Warriors dominated both games, 25-11 and 25-10, to play their way into the Division II state final.

Kaina Kahaunaele led Kapaa with fivekills, while Chaz Galvez and Lyndon Pascual added four each.

Seth Nelson led Na Alii with four kills and seven digs.

Waipahu 2, Hilo 1

The Marauders needed three games to get past the Vikings, 25-17, 22-25, 25-12. Paul Fai and Malosi Saolotoga had seven kills each, while Arthur Fanene picked up seven digs and Medley Bently chipped in three blocks.

The Vikings were led by Emrick Salas' 10 kills and Zachery Tomlinson's 13 digs.

Hawaii Baptist 2, Hana 0

The Eagles rolled over the Dragons 25-20, 25-16. Hawaii Baptist racked up a .315 hitting percentage compared to Hana's .115. Sean Lum led the Eagles with a match-high eight kills.

Bulla Hoopaii and Harold Kaiwi had six kills apiece for Hana.

Laupahoehoe 2, Waialua 0

The Seasiders out-hit the Bulldogs .217 to .127, and Jason Ignacio led the way with eight kills and three blocks, while Tyler Pilor racked up six digs in the straight-set victory, 28-26, 25-21.

Marnick Dela Cruz led Waialua with eight kills, and Gilbert Menor collected a match-high nine digs in the loss.

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