StarBulletin.com

Punahou tunes up against Hawaii Baptist


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POSTED: Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Goliath has spoken.

Punahou resumed its boys volleyball tsunami swell since losing to 'Iolani at midseason, sweeping Hawaii Baptist 25-19, 25-20, 25-19 last night before 200 polite fans at Hemmeter Fieldhouse.

Maddison McKibbin had eight kills (.600) and John Taylor pounded seven (.500) to anchor Punahou's lethal offense. Taylor Crabbe delivered 19 assists and had two aces as the Buffanblu hit .455.

Coming into the exhibition, HBA (16-1 in ILH play), a small school (enrollment is roughly 400 students) was ranked No. 1 in the Star-Bulletin Boys Volleyball Top 10 for the previous two weeks. Punahou was 17-1.

“;It was a big match. I like getting to play them again after being tied in the standings,”; McKibbin said.

Ryan Leong, HBA's 6-foot-4 outside hitter, finished with eight kills (.222), three aces and two blocks. Setter Matthew Lui tallied eight assists, but the big block of Punahou was dominant. HBA hit .000 in only its second loss against an ILH opponent, both against Punahou.

“;We didn't play our best. We definitely need to execute,”; Obrey said. “;Some of our rotations went in (Punahou's) favor. But this gets us going for the state tournament. We haven't seen a block like that in a month.”;

Punahou coach Rick Tune was glad to get his team high-quality competition.

“;It's the best simulation to get us ready for states,”; he said, noting that they had already played an alumni team last week.

The HHSAA tournaments begin today. Punahou has a first-round bye and meets the Leilehua-Castle winner tomorrow at McKinley, 7 p.m. HBA also has a bye and plays the Kohala-Kaimuki victor tomorrow at Farrington, 7 p.m.