Stunning. Iolani upsets Kamehameha
By Cindy Luis
cluis@starbulletin.comIt's not so much that Iolani defeated Kamehameha in boys volleyball last night, the first win for the Raiders over the Warriors since 1991.
Nor was it the fact that it happened on Kamehameha's home court, where the Warriors have been virtually unbeatable for years.
What was surprising about Iolani's 15-7, 9-15, 15-10 victory at Kekuhaupi'o was the way the Raiders did it -- beating the defending state champions at their own game.
In a rematch of last year's state final, Iolani (4-0) outblocked, outserved and outdug Kamehameha (4-1).
The loss was the Warriors' first since the 2000 state final against Punahou, a streak of 24 straight wins. Iolani is now the only undefeated boys team in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu.
Kamehameha was without explosive junior hitter Adam Tuifagu, who was sidelined with a severely sprained left ankle. The Junior Olympic all-American had been limited to back-row duties this season after suffering a concussion this summer.
"It's not a full win for us with Adam being out, but this was big for us emotionally," said Iolani junior setter Sean Carney. "After losing to them last year in the state final (15-8, 15-13) ... it's good to know that we can beat them. Hopefully, we can do it at the end of the season."
Warriors coach Pono Ma'a didn't use the loss of Tuifagu as an excuse.
"Iolani just flat out outplayed us," Ma'a said. "In all areas that we needed to win, they outplayed us. Digging ... blocking ... serving .. and they just wanted it more."
That desire especially showed in Game 1. Kamehameha seemingly had taken control at 5-1 when Iolani began to tee off from the service line.
The Raiders scored 10 unanswered points, including three behind the serves of junior hitter Derrick Low and then a 6-0 run behind sophomore middle B.J. Takushi. Kamehameha pulled to 13-7 only to have Iolani close it out on a Warrior back-row attack error and a kill by senior middle Chad Miller.
The teams traded sides and momentum. It was Iolani that jumped out early in Game 2 at 4-2; the Raiders had their last lead at 8-7.
Junior setter Ainoa Miyashiro served for seven straight as the Warriors began to pass better and get their block going. Iolani pulled to 14-9 before sophomore hitter Ronson Olaso slammed back the service overpass to end it.
Game 3 was a long dogfight with tremendous rallies and great defense on both sides. When Carney blocked Isaac Kneubuhl, it gave Iolani the lead for good at 7-6.
Freshman Kawika Shoji held service for four straight points, including two long rallies where he and junior Mike Contee came up with big digs. The run helped Iolani gain match point at 14-7.
Kamehameha didn't go quietly, pulling to 14-10 on a block, a throw called on Carney and a kill by Miyashiro. But the Raiders got the sideout and needed one swing for the win; the Warriors were called for a net violation when trying to block Low to end it.
"This was big for us," said Iolani coach Luis Ramirez. "We are an offensive team, no doubt about it, but tonight it was our serving and passing and floor defense that won it. This is something our team can build on."
Ma'a felt the same.
"We'll need to work on our blocking and we need to work on our defense," he said. "Defense especially is our trademark, defense and ball control. We'll talk to our boys and fix it."
The defending state girls champion also lost last night at Kekuhaupi'o. Kamehameha (3-0) outlasted Iolani (2-1) 15-4, 20-18. The Warriors share the ILH lead with Sacred Hearts (3-0), which beat St. Andrew's 15-3, 15-11.
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