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Balanced Buffanblu
capture girls title

PUKALANI, Maui » First, Elizabeth Ka'aihue pierced Kamehameha's defense mercilessly.

Then it was Larissa Nordyke's turn. And then Michelle Luxton from the middle, Spenser Rigg from all directions, and for good measure, former state player of the year Aneli Cubi-Otineru off the bench for more ammunition.

When Kamehameha managed to return balls, Kaui Robello and Rigg swept the back row clear of haymakers, and the glue who kept it all in rhythm, setter Pohai Nuuhiwa, was virtually flawless. By the time the onslaught was over, Punahou had swept Kamehameha 25-17, 25-21 to win the 36th Annual Nissan Girls State Volleyball Championship last night at King Kekaulike gym.

Punahou capped an unbeaten season (19-0) with its second state title in a row -- a first in the school's storied history of girls volleyball.

The Buffanblu tried to keep talk of records and streaks secondary, but they made history in the process.

"We wanted to leave a legacy," Nuuhiwa said. "It feels surreal right now."

Veteran coach Scott Rigg wanted his team to focus only on the match. "We didn't want to worry about our record, or about repeating. We wanted them to remember it was just another day at the office," said Rigg, who has guided Punahou to state titles seven times -- two with the girls and five with the boys.

Ka'aihue led the attack with nine kills, hitting .471. Nordyke added six kills, while Rigg, Luxton and Cubi-Otineru added five kills apiece for the Interscholastic League of Honolulu champion.

Punahou roared to a 10-1 lead in Game 1 before the Warriors knew what hit them.

"Our whole game plan was to come out strong," Luxton said. "We came out hot, and they came out cold," Rigg said. "Chris (Kamehameha coach Blake) has done a good job with that team. If it goes three (games), anything can happen."

Kamehameha came alive in Game 2, battling even for some time. Punahou trailed 11-8 when Cubi-Otineru entered and sparked a 4-0 run.

Bukoski's roof of Cubi-Otineru gave the Warriors a 13-12 lead, but Punahou's 4-1 run gave the Buffs a 16-14 advantage that would not be relinquished. With the game tied at 20, Nuuhiwa surprised Kamehameha with a tip for a kill, and Rigg had two roofs and a kill to finish off the match.

The Buffanblu hit .310 in the match, limiting Kamehameha to a percentage of just .103.

Nuuhiwa directed a relentless attack and finished with 28 assists and a team-high nine digs. Rigg, anchoring the middle, played tremendous defense, as well. She finished with seven digs, and Ka'aihue added six.

Kamehameha, one of the hottest teams in the latter half of the season, finished 17-3. Deven Bukoski led the Warriors with four kills.

"I'm definitely proud of the effort and how far they came," Blake said. "They've matured a lot, and they left it all on the court. They never quit. We're very proud of them."

It was the third meeting this season between the two teams. Neither team added new wrinkles for this match, though. "We just try to play the same every single time," said Nuuhiwa, who delivered her usual variety of serves from the very basic to the acrobatic. "Honestly, our game against Kalani was way sharper, but it was enough to win tonight."

For the senior setter, last year's title was unique. "There's always something special about the first one, but it's sweet to repeat after I said last year that our goal was to repeat," Nuuhiwa said.

Much like Punahou's boys team, which also won a state title last night, the girls were a surplus of power, finesse, skill and immeasurable work ethic. One of the players who improved significantly was Luxton, who became a force in the middle by season's end.

"I got a lot more experience on the court this year," the 5-11 senior said.

Punahou's balance was so evident, only one player made the All-Tournament Team, selected by media. Tamari Miyashiro of Kalani was voted Most Outstanding Player, joined on the team by Nuuhiwa, Lelani Kleman-Maeva of Aiea, Danie Hout of Moanalua, Camilla Ah-Hoy of Kahuku, and teammate Ka'aihue.

Moanalua def. Kahuku 17-25, 27-25, 25-21

Danie Hout closed out an illustrious career with 19 kills, five digs and two blocks as the Menehunes rallied past the Lady Raiders in the third-place contest.

Moanalua, ranked No. 4 in the Star-Bulletin Top 10, closed the season 15-3. The Menehunes finished second in the Oahu Interscholastic Association to Kahuku, a junior-heavy squad.

Briana Amian, a sophomore, added 14 kills and eight digs for Moanalua. Melanie Manutai chipped in with three timely kills, a roof and three digs. Senior Lena Yee, who led the tournament in digs per game going into the final night, had 30 assists, two aces and a match-high 11 digs.

Kalani def. Kamehameha-Maui 19-25, 25-12, 25-21

Tamari Miyashiro finalized a tremendous career with 22 kills and eight digs as the Lady Falcons rallied past the Warriors in the fifth-place match.

Miyashiro, who hit .342, also had two of her team's seven aces. Kalani, the OIA's third-place team, finished the season 15-4.

Kauai def. Hilo 25-23, 21-25, 25-22

Kehau Judd connected for 16 kills while hitting .308, and Tina Moger tallied 14 kills as the Red Raiders fought off the Vikings for the consolation crown.

Judd, a 5-10 junior, also had six digs and two aces. Moger, a 5-7 junior, had a team-high eight digs.

Kauai (9-3) won its second consolation title in as many years. Senior setter Ligaya Malones had 25 assists and six digs. Ho'onani Dennis, the backup setter, delivered three of her team's seven aces. The Red Raiders committed just one service error in the match.