Stretched to the limit of its endurance, Moanalua needed a minor miracle to get past top-seeded Kahuku.

The Red Raiders refused to surrender, capturing the Oahu Interscholastic Association Red Conference volleyball title with a thrilling 25-18, 21-25, 28-26, 22-25, 15-13 win last night at McKinley Student Council Gym.

Kahuku, 16-0 in league play and ranked No. 3 in the Star-Bulletin Girls Volleyball Top 10, earned a seeded berth in the Division I state tournament and will have a first-round bye. Moanalua (12-5) was heroic despite playing its third match in three nights.

A win by Na Menehune in the double-elimination format would have forced Kahuku to play one more match for the league title, but the Red Raiders had too much strength at the net and too much hustle in the back row.

Nile Te'o led Kahuku with 15 kills, including four in the final set.

“;This is what we worked so hard for, what we trained so hard for,”; the senior said. “;We have nine seniors and we really wanted this.”;

Middle Amanda Tonga had eight kills and three of her team's 11 blocks. Elizabeth Blake finished with 42 assists.

Lahela Kaili-Laroya was sensational, finishing with 27 kills to pace Moanalua. Kaylee Ponce added 15 kills and Carsen Mata tallied 46 assists.

Kahuku opened the first set a bit flat, but went on a 13-1 run to take a 1-0 lead in the match.

In the last game, Moanalua rallied from a 4-1 deficit to take a 6-5 lead on an ace by Kaili-Laroya, but Kahuku took command with a 9-1 run. Te'o had three kills during the run to give the Red Raiders a 14-7 lead.

Moanalua fought back with six points in a row, including three consecutive kills by Ponce, but Blake masterfully delivered a dump into the center of Moanalua's defense for the final kill and point of the match.

“;It's huge for us,”; Kahuku coach Uila Fotu Vendiola said. “;The girls worked so hard.”;

The match concluded at 10:57 p.m.