Kahuku's magical run came to a sudden end against the almighty Interscholastic League of Honolulu.

Unseeded Punahou made quick work of the previously unbeaten Oahu Interscholastic Association champions, needing only 65 minutes to defeat the second-seeded Red Raiders 25-12, 25-18, 25-20 last night to advance to the Division I final of the New City Nissan/HHSAA Girls Volleyball State Championships.

The Buffanblu will meet three-time defending state champion Kamehameha for the title. The two teams have played four times this season, with the Warriors winning three, all in the last three weeks.

“;We're going to have to play a lot better,”; Punahou coach Jim Iams said.

The Buffanblu seem on their way to doing that after plowing through the Red Raiders (17-1). Shar Manu-Olevao led a balanced Buffanblu attack with 11 kills, and got plenty of help from Juliana Behrens (nine kills) and Brigitte Russo (seven kills).

“;We found a rotation that worked for us,”; Manu-Olevao said. “;It was a big help to all of us, especially on defense.”;

The Buffanblu scrambled for 35 digs, gobbling up nearly everything thrown at them. Nile Te'o was one of only two Red Raiders with more than three kills, finishing with six, as Kahuku hit .071 for the match.

“;I think our defense really helped us the most tonight,”; said Anuhea Keanini, who hit negative and was held to four kills, but added 11 assists and seven digs. “;Our offense wasn't as crisp as I think we would like it to be, but we pulled out the kills when we needed to.”;

Kahuku entered the game excited at the opportunity to prove itself against the ILH after running through the OIA season unscathed.

But the Buffanblu jumped all over the Red Raiders in Set 1, hitting .462 and doubling Kahuku in kills.

“;I think every team we play we want to get out on them early,”; Keanini said. “;It gives us a little cushion.”;

Amanda Tonga had one of her four blocks to tie the second set at 13, but Punahou closed it out on a 12-5 run, including six straight points to end the set.

Kahuku again kept it close in the third game, but two key service errors late were costly as the Buffanblu ended the game on a kill by Russo.

The Buffanblu will now face a Kamehameha team that has beaten them three consecutive times this season.

The Buffanblu will need to play a near-perfect game, but also can't let the stage of a state final get to them.

“;I'd say our defense and our pass-receive needs to be better,”; Keanini said. “;The past couple of games against them, our passing has been iffy.”;

Added Manu-Olevao, “;We just need to relax and have fun. I think we've been too stressed when we play them.”;

The final is tonight at 8 at the Stan Sheriff Center.

State girls volleyball

Division I
Seeds: 1. Kamehameha (ILH); 2. Kahuku (OIA); 3. Waiakea (BIIF); 4. Kamehameha-Maui (MIL)
Yesterday
Consolation bracket
11: Moanalua def. Farrington 25-22, 25-14
12: Mililani def. Waiakea 25-22, 18-25, 15-11
Championship bracket semifinals
13: Kamehameha def. Kamehameha-Maui 25-20, 25-19, 25-19
14: Punahou def. Kahuku 25-12, 25-18, 25-20
Today
All matches at Stan Sheriff Center
Consolation championship: Aiea vs. Baldwin, noon
Fifth place: Moanalua vs. Mililani, 1:30 p.m.
Third place: Kahuku vs. Kamehameha-Maui, 4:30 p.m.
Championship: Punahou vs. Kamehameha, 8 p.m.
Division II
Seeds: 1. Hawaii Baptist (ILH); 2. Molokai (MIL); 3. Kapolei (OIA); 4. Hilo (BIIF)
Yesterday
Consolation bracket
11: Castle def. Hilo 25-21, 25-19
12: Kapolei def. University 25-20, 25-16
Championship bracket semifinals
13: Hawaii Baptist def. Kailua 25-19, 25-23, 25-20
14: Word of Life def. Molokai 25-19, 25-19, 25-20
TOday
All matches at Stan Sheriif Center
Consolation championship: Seabury Hall vs. Honokaa, 9 a.m.
Fifth place: Castle vs. Kapolei, 10:30 a.m.
Third place: Kailua vs. Molokai, 3 p.m.
Championship: Hawaii Baptist vs. Word of Life, 6 p.m.