One year is a long time to wait for a second chance.

The 'Iolani Raiders made the best of it, fighting off Hawaii Baptist 27-25, 23-25, 25-22 last night before a crowd of about 250 at the Raiders' gym.

Mahina Haina's 17 kills led No. 5-ranked 'Iolani and Alissa Youart had eight of her 12 kills in the final set as the Raiders beat the Interscholastic League of Honolulu's top D-II volleyball team. HBA upset 'Iolani last year at the Eagles' gym.

This season's Raiders are more confident.

“;We have more passion this year. Everyone's on the same page,”; said Youart, a 5-foot-11 senior. “;We think we should be at the top. We feel we belong there. This helps us get ready for Kamehameha and Punahou.”;

Freshman Loxley Keala added seven kills, middle Kamea Chock had five and Mali'e Yoon dished 35 assists for 'Iolani, now 7-1.

Sarah Palmer had 18 kills, three aces and 13 digs for No. 6 HBA (6-2). C'era Oliveira added 11 kills and eight digs, and setter Kayla Kawamura had 32 assists and 12 digs. Libero Taryn Bohan had a team-high 15 digs.

“;I really wanted to win. We should have when we had the lead,”; Kawamura said.

“;We played hard,”; Palmer added, “;but we didn't make the plays when we needed them.”;

The final set had eight lead changes and 15 ties. HBA trailed by two, but came back to tie it at 21-all on an ace by Krystal Oyasato.

A cross-court kill by Palmer tied it for the last time at 22-all, but a net violation gave the lead back to 'Iolani. Youart then put the match away with back-to-back kills off blocks over the middle.

“;We can play with a defensive team,”; Raiders coach Jenic Tumaneng said. “;All of our back row got in digs. On offense, we stayed aggressive and didn't make too many hitting errors. It just came down to execution. We still have a shot (to win) the first round.”;

HBA, the two-time defending Division II state champion, also pushed D-I powerhouse Punahou hard last week but lost in two close sets.

“;A few plays here and there, we could've executed better,”; Eagles coach Myles Shioji said. “;'Iolani played well and we did, too. Hat's off to them.”;