Kamehameha, the Division I runner-up in last year's state tournament, had to do some real soul-searching of late to question whether the Warriors could make a deep run in Division I in this week's New City Nissan/HHSAA Boys Volleyball State Championships.

After getting drubbed by 'Iolani (twice) and Punahou toward the end of the regular season, Kamehameha held two long team meetings to address its shortcomings.

Lahainaluna, the Warriors' first-round opponent in the state tournament, saw just how focused Kamehameha is now. The Warriors throttled the Lunas 25-6, 25-12, 25-11 at the Kaimuki High gym yesterday. It was a complete domination in which third-ranked Kamehameha never trailed in the 50-minute drubbing.

“;After that loss to 'Iolani (May 1), it hit us in the head, woke us up,”; said junior Daylan Chock. “;We really took that in, and I think we're ready for what's to come.”;

Kamehameha (17-4), which has earned four state titles but none since winning back-to-back crowns in 2001 and 2002, advanced to take on second-seeded Roosevelt. The Rough Riders, ranked eighth in the state, earned a first-round bye by winning the Oahu Interscholastic Association title. The two teams match up at Kaimuki tonight at 7.

Roosevelt will have to be ready for a number of looks from Kamehameha, a perennial Interscholastic League of Honolulu power. Two weeks ago against 'Iolani, Kamehameha used a 6-2 offense almost exclusively.

But Kamehameha coach Guy Kaniho, knowing he had some wiggle room yesterday, incorporated a 5-1 offense in the first set, then used a 6-2 offense in the second set with only one starter (Chock) on the court. Star Micah Christenson finished with three kills on four swings after seeing action in Set 1 only, and 11 Warriors pounded 33 kills in the three-game sweep.

“;We have a game plan and right now we kind of came into here, to our first match, knowing that we could juggle things around, put different personnel on the court,”; Kaniho said. “;Our game plan was to get as many players as many reps as possible, try out different things within the flow of the 5-1. But our bread and butter has been the 6-2, and we cannot stray from that.”;

What Kamehameha needed to change was its mental toughness and intensity, two issues that Kaniho ripped his team for after that May 1 loss to 'Iolani. In that match, the Warriors were close at the end of all three games, and all three times they were unable to find the necessary mettle to pull out a win.

It was an exasperating loss for Kamehameha, but in hindsight, it might have served as the necessary impetus for a rejuvenated and revived Warriors team. While yesterday's first-round win was a nice start, the real tests will come later this week as they work for another appearance in the championship match.

'IOLANI DEF. LEILEHUA 25-16, 25-9, 25-19

Junior outside hitter Logan Nowack led the Raiders over the Mules yesterday at Kaimuki. Nowack slammed 12 kills and hit .400, and middle blocker William Chambers added seven kills and a .500 hitting percentage. The Raiders' block was also strong with nine rejections.

Brock Paikai led Leilehua with five kills and seven digs.

WAIAKEA DEF. KALANI 25-16, 25-18, 25-15

The Warriors cruised to a three-set sweep over the Falcons yesterday at the McKinley gym. Outside hitter Clayton Morante Jr. led Waiakea with 18 kills.

Angelo Berardy led Kalani with eight kills, five digs and three assists.

PEARL CITY DEF. WAIANAE 25-20, 25-9, 25-14

The Chargers avenged their OIA tournament loss to the Seariders yesterday at McKinley, winning in three sets and advancing to the quarterfinal match against Punahou.

Pearl City defeated Waianae twice in the regular season, but was ousted in the league playoffs by the Seariders.

Senior outside hitter Bradley Rodrigues tallied 13 kills and four digs for Pearl City. Johnovan Tyrell led Waianae with six kills, six digs and four assists.