The Kamehameha Warriors are back in the girls volleyball state tournament.

Talia Jardin pounded a career-high 15 kills as No. 2-ranked Kamehameha escaped with a 17-25, 27-25, 25-23, 19-25, 15-11 victory over fourth-ranked 'Iolani last night at the Raiders' gym.

A crowd of about 800, including a robust group of Warriors fans, watched Kamehameha (15-2) move into the final of the Interscholastic League of Honolulu tournament. Kamehameha faces Punahou, the regular-season winner. No date has been set yet for that match.

A balanced Warriors attack did just enough to offset a vigorous defensive effort by 'Iolani. Taylor Akana added 14 kills and two aces, Alex Akana tallied 12 kills and two blocks, and Whitney Viveiros chipped in 10 kills, including three in the decisive final set.

“;Talia was doing awesome. She got up quick, putting balls away,”; said setter Caitlyn Andrade, who had 48 assists.

Between Jardin and Alex Akana, the Warriors got 27 kills in the middle.

“;I am so glad we took destiny into our hands this time,”; Akana said, referring to last week's loss to Punahou. Kamehameha led 23-18 in the final set before falling.

This time, reeling after a dominating win by 'Iolani in the fourth set, Kamehameha turned to a new menu of selections in the fifth.

“;We flipped the switch,”; coach Chris Blake said. “;We got more inside sets.”;

Alex Akana knocked down two kills and added a block as Kamehameha bolted to a 5-0 lead. After kills by Jardin and Taylor Akana, the Warriors had an 11-4 lead.

'Iolani turned to Mali'e Yoon, whose two aces sparked a 4-0 run. However, freshman Misty Ma'a and Taylor Akana sent down kills from the right side to give Kamehameha a 13-9 lead. A hitting error by Iolani and Jardin's final kill ended the match.

The Raiders (14-3) saw their season end with the elimination loss. Only two ILH teams have berths in the state tournament.

“;I love these girls. What else can you ask for? The kids played tough,”; 'Iolani coach Jenic Tumaneng said. “;When you get equal teams, it's fun. It's just too bad we don't have three berths.”;

I'isha Keliikoa hammered 17 kills to lead the Raiders. Mahina Haina added 13 kills and two aces, and Chelsea Hardin had 10 kills and 3 1/2 blocks. Yoon finished with 46 assists and two aces.

“;We ran out of points,”; said Hardin, who will play at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo next year. “;What I love is going to practice. Once we bonded, it was more fun than ever. Now there's no more volleyball. I can't come be with my team any more.”;

The Raiders were one of only two teams to beat Kamehameha. At the start, they looked like they might do it again.

Kamehameha hit .361 in the opening set, with only one hitting error, but committed six service errors and six net violations. 'Iolani seized a 9-3 lead and never gave it up.

Keliikoa didn't get many more opportunities on step-out plays the rest of the night once Kamehameha adjusted with double blocks on the outside.

Still, after five lead changes in the second set, the Raiders had a 24-23 lead on Haina's kill off a double block. However, Ma'a sent down a kill from the left side to tie it up.

A hitting error by Ma'a gave Iolani a 25-24 edge, but consecutive hitting miscues by the Raiders gave Kamehameha a 26-25 lead. Taylor Akana then delivered a difficult kill from the right side off the back row and the Warriors were back in the match.

Kamehameha led 23-17 in the third set when 'Iolani made a last-ditch run.

Iolani rebounded in the fourth set by jumping to a 6-0 lead. Kamehameha pulled within 13-10, but the tough serving of Tokuhama (two aces) fueled a 6-0 run. The Warriors hit .481 in the fourth, but Iolani forced a fifth set.