Kamehameha has one last chance to defeat the dragon.
Challengers from Punahou and Kapalama, the 10-time boys volleyball state champions, fielded the best teams the Oahu Interhigh Association has to offer in Friday's semifinals at Hemmeter Fieldhouse to crown the New City Nissan/HHSAA Division I champions. advanced to the ship finals.
The Warriors and star Kainoa Wade were determined to return to this stage after a heartbreaking loss to Buffan Blue in last year's final at Cannon Activities Center on the North Shore.
They accomplished part of that mission by defeating OIA champion Moanalua in four games, 25-11, 26-28, 25-20, 25-19, recording 36 kills on 60 swings. Wade is a junior at the University of Hawaii and will graduate early and play college ball next spring.
Punahou (15-0) won all four games against Kamehameha (13-5) in the Honolulu Interhigh League regular season and playoffs. Rick Tune's Bouffant Bleu easily defeated OIA runner-up Mililani 25-17, 25-19, 25-19 in a typically balanced effort. Adam Hyder and Brody Badham had 10 kills, and Evan Porter and Afatia Thompson had nine kills.
Bouffant Blue setter Naru Akana had 29 assists, 11 digs, one ace and three blocks.
The final, to be played Saturday at 7 p.m. at Blaisdell Arena, will rely on Buffan Blue's well-balanced, well-oiled machine and 6-foot-8 opposite Wade, who poses a threat all over the net. It will be a true contrast of styles. This generation of Hawaii high school volleyball connects and kills more players than any other player.
It looked like 2023 would be the year after the Warriors won the ILH, only for Dynasty Buffan Blue to surprise them at the goal line. Will the opposite be true this time?
“It's a dream come true (to come back) after losing that ship last year,” said Warriors libero Harizen Soares, who played five games against Moanalua. I just wanted to get the ship back for the people.” told Spectrum News.
A passionate Soares bleached his hair blonde to show his dedication to the state tournament.
“Just losing to them in the ILH Championship and getting back at the guys that (they) have been winning all year is a big motivation for us. We like it,” he said. Ta. “We have one last game left against them and this game is really important. We're going to go full throttle, empty the tank and use everything we have.”
The Division II final at 5 p.m. will guarantee the first championship between ILH schools University Lab (13-0) and Le Jardin (9-6).
The Junior Bowes defeated Molokai in the semifinals Friday in Kalani, and the Bulldogs eliminated Konawaena by five losses.
Brian McInnis covers the state's sports scene for Spectrum News Hawaii. Contact him at brian.mcinnis@charter.com.
