The good news: The BIIF’s best girls volleyball teams are back on Oahu this week, competing at the HHSAA volleyball championships for the first time in more than two years.
The bad news: The elite schools from Oahu continue to provide considerable resistance.
The BIIF failed to put a team in the semifinals in either tournament after all three quarterfinalists lost Thursday, and only Hawaii Prep managed to win a set.
In Division I, BIIF champ Kamehameha put up a fight in the last two sets before suffering its first loss, 25-17, 25-22, 28-26 to Moanalua at its gym in Honolulu.
Maela Honma flashed with 13 kills and 22 digs for the fourth-seeded Warriors (7-1), who will face Mililani at 5 p.m. Friday at McKinley High in a consolation match. Taina Kaauwai added eight kills and Sarah Schubert has seven.
Kamaluhia Garcia (17 kills, 11 digs) and Kelia Giusta (12 kills, 21 digs) posted double-doubles for Moanalua (14-1), which advanced to face top-seeded Punahou in the semifinals. In its quarterfinal, Punahou swept Mililani.
At McKinley, second-seeded Kahuku swept BIIF runner-up Hilo High 25-11, 25-14, 25-16, advancing to face Kamehameha-Kapalama in the semifinals. In its quarterfinal, Kamehameha-Kapalama swept Baldwin.
Kalikokupuna Kealoha and Kyana Gabriel each finished with six kills for the Vikings (6-3), who will face Baldwin at 6:30 p.m. Friday at McKinley in a consolation match.
For Kahuku (13-1), Makayla Fonoimoana drilled 11 kills and Emmalei Mapu added 10.
In Division II, Damien outlasted BIIF champion Hawaii Prep in four sets at Kaimuki High. Ka Makani, the fourth seed, will face Radford in a consolation match at 5 p.m. Friday at Waipahu.
After losing in the first round Wednesday, BIIF runner-up Konawaena rebounded to beat Kalaheo in consolation play, 25-15, 25-20. The Wildcats get Molokai in another consolation match at 3:30 p.m. Friday at Waipahu.