KEA‘AU — No. 1 (East) Kamehameha Schools-Hawai‘i started its 2024 Central Pacific Bank/Big Island Interscholastic Federation (BIIF) Division I volleyball playoff slate by playing just how it has all season.
The unbeaten Warriors hosted No. 3 (East) Hilo on Monday night in Kea‘au in the island semifinals. KSH enjoyed taking the quarterfinals off after earning a bye for finishing as the outright No. 1 seed. The Vikings beat Kealakehe in straight sets on the Kona side earlier in the weekend to advance.
The Warriors made quick work of Hilo, winning against the visitors for the third time this season. Monday was also the 16th time KSH has beaten its opponent in straight sets (17-0).
The first set was close, as the Vikings dug a lot of balls and played great team volleyball. But the Warriors still edged Hilo 25-23. KSH quickly adjusted and closed the final two frames — 25-13 and 25-17.
The Warriors’ usual stars stuffed the stat sheet, as Maile Kuamo‘o dished out an impressive 30 assists. Shay Beals, Mia Polloi and Camryn Grace combined for 30 kills.
On the defensive side of the net, KSH posted a plethora of digs — 16 from Kealohi Dudoit, 15 from Beals, 10 from Grace, eight from Kuamo‘o and seven from Ziona Launiu.
With one win to go to claim the island title, the Warriors will voyage across the Saddle Road to play east-side opponent Waiakea in the CPB/BIIF Division I Championship at 7 p.m. this evening at Konawaena High School.
Hilo’s (14-4) season isn’t over yet, and will next play the Wildcats at 5 p.m. tonight inside Ellison Onizuka Gymnasium for the third-place title. It is the first time both schools will meet this season.
Waiakea 3, Kona 0
No. 2 (East) Waiakea and No. 1 (West) Konawaena girls volleyball met in the CPB/BIIF DI semifinals on Monday night in Kealakekua for the first time in 2024, and the visiting Warriors made the most of their business trip.
Waiakea (15-3) swept the hosts in consecutive sets — 25-20, 26-17 and 25-22.
With the win, the Warriors will play for the Division I title tonight against KSH. When the two teams last met on Sept. 25, KSH won 3-0.
The Wildcats (13-4) will host Hilo at Konawaena High School tonight for third place.
Parker 3, Honoka‘a 0
No. 2 (West) Parker girls volleyball handled No. 4 (West) Honoka‘a in the CPB/BIIF DII quarterfinals on Monday inside Waimea District Park Gymnasium. The Bulls won in straight sets — 25-11, 25-14 and 25-8.
Parker (16-2) advanced to the semifinals against No. 1 (East) Ka‘u on Tuesday in Pahala. See Thursday’s paper to read the results.
The Dragons’ season ended at 9-9.
Kohala 3, Pahoa 1
No. 3 (West) Kohala girls volleyball traveled to No. 2 (East) Pahoa on Monday for a CPB/DII quarterfinals matchup. Kohala won 3-1 to advance to the semifinals against No. 1 (West) HPA let Tuesday night. See Thursday’s paper for the results.
For the Daggers, their season has ended at 8-10.