In a rare instance of adversity, top-seeded ‘Iolani executed brilliantly in the Division I semifinals of the HHSAA Girls Volleyball State Championships. With senior setter and returning Star-Advertiser All-State Player of the Year Bailey Nakanelua sidelined, the Raiders overcame a big run by Moanalua in the third set and hung on for a 25-14, 25-22, 27-25 sweep.
‘Iolani will face Kahuku for the state title tonight at 7 p.m. in Bankoh Arena at the Stan Sheriff Center.
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### Ainu‘u’s Versatility Shines
Taimane Ainu‘u’s versatility proved to be a key factor for ILH champion ‘Iolani (25-7) when Nakanelua left the match during the third set. Ainu‘u finished with a match-high 17 kills but also delivered seven assists in place of her teammate at setter.
Reserve Mary Kate Kawakami came off the bench to provide a critical defensive play with a diving dig and added a kill. Poema Kalama-Kingma tallied 11 kills, while Georgie Lee contributed 10 kills and 16 digs as the Raiders advanced to the final for the second consecutive year.
Libero Maddix Taniguchi added 12 digs, and Elle Arceneaux set the tone early with three blocks.
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### Rising to the Challenge
Ainu‘u’s vast skill set was never more valuable than on Friday. “I feel like I did OK. I was just helping out my teammates. Stepping into that situation is kind of tough with our starting setter out,” said Ainu‘u. “I just had to lean on my teammates to get through it.”
‘Iolani led set three 10-7 when Nakanelua was unable to continue playing. The team’s trainer brought Nakanelua an inhaler, but their floor leader sat out the rest of the match after recording 26 assists and 10 digs.
Moanalua rallied to take a 22-21 lead, but ‘Iolani held strong.
“We knew we had the pieces to win the set,” Kalama-Kingma said. “We know our bench can come in and play.”
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### Team Effort Amid Adversity
With Ainu‘u setting, the Raiders had one less cannon in their arsenal, but Lee stepped up, delivering five kills on 20 swings in the third set.
“We practiced for this. We have a competitive environment at practice, so we know how to handle ourselves no matter who’s on the court,” Lee said. “As long as we have each other’s backs, I think we can win together.”
Nakanelua’s return is expected for the championship match tonight.
“Bailey’s a competitor. She’ll find a way to get through it and be ready tomorrow. I’m proud of the kids for stepping up,” said ‘Iolani coach Kainoa Obrey. “Mary Kate came in and did a great job. We’ve got a bunch of volleyball players and they know how to play the game. We put them out there and help guide them, but ultimately, they make things happen—their engagement, paying attention, recognizing some things, and playing good volleyball.”
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### Moanalua’s Strong Showing
Moanalua (24-7), the OIA runner-up, was led by Surfia Grounds with 13 kills and Nora Carey with 11. Libero Sienna Lee hustled for 25 digs, while Faleaka Fonua contributed 17 assists and Rylie Ramones dished out 15.
“I feel like we played with our all on the court. It was our last home game of the season, so we put it all out there,” said Grounds, a 6-foot-5 sophomore. “We pushed through pretty good. This season has gone pretty well for how young we are, and next year will be even better.”
One point here, one point there, and the third set could have swung Moanalua’s way, potentially changing the course of the match.
“Moanalua didn’t give up. They kept fighting. Coach Alan (Cabanting) and his staff do a great job over there. They put us in a tough spot where we had to earn it,” Obrey said. “On the flip side, it’s good to have one of these types of matches where we had to earn each and every point, especially at the end. I’m proud of our kids and staff for preparing all season long for something like this to happen.”
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### Match Highlights
Moanalua led early, but the Raiders pulled away after trailing 8-7. Ainu‘u stunned with kills off an overpass and off Grounds in the back row to give ‘Iolani a 12-9 lead. Following a hitting error by Carlee Sausi-Callejo, the Raiders put down back-to-back roofs by Ainu‘u and Nakanelua. A hitting error by Grounds sparked a 9-1 run from ‘Iolani, pushing their lead to 16-9. Moanalua would not get closer than six points the rest of the set.
Ainu‘u recorded eight kills without an error in 11 attempts, plus an ace in the opener.
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### Set Two Momentum Swings
Na Menehune regrouped and led in set two. Blocks by Carey and Alessandra Siazon boosted Moanalua’s momentum, but Nakanelua distributed effectively to Lee, Kalama-Kingma, and Ainu‘u, breaking through Moanalua’s defense.
After a roof by Elle Arceneaux and a hitting error by Grounds, ‘Iolani led 15-9.
Moanalua fought back, narrowing the gap to 15-13 on a dump kill by Fonua.
After a right-side kill by Carey, Moanalua was within one point.
Carey registered her third block of the match moments later, but Na Menehune found themselves down 20-16. They scored the next three points, including a right-side kill by Miya Waikiki, to pull within 20-19.
Ema Tom roofed Lee, and down 21-20, ‘Iolani scored the next two points, including another kill from Ainu‘u.
Moanalua closed in at 23-22 due to a hitting error by Ainu‘u, but back-to-back hitting errors from Waikiki and Ramones ended the set in favor of ‘Iolani.
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### Intense Third Set Without Nakanelua
The third set changed tone when Nakanelua left the floor. After a pause, she remained on the bench, looking drowsy and dabbing her eye with a towel.
Ainu‘u took over setting duties, while Arceneaux stepped up with back-to-back blocks as the Raiders went on a 4-1 run to open a 14-8 lead.
However, Moanalua capitalized on Nakanelua’s absence, an outstanding blocker. Grounds’ kill brought Moanalua within a point, followed by Carey’s kill to tie the score at 21.
A push kill by Fonua gave Moanalua the lead, and after a kill by Grounds, Na Menehune led 23-21.
Ainu‘u responded with a roof on Sausi-Callejo, and after a hitting error by Grounds, the set was tied at 23.
Following a timeout, Moanalua was called for a rotation violation, handing the lead back to ‘Iolani.
On match point at 26-25, the Raiders withstood two swings by Grounds before Ainu‘u fed Kalama-Kingma for a left-side smash to end the contest.
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### ILH’s Dominance Continues
An ILH team has won every state title since 2002, when Kahuku prevailed under then-coach Mona Ah-Hoy. Prior to 2002, ILH teams won each title dating back to 1981, when Kailua took the crown under coach Daniel Kealoha.
Tonight’s championship match between ‘Iolani and Kahuku promises to continue this longstanding tradition of ILH excellence in Hawaii high school girls volleyball.
https://www.staradvertiser.com/2025/11/01/sports/hawaii-prep-world/iolani-overcomes-big-run-by-moanalua/