Punahou rolls past King Kekaulike to reach D1 title game

Punahou's Tui Tuileta gets a kill attempt past King Kekaulike's Don Thompson. Sylvia Lee | SL

HONOLULU - Punahou advanced with relative ease into the HHSAA Division I boys volleyball state championship title game, sweeping the Na Ali'i of King Kekaulike Friday night, 25-9 , 25-15, and 25-15 at McKinley's Student Council Gymnasium.

Punahou has gone undefeated in league and state tournament play, dropping just one set to Kamehameha matches games ago.

"I'm really happy the way it came out," said Punahou outside hitter Larry Tuileta, recorded ten spikes and two digs in the victory against the Na Ali'i. "Overall, we did pretty well."

Tuileta and junior Micah Ma'a spearheaded the Buffanblu rout, combining for 21 spikes and three digs. As a team, Punahou racked up 45 spikes, two blocks, 16 digs, seven aces, and 40 assists in the sweep.

"We survived and get another shot to play for a state title which is always a blessing," said Punahou coach Rick Tune. "We're fortunate to be there and fortunate to have another opportunity."

Fifteen different players saw various amounts of playing time for Punahou.

"I'm really proud of (Punahou) especially coming into this match," said Tuileta. "I just want to make my team happy and play well for them."

King Kekaulike combined for a total of 26 kills, eight digs, three aces, and 23 assists in the loss, led by Colton Cowell's 7 kills and 3 digs. Na Ali'i play tomorrow in the third place game against the winner of Kamehameha and Moanalua.

"King Kekaulike is a wonderful, young team," said Tune. "I just give them all kinds of respect for what they've been able to do."

"Tuileta agreed. "They're a great team; they have some really strong hitters," he said. "I know why they made this far in the tournament."

Punahou has won the past two state titles, and will take on the winner of Moanalua and Kamehameha-Hawaii in the title game tommorrow at the Neil S. Blaisdell Center at 7:00 p.m.

Reach Aven Santiago at [email protected].