Hawaii Baptist sweeps past Saint Francis

Nicolas Caballes had a match-high nine kills with five digs in the Eagles' straight set win over Saint Francis. Greg Yamamoto | SL

MANOA — When the pressure was on, the defending champions responded.

Hawaii Baptist improved to 7-0 atop the Interscholastic League of Honolulu Division II standings with a straight set win over host Saint Francis Thursday night.

The Eagles breezed through set one, 25-13, before getting all they could handle from the Saints in a 25-23 game two victory. The 23 points in game two was the most points that Hawaii Baptist has allowed in a set in the past two years.

Nicolas Caballes was clutch for the Eagles, getting three consecutive kills in set two to give Hawaii Baptist a 21-19 lead. He finished with a match-high nine kills with five digs to lead the Eagles. Brett Miller added seven more and Caleb Fisher put down five in game one before the Eagles played with some combinations in the second set.

Micah Mitchell got the start at setter and had 16 assists. Kellen Takatsuka spent some time hitting in the first set before playing libero in game two and finished with 11 digs and three aces.

Jesus Garcia led the Saints with four kills and three digs. Wembley Mailei led the effort in the middle with three kills and two blocks.