Aiea sweeps Pearl City for first win of year

Aiea players celebrate after winning a point. Na Alii got their first win of the year with a straight set win over Pearl City. CJ Caraang | SL

Aiea finally found a way to get it done.

Na Alii closed out both sets with strong runs and got 18 total service aces to sweep visiting Pearl City, 25-22 and 25-17, for their first win of the season Monday night.

"It feels pretty awesome," said Ariq Vergado-Duclayan. "We finally played as a team and came together as one unit. It feels pretty good."

Pearl City suffered its fourth straight loss of the year and dropped to 1-4.

The home team utilized its versatility to great success against the Chargers as four different players had assists in the match.

"That's our style, what we do," said Aiea coach Erin Coker. "We teach everybody to do every position so that when they're called upon to do something they can."

Vergado-Duclayan and Sene Malala each had five kills to lead the offense and combined for five assists. Travis Hauki had a solid all-around game with three kills, seven digs, five aces and five assists.

Aiea trailed by three, 22-19, in the opening set before closing out the set with a 6-0 run spurred by the serving of Teejay Tome, who had four aces in the stretch.

"We started talking together and started playing our game," said Vergado-Duclayan.

Na Alii finished the second set in similar fashion. After Pearl City took a 16-15 lead, Aiea went on a 10-1 run behind Mona Agasiva's five aces to win the match.

"The serves were pretty awesome and we was getting it over and hitting it to the open areas," said Vergado-Duclayan.

Toby Kammunkun had a match-high seven kills to lead the Chargers.