The visiting Seariders celebrate after a three-set win over Radford at Jim Alegre Gymnasium Monday night. CJ Caraang | SL

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04051602_20160404-HU2A0186_BVB_WNAE_RAD_cjcaraang.jpg - CJ Caraang | SL

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Host Radford turned out to be a tougher opponent than Waianae expected.

The Seariders overcame a slow start to edge Radford in three sets, 18-25, 25-15 and 15-9, at Jim Alegre Gymnasium Monday night to improve to 6-2 in the Oahu Interscholastic Association Western Division.

Waianae, who was in the OIA championship match a year ago, recorded 19 total aces to get back into the win column after dropping a home game to league-leading Mililani last Wednesday.

Radford (2-6) used a brand new lineup and played many players in different positions to take game one over the visitors. 

"It was unexpected," Waianae senior Hezekiah Agiga said about dropping the first set. "We really thought it was going to be not as a tough game, but it really did come as a learning experience not to take anybody for granted."

The Seariders also rested senior outside hitter Landon Young in the opening set to give more playing time for their young players.

"I figured I didn't need him, kind of give everybody else a chance to play," said Waianae coach Wilhelm Wagner. "I hope they see how hard it is to step in there and feel that pressure and carry that weight, big shoes to fill."

Young came back in the second set and the Seariders were able to take an early 9-4 lead before Radford called timeout. The home team battled back and made it 12-11 at one point, but gave up a 10-1 run as Waianae was able to force a third set. 

"We kind of got in our heads a little bit too much," said Radford coach Christine Christe. "We knew that we could push back, but I‘m not sure if we're fully there (yet). I guess the inexperience in our lineup was our flaw in that case."

Although her team was unable to pull off the upset, Christe was extremely proud of her team's effort.

"We've been in kind of a slump, but the way they played tonight, if they play the rest of the season like this I'll be happy," she said. "I'm very proud of my boys tonight, I want them to hold their heads high, I'm holding my head high, it was nice to see." 

Austin Enos had four kills, three aces and five digs to lead the Seariders. Jayden Piliati followed with four kills and two blocks and Jaren Ulu and Landon Young each had three kills apiece. Hezekiah Agiga had a solid all-around game and finished with two kills, two aces, 10 assists and five digs.

Libero Seireadan Sana, who was playing his second game at the position, also had a big game and finished with match-highs in digs (15) and aces (six).

"Everybody wants to be an outside hitter, but I guess he looked at the big picture and (saw) there's a bunch of guys in front of him. Defensively I can use him, so he decided to make that change. I offered him that position and he stepped up to it," Wagner said on Sana. 

Keanu Tenorio had five kills, five assists and six digs to lead the Rams. George Melander added four kills and four assists and Alika Merck had three kills and three aces.