Moanalua sweeps Kailua to advance

Moanalua MB Keila Williams skirts a kill attempt pass a Kailua defender. Williams had 11 kills and two blocks to lead Na Menehune over the Surfriders. Pete Caldwell | SL

Defending Oahu Interscholastic Association Division I champion Moanalua took care of Kailua in straight sets at Mililani Thursday night to clinch a state berth and advance to the league semifinals.

Keila Williams put down a match-high 11 kills with two blocks and Delylah Sanreivi added eight kills and three blocks to help Na Menehune (11-1) defeat the Surfriders (5-8), 25-10, 25-22, 25-15, for their fifth straight win.

Moanalua moves on to take on Mililani (11-0), the OIA Western Division's top seeded-team, in the second semifinal at McKinley's Student Council Gymnasium next Tuesday.

Williams was one of seven Moanalua players to register kills for Na Menehune. Delylah Sanreivi added eight kills and three blocks while Emily Dulaney had six kills, two aces and 21 digs. Jeslyn Spencer chipped in five kills and was in on four blocks and Rainbeau Oliveira had four kills.

Tinei Sanreivi, who came up from the junior varsity team, and backup setter Emree Sato rounded out Moanalua's attack with three kills each. Setter Sara Ehnstrom dished out 21 assists with seven digs and two aces while senior libero Hula Crisostomo stabilized the back row with a match-high 22 digs.

Moanalua coach Alan Cabanting was proud of his team's balance after relying on Jojo Kruize, the Eastern Division Player of the Year a season ago, and Lia Gaogao, the 2014 East Player of the Year, in recent seasons.

"This time around we have to depend on the team to make plays. They're really coming together and understanding that they can be really good if everybody plays together," said Cabanting.

Strong serving helped Na Menehune win game one and three with ease, but the defending champion needed to grind out a tough set two, 25-22.

"I think one of the big things was that it was nice that every time (Kailua) started catching up, one of our seniors made a play on the ball," said Cabanting.

Kailua (5-8), the Eastern Division's sixth seed, can extend its season and clinch a state berth with a win over Kalaheo (9-4) next week.

Amber Tai had eight kills and 12 digs to lead the Surfriders in the loss.