Molokai, University Lab post sweeps to reach D2 semis

Rayden Aoki | SL

Molokai is marching on to the Division II semifinals of the New City Nissan/HHSAA Boys Volleyball State Championships.

The Farmers took down OIA champion Waialua in straight sets, 25-21, 25-22, and 25-23, in its first state tournament appearance since 2018.

Jericho Adolpho led all players with 18 kills and added 11 digs and a block, and Teaho Poepoe added 11 kills, 10 digs and three aces for Molokai, accounting for all but six of the teams' total kills on the evening.

On the side of the net, Shane Kelly and Dayton Quick each reached double digit kills, with 14 and 12 respectively.

With nearly identical numbers in kills (Waialua actually had more total kills with 37) and exactly five aces apiece, the Farmers' edge up front proved to the difference, outblocking the Bulldogs with 13 total blocks compared to just five for OIA champs.

Molokai's Wesley Dela Cruz and Waialua's Cyres Lacar each had 29 assists for their respective teams.

In the other quarterfinal match at Kalani High School, University Lab got 29 total kills from Koa Laboy and Micah Nakasato, while holding Kau to a negative hitting percentage in a 25-16, 25-19, 25-15 victory.

Laboy added nine digs, three aces and two blocks to his 15 kills, while Nakasato had 14 kills, seven digs and an ace. Kawehi Kaneakua had 31 assists and registered a kill, an ace, a block and a dig, and Kenna Quitan had a game-high 11 digs.

The teams will face off tomorrow in the 7 p.m. semifinal back at the Falcons' gymnasium.