Campbell outside hitter Julius Momoe-Mitchell (10) scores over Radford's Bezeiah Togafau (15) in the fourth set at Radford's Jim Alegre Gymnasium. CJ Caraang | SL

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[email protected] - CJ Caraang | SL

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HALAWA - Julius Momoe-Mitchell recorded a match-high 17 kills to help Campbell fend off relentless Radford, 18-25, 25-21, 25-19, 25-23, Tuesday night in Oahu Interscholastic Association Western Division boys' volleyball at Jim Alegre Gymnasium.

The Division I Sabers won their third consecutive match to start the season, all against Diviion II opponents. The Rams (1-1) gave Campbell all it could handle after taking the first set of the night.

"They had to dig deep in this one," Campbell coach Shane Duhon said. "They had to rely on each other."

Momoe-Mitchell concurred: "(It was) keeping our mindset in the game, not getting mad at each other and sticking together as a team."

The Rams dominated the first set. They opened a 13-10 lead with a 5-0 run to make it 18-10 after a kill by Keahi Kaneakua, who led the Rams with nine kills. The Sabers would pull to 19-15 ended the used a 6-3 run with Bezeiah Togafau drillinh the ball off a Campbell block that deflected out of bounds to end the set.

Radford continued to torment the Sabers,  but eight sevice errors derailed the Rams' chances of taking a commanding 2-0 lead.

"That took a toll on the scoreboard," Radford coach Melanie Toloumu said.

The match was emotionally draining for the Rams, who lost libero Brayden Butay early in the match with an unknown injury that sent him to the hospital.

"Part of my head is just concerned about my player who's at the hospital ritght now."

The service errors hurt the Rams and aided in the Sabers comeback. After evening the match a 1, the Saber battled through to take the thid set with Momoe registering 9 of his 17 kills, the ninth driving through a Rams double block for set point.

The Rams remained strong, tying the set at 23 in the fourth ser.

Kainalnu Pascua-Mateo got his sixth kill to set up match point, which was made by Amari Branch's sixth kill of the night. Kitiona Uli assisted on those two scores for his 33rd an 34th assisits in the match.

Mozaic Mulipola had eight kills and had a team-high four block assists for the Sabers.

This was originally Campbell's home game, but the school's gym is undergoing the installation of new bleachers, so for now all of their matches are away.

"Hopefully, the bleachers are installled soon so we can at least have a home game for our seniors' night" Duhon said. "It's been a challenge playing away."

It will be a challenge, as most of the Sabers' opponents are in Division I.

Up next for the Sabers iare at Divisiion II Waialua, while the Rams, host Division I Leilehua. Both matches are Thursday.