No. 4 Kamehameha ekes out five-set win over No. 10 Mililani

Brian Bautista | SL

The defending champs aren't done yet.

Conor Williams and Cain Kahahawai put down 15 kills apiece to help No. 4 Kamehameha rally to a five-set win over No. 10 Mililani in a first-round match of the New City Nissan/HHSAA Division I Boys Volleyball State Championships at Kekuhaupio Gymnasium Monday night.

The set scores were 25-21, 20-25, 19-25, 25-21 and 15-13.

The ILH runner-up Warriors (13-6) did just enough to eke by the Trojans (9-5), who finished fourth in the OIA tournament.

"It was very surreal. We came into this game, we wanted to win and we just played for each other and I'm proud of this outcome," said Williams, a senior outside hitter and a returning starter from last year's state championship team. "No matter how hard this challenge was during this game, I'm really proud of how far we've gone."

Edward Tanaka contributed 11 kills and Jaeden Miyahana added 10 kills. Nathaniel Koahou dished out 48 assists and Braden Maneja came up with a match-high 21 digs in the win.

Seth Kimura (21 kills, 10 digs), Kaito Duranceau (18 kills, 13 digs) and Carson Nakamura (31 assists, 15 digs) each recorded a double-double for Mililani. Justice Ishizaka tallied 14 digs and Isaiah Holeso had 20 assists in the loss.

Kamehameha moves on to face third-seeded Hilo in Thursday's quarterfinal round. First serve between the Warriors and Vikings is scheduled for 5 p.m. at Castle.