Iolani needs four sets to dispatch Punahou

Greg Yamamoto | SL

Iolani opened up its ILH campaign with a four set win over Punahou at Lower Gymnasium, 25-17, 25-22, 16-25, 25-15.

Setter Bailey Nakanelua dished out 36 assists and added four kills, and the Raiders got double digit kill production from Taimane Ainuu and Poema Kalama-Kingma.

"It's hard only having one pin at a time, but knowing that I have three and a backrow one, I think it's great to have," said Nakanelua of the variety of weapons at her disposal.

That array of hitter included 16 kills from Ainuu and 13 from Kalama-Kingma, as well as eight kills from Annaura Reid-Gillet and six more from Georgie Lee. The Iolani front line also accounted for 10 of the team's 15 total blocks.

Ainuu was quick to credit the Raiders' offensive output to the impact Nakanelua makes as setter.

"It's really great having Bailey as my setter because I know wherever she puts the ball, she's putting it in the right spot for me. She also uplifts my confidence, like if I get blocked, she's like 'it's okay, just keep swinging at it."

The Raiders built a two sets to none lead before struggling in set three, letting the Buffanblu get back into match with a 25-16 win to make it just a 2-1 advantage.

Despite momentum seemingly on the side of the visitors, the Raiders stayed the course in set four.

"I think it's all about our calmness on the court," said Nakanelua. "I think all of us just trusting each other, knowing that we're going to make these plays and stay disciplined."

That compsure helped Iolani build a double digit advantage in the fourth, a margin that the Punahou was unable to rally from.

Kealoha Cox and True Takamoto hit for 13 and 12 kills respectively and Kuupua Saole added seven more in the loss for the Buffanblu, who also recorded 19 total blocks, led by Zoe Kearney and Evelyn Kilisi with five each.

Setter Makenna Mello equaled Nakanelua with four kills and added 33 assists as well.