National powers gather at Punahou


The nation's top boys' volleyball team, Mira Costa (California), will take on defending state champion Punahou, 7 p.m. Saturday at Punahou's Hemmeter Field House.

The four-team tournament opens Friday with 'Iolani, last year's third-place team in the state, taking on Mira Costa at 5 p.m. The Buffanblu will play Santa Barbara, which is ranked 19th nationally.

On Saturday, the Raiders play Santa Barbara at 5 p.m. with the Buffanblu taking on Mira Costa after.

Punahou is ranked fifth nationally and 'Iolani is 18th.

Though not in the tournament, Kamehameha is ranked eighth nationally.

The national rankings are from the ESPN Rise Fab 50.

Tickets for the tournament are $7 for adults and $3 for students.

Friday's matches will be broadcast on OC16, while Saturday's matches will be streamed on www.punahou.edu, according to a Punahou press release.