Setter Zavier Lieb racked up 20 assists and added three kills, including the match-clinching point. CJ Caraang | SL

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Setter Zavier Lieb racked up 20 assists and added three kills, including the match-clinching point. CJ Caraang | SL

View image 1 of 1

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MILILANI — With many weapons at his disposal, setter Zavier Lieb couldn't help but smile after Mililani's season-opening win over Waipahu Monday night. 

The 5-foot-8 senior spread out 20 assists across seven hitters to help the Trojans sweep the visiting Marauders, 25-17, 25-20, to begin league play in the Oahu Interscholastic Association Western Division.

"It feels really good just to be on the court again," said Lieb, who added three kills including the match-clinching point. "It kind of got out all the butterflies in our stomachs. This was a really good game and a really good start to our season."

Isaac Liva, a transfer from Hawaii Baptist, benefitted the most from Lieb's sets and racked up a match-high 10 kills with five digs. He was able to rebound from a handful of early errors after middle Samuel Palompo was able to get going to spread the Waipahu blockers out. Palompo had four kills and combined for three blocks. 

"He's actually newer to volleyball so it's really good to see him get involved," Liva said on Palompo. "He's actually doing really well and he's come really far in just the little time that he's been practicing. We're looking to use him in the middle more as the year goes along." 

Sili Fuiava, Kamalu Kaaa and Chance Guillermo added two kills each. Brandon Rabang and Jordan Burgess also had a kill for the Trojans. Fuiava and libero Gavin Custodio led the effort in the back row with seven digs each.

Waipahu was neck-and-neck with Mililani for most of the match, but kept shooting itself in the foot with miscues. The Marauders had trouble keeping momentum on their side as they had eight total service errors on the night.

"We can only get better from this point on," said Waipahu coach Julna Pasicaran, who added that most of her players don't play club ball. 

Andrew Simanu led the Marauders with four kills and had a solo block to give the team their only lead of the match. Libero Ejay Tagabi was also key as he dove after many balls to keep the point going, finishing with a match-high 12 digs.

Liva shook off his early miscues to help the Trojans pull ahead in the opening set. The 6-foot-5 senior accounted for four points during a 6-0 run that gave Mililani a 16-10 lead in game one. This gave the Trojans enough of a cushion to take set one with ease, 25-17.

Mililani jumped out to an early advantage in game two and led by as many as nine points, 21-12 in the set. Waipahu rallied back to make it close late, but could not overcome the huge deficit and got swept, 25-20. 

"It was a good way to start the season," said Mililani coach John Ing. "Waipahu is a very scrappy team. They don't give up on balls and they're well coached. They have great skills and can hit from the back court."