Kaiser celebrates on the floor after beating Leilehua in four sets for its second OIA crown. CJ Caraang | SL

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Kaiser celebrates on the floor after beating Leilehua in four sets for its second OIA crown. CJ Caraang | SL

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KAKAAKO — The Kaiser girls volleyball team had just two wins in 2018.

One year later, the Cougars are champions.

Kaiser bounced back after losing a close opening set to win its second OIA title — the team's first since 2009 — with a 26-28, 25-21, 25-18, 25-22 win over Leilehua in the league's Division II final Wednesday night at McKinley's Student Council Gymnasium.

"They are learning how to win, and they finally got it," said second-year Kaiser coach Kainoa Downing, who led Kamehameha to a boys volleyball state title in 2011.

"We're not perfect, but the girls try hard. They try to do the best that they're capable of doing and I'm very proud of their work ethic."

The Cougars (7-6) held a 19-13 lead in the first set, but saw their advantage slip away as the Mules rallied to win the opening stanza in extra points.

The next two sets was a much different story as Kaiser never trailed and led by as many as 11 points in the second and third period.

"We (told) ourselves to just bring the momentum up," said senior outside hitter Pulelehua Keb. "We really wanted it, so that's when we put our whole hearts out there and took everything we learned at practice right to the gym."

Keb was the leading hitter for Kaiser with 13 kills, 17 digs and four aces, but many others were key contributors as well. All seven Cougars that played recorded at least three digs and six players registered kills. Five players also had aces to give Kaiser 14 total points from the service line.

Tehina Misi had nine kills with four blocks and three aces, Jaylnn Nihipali chipped in seven kills while dishing out 20 assists, Jordyn Hayashi added six kills with four aces, Angelica Young had five kills and Kaili Taylor rounded out the attack with three kills of her own. Kayana Mossman also added 18 assists as the Cougars' second setter.

"A lot of girls don't really play club on our team, (but) I think more of our chemistry and our bonding brought the team together more than skill," said Keb. "Our bond is amazing. Some of us don't really hang out at school, but once we're in the gym, we're one family and it's super awesome."

Downing also made sure to give credit to the other four players on his team: Natalie Nishiguchi, Mira Akeo, Sanaia Kipapa and Alexa Wacker.

"Without all of our eleven, we're nothing," he said. "Our extra girls all work hard. They are really a big part of what we do."

Alohilani Keola put down 13 kills with 13 digs to lead the Mules (6-6) in the loss.

Both teams will represent the OIA in next week's New City Nissan D2 12-team state tournament, which begins on Wednesday, Oct. 24.