Iolani middle Cameryn Ann Nagaji puts down a kill in the first set against Mid-Pacific Greg Yamamoto | SL

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Iolani senior OH Elena Oglivie had a match-high nine kills in the Raiders' two-set win. Greg Yamamoto | SL

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Iolani's Becca Sakoda was solid in an expanded role after playing mostly in the back row in 2018. Greg Yamamoto | SL

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The defending state champions was not going to let a delayed start slow them down.

Iolani got the best of visiting Mid-Pacific at the Father Kenneth A. Bray Athletic Complex Monday night, 25-14, 25-14, in both teams' ILH opener, which was pushed back 45 minutes because the Owls were dealing with bus issues before the match.

Regardless, the Raiders (1-0) were anxious to hit the floor for the first time since playing in the Ann Kang Invitational in the second week of August.

"I thought we came out good, I thought we came out confident," said Iolani senior and Stanford-commit Elena Oglivie, the reigning All-Hawaii Girls Volleyball Player of the Year.

Oglivie delivered nine kills in a dominant effort and showcased why she is one of 12 players representing the United States in the FIVB Girls' U18 World Championships in Cairo next month. She is expected to miss at least five ILH matches, but said that she has faith in her teammates' ability.

"It's kind of, for me, bittersweet because of course I want to be here. It's a once in a lifetime opportunity so I'm excited for that. I know my teammates have it. I have full, 100 percent confidence in them. I know they can do it. I wasn't playing (as much) in the second set and they still won so it's good and I trust them that they can do this."

Iolani's Becca Sakoda was solid in an expanded role after playing mostly in the back row in 2018.

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_19082748_IolaniMidpacGVB_0104.jpg - Greg Yamamoto | SL

Another primary back row player a season ago, Ashley Murashige, might also have an expanded role. Late in the opening set, Murashige took over the setting duties when Tufono was in the front row and had four assists.

"She's a senior. She can do a little bit of everything," Obrey said of Murashige. "She plays some (defensive specialist), she can set. Just another thing that we're trying out and to see what works for us."

Cameryn Ann Nagaji, a starting middle from last year, had four kills and two blocks. Mari Lawton and Ashley Sim added three kills each and Jovi Lefotu and Lily Wahinekapu had two kills apiece after coming off the bench in the second set.

For the Owls, Monday night was a tougher league match than what they were used to the past two years. Mid-Pacific, who won the ILH Division II title in 2018, is one of four new teams that is playing up in D1 this year as part of a one-year pilot program.

"I actually like playing against really good teams, and that's one of the coolest things is we get to play really good teams," Mid-Pacific coach Tommy Lake said of the new format. "Hopefully are team will appreciate what a privilege it is to play against some really good volleyball players."

Despite the loss, Lake likes the progress of his team so far.

"We got a lot of young players. We graduated a lot of seniors, seven seniors. I like our progress so far from the preseason to now. They're getting a little more comfortable."

Debi Chun had seven kills and Alyssa Muraoka did a little bit of everything with seven assists, four kills, three digs and an ace to lead the Owls in the loss.