The Buffanblu improved to 8-1 atop of the ILH D1 standings to keep state hopes alive. Spencer Honda | SL

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It almost was a deja vu moment for top-ranked Punahou Friday night.

Almost.

The Buffanblu got back in the win column with a five-set win over No. 3 Iolani in a key ILH Division I contest at Hemmeter Fieldhouse. Set scores were 26-24, 22-25, 25-20, 17-25, 15-12.

With the victory, Punahou (8-1) keeps pace with No. 2 Kamehameha for the top spot in both teams' respective quadrant in the league's eight-team division. Punahou hosts Mid-Pacific to end the regular season next Tuesday while the Warriors (7-1) have two more matches with the Owls and the Raiders left on the slate.

It was the Buffanblu's second five-set match in a row. They were coming off their first loss in league play after losing to Kamehameha three days ago, 22-25, 25-21, 24-26, 25-20, 15-12.

"I think this win was really important and big for us because you know after the Kamehameha loss on Tuesday everyone was kind of down and stuff, but having all the fans out here to support us helps and we had a really tough practice yesterday and working out the kinks," said Punahou senior Madisyn Beirne. "I really think that helped us push out another win today."

Like Tuesday, Punahou won the opening set and saw the opposing team tie the match after the second and fourth stanzas.

The fifth and final set was where the script on Friday.

After Iolani (6-3) rattled off three straight points to tie the set at 12, the Buffanblu scored the final three points thanks to a pair of blocks. Grace Fiaseu and Beirne combined for a stop to make it a 13-12 game while Isabelle Iosua and Aleah Liilii worked together to earn match point.

"It was mental," Iosua said on what was key on the final play. "We really worked on our mental game in practice and off the court. We just knew that we had to put what we worked into the game and that's what got us the block."

Kaia Dunford was the leading attacker for Punahou, who totaled 11 blocks. Dunford had 13 kills and nine digs while Beirne followed with 10 kills and four block assists.

"I think we're a pretty good blocking team," said Beirne. "We've got height on our pins and our middles so I think that really helped neutralize things and made it easier for our back row players."

Iosua added eight kills with five block assists and Liilii and Halo-Elizabeth Yoshiki each had six kills to round out the top hitters for the Buffanblu, who switched setters from Chloe Kaahanui (15 assists) to Jaclyn Matias (23 assists) after the second period.

Beirne added that it was "really useful" to get Matias, who did not play in the earlier season meeting against Iolani, some action on Friday.

"No one really has seen her play yet so it was kind of a new addition to our team," said Beirne. "I think that helped us keep a little mystery."

Reigning All-Hawaii Player of the Year Elena Oglivie, who did not play in the Raiders' first meeting against the Buffanblu, led all players with 28 kills.

Senna Roberts-Navarro added 12 kills, Mokihana Tufono had 44 assists and Megan Nishimura had a match-high 13 digs to round out the top players for Iolani.