The Pearl City Chargers girls volleyball team holds up the championship plaque after sweeping Kalani for the league's Division II title. CJ Caraang | SL

---

The Pearl City Chargers girls volleyball team holds up the championship plaque after sweeping Kalani for the league's Division II title. CJ Caraang | SL

---

SALT LAKE — It's been a long time coming.

The Pearl City girls volleyball team claimed its first OIA championship since 1997 with a straight set sweep over Kalani Wednesday night in the league's Division II title match at Moanalua's gymnasium. Set scores were 25-17, 25-21 and 25-21.

It was a redemption win for the Chargers (8-5), who were swept by Nanakuli for the OIA D2 championship two seasons ago.

"We all wanted this championship. All of us wanted it so it was time to get it," said senior setter Madison Garcia, who played in the title match in 2017.

Middle blockers Emma Harada-Suaava and Jaynah Martin put down 14 and 11 kills respectively and each had five blocks to power the Chargers to their seventh overall OIA crown.

"They're amazing middles," said Garcia, who dished out 38 assists. "I'm so glad to have them this year. Our middles did really good today. They're very athletic."

First-year Pearl City coach Dayne Teves noted that everything starts with staying in system.

"Our middles weren't going to be working if we didn't have passing," he said. "It really was a great team effort. If our passing wasn't working, our setter can't set the middle. It was more of a team effort tonight. They was just clicking on all cylinders. Everything; passing, setting and serving."

Teves, who previously coached the boys team over a decade ago, added that the championship run started in the offseason.

"We just worked hard everyday. When we first started in the summer, during summer workouts, everybody just worked hard. I give it up to all of them. They worked hard to where they are right now. It started from day one."

Garcia said Teves also helped the Chargers get to another level on the court.

"I think he helped us more in skilled-wise. He really coached us and taught us how to be mentally strong in games."

Noelani Feliciano added seven kills with seven digs and three blocks, Kenya Glenn had six kills and Nalani Tokuhama had two kills and two blocks off the bench in the third set to round out the Chargers attack.

Both teams traded points to start the match, but a 9-0 run in the opening set helped Pearl City take a commanding 17-8 lead that the Chargers were able to ride out the rest of the contest.

Maya Hamaoka led the Falcons (7-6) in the loss with 13 kills and two aces.