FARRINGTON - Moanalua swept through the Baldwin with relative ease in a quarterfinal match of the New City Nissan Division I Boys Volleyball State Championships, keeping an undefeated season, along with their hopes at a state title alive.

"The boys worked hard, great job overall for the boys," said Moanalua coach Alan Cabanting. "Still a lot of improvements that we can do," he continued.

Baldwin led early on in the first set, but Moanalua would eventually take control, winning 25-18, led by senior Joshua Buted (2 kills in game 1) and senior Ahren DePonte (3 kills in game 1).

"We started off slow, we got to do a better job at that," said Cabanting. "Our slow start is kind of always like our Achilles tendon," he continued.

The momentum carried to the second game where Moanalua won going away, 25-13. At one point Moanalua had a 13 point lead in a game that Baldwin seemed a bit more sluggish than usual.

"I guess some of us never showed up today," said Baldwin coach Kalei Houpo. "We were not connecting together."

Moanalua continued to impress in the third game, outscoring the Bears 25-12 to complete a straight set sweep. Buted finished with nine kills and Deponte eight kills.

"I just got to give all the credit to all the centers," said Moanalua senior Joshua Buted. Anyone can hit, but the credit goes all to my teammates."

Baldwin will play tomorrow night against Kamehameha-Kapalama in the consolation bracket while Moanalua advances to the semifinals to take on Kamehameha-Hawaii.

"Just to be here is an enjoyment for the kids," said Houpo. "Maybe (we can) get (some) young kids in so they can get a feel about states."

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