Punahou's Kelly Matthews makes a kill attempt past Moanalua Lia Gaogao and Analise Austin. Sean Nakamura | SL

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Punahou outside hitter Carly Kan extends to make a kill attempt against Moanalua. Sean Nakamura | SL

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Punahou setter Tayler Higgins sets the ball for Marissa Behrens. Sean Nakamura | SL

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Punahou outside hitter Carly Kan puts down a kill against Moanalua. Peter Caldwell | SL

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Unfortunately there were no treats for Moanalua on this Halloween night, at least on the volleyball court.

Top-seeded Punahou rolled Moanalua in a three-game sweep, 25-13, 25-14, 25-15, to advance to the semifinals of the New City Nissan/HHSAA Division I Girls Volleyball Championships.

"We did what we needed to in terms of trying to get the first win under (our) belt," said Punahou head coach Peter Balding, "... we kind of kept them on their (Moanalua) heels the rest of the night, it was a good start."

Punahou got off to a fast start in game, forcing Moanalua to call a timeout early in the game at 7-1 after Marissa Behren's kill. Carly Kan's hitting, combined with a series of Moanalua errors increased the gap between Punahou, eventually Moanalua called out a second timeout at 14-5.

Coming out of the time out, Moanalua would be plagued with another series of errors further increasing the gap, and Kelly Matthews ended game one with a kill at 25-13.

Moanalua picked things up at the beginning of game two, taking the lead on Lia Gaogao’s kill at 3-2 and pushed the lead over the Buffanblu to 6-3. But Punahou closed the gap on kills by Kan and Matthews along with a Marissa Behren’s block, followed by two consecutive service aces by Tayler Higgins to vault the Buffablu in to the lead at 8-6, forcing Moanalua to call another timeout.

Punahou continued to pull away from Moanalua, and cruised to a 25-14 win in set number two.

A strong and fast start by Punahou in set three again forced Moanalua to call timeout at 7-3 after Remo Gaogao's kill. Punahou would then ignite another wave of kills led by Kan and Behrens, aided by well-placed sets by Higgins.

Moanalua called their last timeout of the set after Kan spiked in another kill at 15-7. Following a Taylor Dayton’s kill at 22-12, Buffanblu reserves took the court to finish up the game. Mariah Rigg pounded down the final kill for Punahou at match point, 25-15.

"We were really excited to play," said Punahou Tayler Higgins, "we were just trying to execute as best as we can on the little things, and from there, we built."

Punahou will be face Oahu Interscholastic Association Red runner-up Mililani tomorrow at McKinley High School's Student Council Gymnasium at 5 p.m.

Kan had a game-high 16 kills followed by Matthews, who put down seven spikes for Punahou. Higgins added three service aces.