Posted on: Saturday, October 5, 2002

Kamana'o, Woolford spur Iolani over Punahou

By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer

In a virtual replay of last year's state championship match, the Iolani School girls volleyball team rallied past Punahou last night 13-15, 15-13, 15-13.

A full house of about 1,000 at Iolani was entertained by several thrilling comebacks, a staggering 37 kills by Punahou sophomore Aneli Cubi-Otineru, and a bit of controversy at the end.

Iolani (6-1) appeared to be in control of the first game and led 12-8 before Punahou (4-3) stormed back to win it. Punahou then jumped out to leads of 9-2 and 10-3 in the second game. In last year's state final, the Buffanblu also won the first game and had a lead in the second game.

Again last night, however, the Raiders gathered themselves and fought back. Iolani scored 10 straight points to take a 13-10 lead, before Punahou closed it to 13-12 on a Raiders' net violation and a block by Cubi-Otineru and Kaui Robello.

Iolani went up 14-12 on a Buffanblu net violation, but a Raiders' error made it 14-13. Iolani finally won it on an ace by Rae Woolford.

When Punahou had its 10-3 lead, Raiders captain Kanoe Kamana'o walked over to Iolani assistant coach Chris Blake and shared a joke and laugh. Throughout the comeback, other Raiders would jab each other with inside jokes as well.

"We do that to calm everyone down," said Kamana'o, the reigning Advertiser State Player of the Year, who has committed to play for the University of Hawai'i next fall. "We knew the game was not over yet — in everyone's eyes, we were still in it."

Iolani coach Ann Kang said laughter is one of the Raiders' keys to success.

"We like to spread smiles," Kang said. "The more we're smiling, the more relaxed we are."

Iolani could not relax yet, however, since the Buffanblu jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the third game. The Raiders promptly tied it at 3-3, then both teams traded points in thrilling fashion.

With Iolani clinging to a 12-11 lead and Punahou serving, the Buffanblu apparently landed a kill just inside the Raiders' three-meter line. But the ball was still in play, and while the Punahou players celebrated what they thought was a point, Iolani set Kamana'o and her soft shot landed harmlessly in front of the stunned Buffanblu.

So instead of being tied 12-12 and serving, Punahou still trailed 12-11 with Iolani serving.

The Raiders took advantage and went up 14-11 after kills by Kamana'o and Woolford, but an Iolani error and a kill by Robello helped the Buffanblu close it to 14-13. Punahou then had two serving errors, letting Iolani end it on a block by Kamana'o and Woolford.

"The whistle did not blow, but I think everybody in the gym saw the ball land except the referees," Buffanblu coach John McDermott said of the critical play. "But we gotta deal with the hand we were dealt, and we hurt ourselves with errors. Still, I'm really proud of how we played. We're finally playing the way we should."

Cubi-Otineru had a match-high 20 digs. Kamana'o and Woolford each had 18 kills to lead Iolani.