The Buffanblu, however, failed to qualify for the state tournament that season.

Cubi-Otineru, a 5-9ý outside hitter, did not put up any of those kind of numbers this year, but the trade-off was more than worth it. Punahou won the state championship, and she was chosen as The Advertiser's State Player of the Year in a vote of coaches and media.

"Our team was better all-around this year, so she had a lot more ways to contribute," Punahou coach Scott Rigg said. "We could spread the kills around to more people, but she still was our best hitter. On defense, she was a vacuum cleaner digging everything, and she was just phenomenal with her passing. And we were young, so she had to be one of our leaders."

Cubi-Otineru often was at her best in the biggest matches, with 19 kills, 10 digs and three aces in the Buffanblu's 25-23, 25-23, 26-24 victory over Kamehameha for the Interscholastic League of Honolulu championship.

She then had 12 kills in a 25-18, 29-27 state quarterfinal win over Kahuku, a match-high 14 kills in a 25-16, 25-23 semifinal victory over Moanalua, and 18 kills and 14 digs in a 25-18, 19-25, 25-23 title win over Kamehameha.

Cubi-Otineru makes up for a lack of great height with a 30-inch vertical leap plus quickness and volleyball smarts. Her skills are advanced enough to where the University of Hawai'i has made a scholarship offer for 2005, which she has accepted (See story on Page D1.).

Cubi-Otineru has made The Advertiser's All-State first team in each of the past three seasons. She is joined on this year's first team by fellow Buffanblu junior Pohai Nu'uhiwa, Kahuku senior Mona Ale, Moanalua junior Danie Hout, Kalani junior Tamari Miyashiro, Kamehameha senior Mounia Nihipali and Seabury Hall senior Lecca Roberts.

Nu'uhiwa is the team's tiniest player at 5-feet even, but she had a huge impact as Punahou's setter. Rigg said Nu'uhiwa's presence was a key to the team's chemistry.

Ale, a 5-11 middle blocker, was a force for the defending state champion Red Raiders. Hout, a 5-8 outside hitter, blossomed into a clutch player in helping the Menehunes reach the O'ahu Interscholastic Association championship match and state semifinals.

Miyashiro, a 5-7 outside hitter, displayed amazing all-around ability in leading the Falcons to their first OIA title since 1972.

RIGG

Nihipali, a 5-11 outside hitter with superb defensive skills, is the only other repeat first-team selection aside from Cubi-Otineru.

"She really played well in the finals," Rigg said of Nihipali. "I had forgotten how dominant she was."

Roberts, a 6-4 middle blocker, was perhaps the state's most intimidating presence at the net. She has signed a letter of intent to play for Pepperdine next fall.