Kahuku girls, Pearl City boys open defenses of volleyball titles

By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer

Kahuku's girls and Pearl City's boys begin defenses of the O'ahu Interscholastic Association volleyball championships Thursday with the opening round of their respective league tournaments.

In the girls tournament, West champion Pearl City and runner-up 'Aiea, as well as East champion Kalani and runner-up Moanalua have first-round byes and don't play until Saturday.

Meanwhile, defending OIA and state champion Kahuku, like last year, will have to qualify for the quarterfinals. The Red Raiders, who were third in the East, play Leilehua at 7 p.m. Thursday at McKinley, the last of four opening-round matches.

In other first-round matches at McKinley, Roosevelt plays Waipahu at 4, Farrington takes on Nanakuli at 5 and Kapolei meets Castle at 6.

In the boys tournament at Farrington, Kaimuki plays Kapolei at 4 p.m., Castle meets defending OIA champion Pearl City at 5, Leilehua plays McKinley at 6 and 'Aiea takes on Moanalua at 7.

Division champions Mililani (West) and Kahuku (East) and runners-up Campbell and Kalaheo have first-round byes and play in Saturday's quarterfinals.

The winners of Saturday's matches advance to the semifinals on Nov. 1 and secure state tournament berths.

AIR RIFLERY

Taking aim: The OIA air riflery team and individual championships will be held 9 a.m. Friday at Pearl City's range.

In boys semifinals, East champion Kalani, West runner-up Kapolei, West champion Leilehua and East runner-up Roosevelt will shoot off in one meet

In girls semifinals, West champion Kapolei, East runner-up Kalani, East champion McKinley and West runner-up Pearl City will also shoot off in one meet.

The best scoring team of the four from girls and the best from the four boys will be the team champion.

Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8042.

• Correction: The O‘ahu Interscholastic Association air riflery team championships is not a dual format. All four teams that qualified for the team championships in boys and girls competition will shoot-off in one meet.