"I don't think he's (Shoji) deserving of co-Player of the Year; I definitely thought it would be all him," Inafuku said. "He's such a great leader and he lifts up the level of play of everyone around him."

Punahou coach Peter Balding was just as complimentary.

"He, without a doubt, in every facet of the game, was phenomenal," Balding said. "He didn't even go to the state tournament, but out of everyone I saw, he was the best."

It was Inafuku who helped lift the Warriors to their eighth straight state championship match, where they lost to Punahou, and he was named the tournament MVP.

"He was the heart and soul of Kamehameha," Shoji said. "He did everything he could do to take Kamehameha as far as they went."

Kamehameha coach Pono Ma'a compared Inafuku, a 5-10 sophomore, to Rainbow Wahine All-American setter Kanoe Kamana'o — both able to play well above their small statures.

Inafuku and Shoji were All-State second team selections last year — all other selections to the first and second teams were seniors.

Inafuku is joined on the first team by teammate Ronson Olaso, a 6-3 outside hitter.

Ma'a called Olaso, "our most dominant player for the second round and post-season."

"We tried to get good match-ups, but even when we didn't, he ended up having good matches," Ma'a said.

State champion Punahou placed three players on the first team: outside hitters Ka'ohu Berg-Hee and Spencer McLachlin, and defensive specialist Erik Shoji, Kawika's brother.

Ma'a said Berg-Hee was "steady for (Punahou) all year long. When they needed him, he carried the load for them."

Balding described McLachlin as "very unselfish" and "a class act."

"He has some situations where we needed him to make a play for us, offensively or defensively, and he came up with it," Balding said.

Shoji is believed to be the first freshman to be named to the All-State first team.

"His skills are extremely accomplished," Balding said. "His biggest asset is the mental game. He is in a place where not many seniors are.

"There's no coincidence that we were knocking on the door without him, and then he moves into the ninth grade, and we are ILH and state champions. And a lot of that has to do with Erik Shoji."

Kaua'i big man Va'afuti Tavana, a 6-8 outside hitter, rounds out the first team.

Despite his size, Tavana played all six rotations making him "an offensive threat, even in the back," Balding said. Ma'a called him "definite" Division I potential.

Balding was named the Coach of the Year for leading the Buffanblu to state and ILH championships for the first time since 2000.

The All-State Boys Volleyball Team was selected by The Advertiser after consultation with a panel of high school coaches.