Posted on: Friday, November 5, 2004
ILH BOYS
Undefeated Buffanblu win 1st title since 1999
• ILH GIRLS: Punahou repeats as ILH champion
• OIA GIRLS: Kahuku girls conquer OIA
• OIA BOYS: Kalaheo wins OIA boys title
By Brandon Masuoka
Advertiser Staff Writer
Punahou overcame a brilliant performance by Kamehameha's Ronson Olaso to win its first Interscholastic League of Honolulu boys volleyball title since 1999 last night at Kekuhaupi'o Fieldhouse.
The Buffanblu swept the Warriors, 25-14, 25-22, 27-25, despite a match-high 23 kills by Olaso.
With the victory, Punahou (13-0) earned a first-round bye in the state tournament, Nov. 10 to 13 at the Kamehameha's Big Island campus.
Kamehameha (10-3) will play Iolani tomorrow at 2 p.m. at Iolani for the ILH's second state berth. The match will be a best-of-three format.
"I think this will give any team a little momentum," Punahou coach Peter Balding said. "But next week (at states), 13-0 doesn't mean anything. Everyone starts 0-0. It does give us a little bit of confidence, I guess."
After winning Game 1, Punahou needed to rally in the final two games.
"It took everyone on our team to win it," Punahou middle blocker Kealii Frank said. "Everyone on the bench, everyone of the starters. It was all teamwork."
In Game 2, Punahou rallied from deficits of 8-4, 10-6 and 20-17 before tying the score at 20 on a kill by Spencer McLachlin.
The Buffanblu took a 21-20 lead on double block by TJ Zabriskie and Frank, and after a kill by Kamehameha's Ikaika Shelton, Punahou closed the match with a 4-2 run.
In the third game, Punahou overcame a 23-22 deficit and had two match pints before ending it on double block by Zabriskie and Frank.
Middles McLachlin, Matthew Brown and Frank kept Punahou in the match with their hitting and defense, while setter Riley McKibbin guided the offense.
"I think it came down to serving and passing," Balding said. "We kind of jumped on them with our serve early. I think that took them out of their offense a little. Consequently, I thought we passed pretty good."
Punahou had difficulty stopping Olaso, but did a good job on containing his teammates. Ernie Vidinha added 10 kills.
"I love playing against Ronson because he plays right side and I play left side," McLachlin said. "He's a great hitter."
Kamehameha coach Pono Maa said Punahou did a great job of stopping the Warriors' rallies.
"We didn't feel like we got a chance to get into a groove," Maa said. "Every time we did, they put pressure on us and we weren't able to respond.
"Now it's a winner-take-all situation on Saturday (against Iolani). We're going to go back to work."
Reach Brandon Masuoka at bmasuoka@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2458.
