Behind the splendid play of junior setter Daniel Rodrick, the Kapa'a Warriors rallied to defeat the Mid-Pacific Owls, 23-25, 25-20, 25-22, and win the inaugural boys' state Division II volleyball championship.

The Hawai'i High School Athletic Association/NewCityNissan.com championship was played at Punahou last night before an energetic crowd that included more than 100 Warrior supporters from Kaua'i.

Both teams traded blows and rallies throughout the final. In Game 3, the Warriors broke free from an 18-all tie by rattling four consecutive points and holding off the Owls the rest of the way.

"It's a great blessing for our team to come up here and represent not only the Island of Kaua'i, but our KIF (Kaua'i Interscholastic Federation) league," said coach Merrill Carvalho.

"These boys work really hard throughout the year, and it's special to bring the Division II championship home. Everybody will remember when they look back in the record books, the Kapa'a Warriors were the first Division II champion."

The Warriors used a balanced, unpredictable attack, through Rodrick, who often went to backsets and dump shots to baffle the Owls.

"The hardest thing was getting it over their blocks," said Rodrick, who had five kills.

"But once we started to get some hits, we carried that over and spread everything out."

His biggest play occurred with the Warriors holding a 23-21 lead in the third game.

Seeing a gap in the Owls' block, he faked a set, and then dumped the ball over with his right hand, putting match point in Kapa'a's hands.

Game 1 was close throughout until the Owls claimed a 17-13 lead. Leading by six with game point, the Owls nearly allowed the Warriors to steal the game. Kapa'a took five consecutive points before a hitting error ended it.

Kapa'a managed to hold a four-point lead for much of Game 2 to even up the match.

A pair of Rodrick aces to begin Game 3 kick-started the Warriors. But with neither team able to take control, something bizarre happened.

With the Owls leading 17-16, the game was delayed for about 10 minutes because of confusion over what MPI player would be serving next.

After the break, it was the Warriors who seized control.

Mid-Pacific coach Mason Kuo thought the delay caused his team's momentum to slip away.

"Anytime you got a big break, there's always going to be a lapse. And it's the team that's more mentally, physically, emotionally fresh that will sustain their (energy).

"Ultimately, Kapa'a was just the better team."

MID-PACIFIC 25 20 22

KAPA'A 23 25 25

Kill leaders—MPI: Reese Haine 11, Blake Hixson 6. Kapa'a: Kaina Kahaunaele 7, Lyndon Pascual 7. Digs—MPI: Bayly Buck 12, Scott Cummings 7. Kapa'a: Daniel Rodrick 12, Pascual 12. Blocks—MPI: Kenneth Rewick 2, Jaren Mauricio 2. Kapa'a: Pascual 3.

THIRD PLACE

'AIEA DEF. SEABURY HALL: Pili Taitin had a match-high 17 kills and Na Ali'i edged Seabury Hall 19-25, 25-21, 25-23. 'Aiea, the OIA Champion, upset top-seeded Hawai'i Baptist in the quarterfinal round Tuesday. Kellen Ferguson led Seabury Hall, the Maui Interscholastic League runner-up, with 10 kills. Kevin Brown and Tye Perdido added eight kills apiece.

FIFTH PLACE

HAWAI'I BAPTIST def. WAIPAHU: Landon Herder had 11 kills, and Sean Kum and Joshua Thompson each had 8, helping the Eagles of the ILH hold off the Marauders of the OIA, 25-23, 28-26.

SEVENTH PLACE

LAUPAHOEHOE deF. KA'U: Pedro Cacho Jr. pounded 19 kills to rally the Seasiders to a 15-25, 25-21, 25-17 win over the Trojans. Both teams are from the Big Island.