Kamehameha will be back to defend its girls volleyball state championship next month, thanks to a 25-23, 21-25, 25-22 victory over visiting 'Iolani yesterday for the Interscholastic League of Honolulu's first-round title.

The win sealed one of the ILH's two coveted state tournament berths for the Warriors, who improved to 15-1. 'Iolani fell to 13-2 and now must visit Punahou (13-2) at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in the ILH postseason tournament semifinals.

Kamehameha will host Hawai'i Baptist in the other semifinal, also set for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. If the Warriors win the tournament, they will be crowned ILH champion.

Otherwise, they will play the tournament winner for the overall title.

"This is a real big relief," said Kamehameha junior Bekah Torres, who had 10 kills yesterday, including two game-winners. "We're happy to get the state berth, but we still have the ILH to fight for, and we'll keep pushing for that."

The Warriors dug themselves a hole in all three games, but were able to climb all the way out twice.

The Raiders jumped to an 11-4 lead in the first game and were ahead 23-19 before Kamehameha scored the final six points. The Warriors took a 24-23 lead after 'Iolani committed a hitting error, hit the antennae and then had a net violation on successive points.

"If we could just take care of our side of the net, we win that game," Raiders coach Jenic Tumaneng said.

'Iolani raced out to a 7-1 lead in game two, but suffered a tough break shortly afterward when middle blocker Chelsea Hardin sprained her ankle. She did not return, but the Raiders hung on to even the match.

"'Iolani is a really deep team, and the players who came in took care of business," Kamehameha coach Chris Blake said.

The Raiders again started fast in the third game, taking leads of 6-1 and 10-4. But the Warriors eventually tied it at 13 and took the lead for good after Kanani Herring's kill made it 16-15. Two straight kills by Torres pushed the lead to 21-18, and 'Iolani never got closer than two again.

Herring finished with 12 kills, three blocks and an ace. Leinani Keanini had a match-high 13 kills and Lauren Minkel added 12 kills for the Raiders.

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com.