The record will show that in the 2006 Hawai'i high school girls volleyball season, Kamehameha repeated as state champion and Warriors outside hitter Kanani Herring repeated as The Advertiser's State Player of the Year after a recent vote of 11 coaches, officials and members of the media.

But by no means was this season a mere carbon copy.

Kamehameha (20-1) overcame the loss of several key graduates plus a summertime injury that knocked out another starter for the year. The Warriors then rebounded from an early-season loss to Punahou and then came back from a thrilling 37-35 first-game loss in the state championship match to win in three.

Through it all, Herring, a 5-foot-10 outside hitter, took last year's breakthrough sophomore season and built upon it.

"Kanani improved markedly in the past year," said Kamehameha coach Chris Blake. "People forget how young she is, but she has really grown into a better volleyball player, physically and also as far as being focused. I think her stint with the junior national team changed how driven she is, her desire to win.

"Her role for us changed this year, and she showed leadership by example."

That was never more evident than in the exhilarating 35-37, 25-21, 25-21 state title victory over Punahou, before 4,991 screaming fans at Stan Sheriff Center.

Herring finished with 19 kills and 10 digs, including eight kills in the decisive third game. She also came through in the final week of the Interscholastic League of Honolulu regular season, with a match-high 23 kills in a 15-25, 25-18, 25-22 win over Punahou and 12 kills, three blocks and one ace to help the Warriors defeat 'Iolani, 25-23, 21-25, 25-22, for the championship.

"Kanani has that extra gear, where she can take it up another notch," Blake said. "That second time we played Punahou, we came out flat, but then she became unstoppable as a hitter and blocker. But she's also concerned about the whole team, and she always tries to involve the whole team because she knows it takes all six players on the court."

Herring certainly did not win the ILH and state titles by herself. She is joined on The Advertiser's All-State first team by fellow Warriors Bekah Torres and Kealohilani Kea.

Torres, a 5-10 junior middle blocker, was a solid force reading and stuffing opposing hitters, and showed versatility by also contributing as a hitter and server. She had 14 kills and 10 digs in the state championship match.

Kea, a 5-9 setter, also was a reliable returnee who was counted on to find holes in the other team's defense and help her hitters get the ball there.

Punahou also placed three players on the All-State first team: senior outside hitters Liz Ka'aihue and Larissa Nordyke, and junior libero Sydney Yogi.

Ka'aihue and Nordyke were All-State first-team selections in 2004, but an injury-plagued season last year prevented the Buffanblu from qualifying for the state tournament.

Ka'aihue (5-7) and Nordyke (5-9) both came back with spectacular performances this season, and Yogi (5-2) was the dependable factor in the back row.

Moanalua outside hitters Brianna Amian and Kaleinani Kabalis round out the first team.

Amian, a 5-9 senior, was named Player of the Year in the O'ahu Interscholastic Association's Eastern Division. Kabalis, a 5-6 1/2 junior, was a spectacular hitter and defensive whiz who thrilled crowds with her acrobatic plays and surprising power.

Herring, Kea and Kabalis are repeat All-State first-team selections.

Blake and Punahou's Jim Iams shared Coach of the Year honors.

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com.