The Kalaheo girls volleyball team started this season with a first-year coach and the departure of 12 seniors.

It's not exactly the recipe for a championship season.

But Kalaheo surprised, and dominated Kaimuki in winning its first O'ahu Interscholastic Association Division II title, 25-10, 25-14, last night before an estimated crowd of 300 at Farrington gym.

"This is our first year, we didn't expect to do this well," said Kalaheo coach Michele Hoku Liu, who coached the Kailua boys varsity team one season before taking the reins of the Mustang program in mid-July. "We knew we had the potential. It was a total team effort."

After the final point, the winning Mustang players embraced each other, and sang their signature song: "Ain't no party like a Mustang party!"

"I'm really happy," said senior outside hitter Casey Jenkins, who had an ace and four of her five kills in the first game. "We finally get to put that banner on our (gymnasium) wall."

Hoku Liu told her team before the match to limit its mistakes, and not give Kaimuki free points.

The Mustangs (11-4) did just that, playing near flawless volleyball against the Bulldogs (11-4).

"We had to take care of the basics," Hoku Liu said. "That's what we focused on the last weeks of practice, eliminating our own errors."

Kalaheo, the East No. 2 seed, took early control of Game 1 behind its serving.

Senior outside hitter Briana Elliot gave Kalaheo a 10-3 lead, serving seven consecutive points, and Jenkins followed with six straight for a 17-5 lead.

The Mustangs had five aces in the match, two each by Elliot and Makalani Lorenzo.

"We've been practicing (serving) a lot," said senior outside hitter Sabrina Blanco, who finished with six kills. "That's what you need in volleyball."

Kalaheo continued its smooth play in the second game, and took leads of 16-7 and 18-9 before closing it out.

Much of the credit went to junior setter Daneen Williams, who fed the Mustang hitters.

"She was setting really good," Jenkins said. "It was really consistent, and good to hit."

The Bulldogs, the East No. 1 seed, never quite got on track against the Mustangs.

"I felt my team was confident coming in, but they weren't here at all tonight," Kaimuki coach Shaunna Smith said. "I'm pretty upset. They're a really good group of talented kids, but they didn't show it tonight."

Kiana Wasson added six kills for Kalaheo.

Alyssia Fiamate and Genesis Texeira-Fruean led Kaimuki with four kills apiece.

OIA girls VOLLEYBALL

Reach Brandon Masuoka at bmasuoka@honoluluadvertiser.com.