Mililani's Makani Duhaylonsod has a difficult name to spell and pronounce.

She also throws pitches that are difficult to hit.

Duhaylonsod, a senior right-hander, is one of the state's top returning players after compiling a 14-3 record and 1.26 ERA in 106 innings with 70 strikeouts and 15 walks last season.

"She's a very powerful pitcher for us," said third-year Mililani head coach Rose Antonio. "Her poise, and now that she's a senior her maturity level is right there."

Mililani will host Waipahu when the O'ahu Interscholastic Association opens its season Tuesday. The Interscholastic League of Honolulu season starts today.

Duhaylonsod has started the state championship game the past three seasons. The Trojans won the title her freshman year, and finished runners-up the past two seasons.

"Hopefully, I'll come out with a win in the states for my senior year. Really go out with a bang," she said.

Duhaylonsod, who is 5 feet 11, throws a fastball between 59 to 63 mph, and also changes speeds effectively.

"She has a great changeup and that's one of her strengths," Antonio said. "She comes with the fastball and throws the batters off-balance with her changeup. And she can also throw that for a strike. She's been successful with that all three years."

Duhaylonsod, who also plays first base and third base, batted .410 with five home runs and 11 RBIs last season.

"My hitting is pretty good," she said. "I had a couple of line-drive shots and a couple of bombers before."

As for college, Duhaylonsod said: "I'll probably think about staying down here. I'll try and see if I can go to UH. If not, then I'll go to the Mainland for school."

She added Hawai'i-Hilo, an NCAA Division II program, also is an option.

Duhaylonsod is one of four Mililani players who made The Advertiser's All-State first team last season.

The others are sophomore shortstop Courtney Senas, sophomore second baseman Kristi Oshiro, and junior right fielder Glenelle Nitta.

Senas was named O'ahu Interscholastic Association Western Division Player of the Year last season after batting .540 with seven doubles, three triples, two home runs, 13 RBIs and 19 runs scored.

"I don't go for home runs," Senas said. "I go for line drives and base hits. Most people think I go for home runs and stuff."

Oshiro hit .440 with 10 doubles, eight walks, 16 runs scored and a .556 on-base percentage last season, while Nitta batted .346.

All three also contribute stellar defense.

"Our strength is our defense," Antonio said. "We do have our middles, Courtney Senas and Kristi Oshiro, and Glenelle Nitta in the outfield. All around we're very balanced on defense."

Antonio said, based on preseason results, she expects Kamehameha and St. Francis of the ILH, and Campbell, Kapolei and Mililani of the OIA to be among the state's top teams.

Duhaylonsod likes the Trojans' chances to contend for another state championship this season.

"I think we'll do really good because we have a really good defense and our hitting is pretty good, too," she said. "Everybody's on it."

Reach Kyle Sakamoto at ksakamoto@honoluluadvertiser.com.