Unfazed by any challenges it faced, the Moanalua boys volleyball team captured its first O'ahu Interscholastic Association White Division volleyball title last night.

Moanalua defeated Waipahu, 29-31, 25-16, 25-16, 26-24, at McKinley High School gym. Na Menehune completed the tournament undefeated.

"We ran out of subs the last few points (of the match), and that's why Kolby (Kanetake) was in (the front row)," Moanalua coach Doug Hee said. "It just shows ... you didn't see anyone hang their heads and they still wanted to get out there and they acted like he was 6 feet (Kanetake is 5 feet 7). The mentality of the players is just to play and press on. I can't describe how proud I am of these guys."

Moanalua (11-3) and Waipahu (9-5) already qualified for next week's state tournament. Third-place Kapolei and fourth-place Kaimuki also earned state tournament berths out of the OIA.

"It feels pretty good; we've been waiting so long for this," said Moanalua junior outside hitter Shane Aquino, who tallied 11 kills.

The first set went into extra points, with Na Menehune climbing back from a 24-20 deficit to tie it at 24 on the second of two straight service aces by Kanetake. The teams went back and forth until back-to-back kills by sophomore outside hitter Duketoa Tili and senior Regan Prestidge gave the Marauders the two-point victory at 31-29.

"It showed we can stay in the game and can make a run," Aquino said. "It was actually really good for us and our confidence level."

Na Menehune responded in the second set, building a double-digit lead of 23-13 late in the set behind "the realization that we needed to work a little harder," Hee said.

"I wish I could can that and sell it," Hee said.

The fourth set was tied at 23-all, when Kanetake sent a long roll shot to the back of the court to give Moanalua a 24-23 lead. A block by Waipahu's Arlen Laufasa tied it at 24 but Moanalua's Frankie Kwong gave Na Menehune the lead for good and an error by Waipahu ended the match.

"Three nights in a row was too hard," Waipahu coach Julna Pasicaran said. "We needed a break."