For an especially young Kamehameha Schools girls volleyball team, the plan back in August was to march toward a fifth straight state championship in baby steps:

Coach Chris Blake patiently reminded the five seniors, two juniors, seven sophomores and one freshman to "try to improve and play better every day, until you play your best match in the last match of the season."

The plan worked and the goal was achieved Saturday night, when the Warriors rallied past Punahou, 22-25, 25-18, 26-28, 25-23, 15-6, to complete an improbable "Drive for Five."

They did it with one senior, two juniors and three sophomores in the starting lineup, but more importantly with all 15 players on the same page.

"It's always about the team," said Blake. "In our system, everybody is always playing for each other, and they accept that."

Leading by example was the lone senior starter, Taylor Akana.

The 5-foot-9 outside hitter was named the state tournament's Most Outstanding Player after notching 19 kills and 21 digs in the title match, hitting for a .421 percentage with only two attack errors in 41 attempts.

She had a kill to start a 4-0 rally that held off a Buffanblu charge in the second set, then finished the set off with a right-side kill that went off a block. Akana then had three kills in a match-turning 8-0 run in Set 4 that spun a 14-8 deficit into a 16-14 lead.

Kamehameha never trailed again.

"She's a senior captain, and she played her best match in the biggest match, on the biggest stage," Blake said of Akana.

Blake also cited another senior captain, outside hitter Cara Rosehill, for coming off the bench and contributing three kills, 11 digs and one block. She played in all five sets.

But Blake said "it was a total team effort" that led to the victory.

Sophomore libero Chelsey Keoho had 38 digs to lead a spirited defense that got tighter as the match wore on. Junior middle blocker Talia Jardin-Fermentez had 13 kills and five blocks.

Sophomore outside hitter Misty Ma'a added 12 kills, seven digs and six blocks. Junior middle blocker Nicole Sniffen contributed 10 kills and nine blocks. Sophomore outside hitter Amanda Wasko had nine kills and nine digs.

Sophomore setter Kelci Renshaw dished out 52 assists and added 12 digs. Senior Breyandi Andrade pitched in with nine assists off the bench, and freshman middle blocker Pikake Laumana contributed one kill and three blocks in a reserve role.

"It was such a great match," Blake said. "We have a culture of believing in each other, and that's the reason for our success."