Adjusting to a new lineup, Kaiser bounced back from a tough loss to hand Waipahu its first volleyball loss.

In a match featuring two of the top teams from the West and East, host Kaiser swept Waipahu, 25-18, 25-13, in O'ahu Interscholastic Association White Division girls volleyball last night.

Nikki Taylor had seven kills and Shelby Pa five for the Cougars (5-1), who rebounded from a loss to Kailua (5-1) on Tuesday night.

Alyssa Torres had four kills to lead the Marauders (4-1).

"Even though they're out, we're still holding our heads up high and every girl coming in is doing their job, doing what they have to do," Pa said. "It's making our adjustment really well."

Kaiser erased a three-point deficit early in Set 1 to tie it 8-8, then took the lead on a Waipahu hitting error.

The Cougars extended the lead to 17-12, but kills by Torres and June Fanene, and a Kaiser error made it 17-15.

Waipahu closed to 18-17 after Dara Aiwohi-Dutro's service ace. Taylor then scored four points during Kaiser's 7-1 run to close out Set 1. Taylor, a 6-foot-2 freshman hitter, had two kills to give Kaiser a 21-18 lead. Haley Durham followed with a solo block in the middle and Taylor's two service aces ended the set.

"Our team is very close and I think just the drive to want to win was definitely our fire, our spike to proceed in the set," Taylor said.

Another Durham solo block and back-to-back aces by Jolie Au put the Cougars ahead 5-1 in Set 2.

Kaiser gradually pulled away and Taylor had three kills and a block to make it 11-5. After Shanice Julio's kill cut the deficit to 13-6, a 7-1 run pushed the Cougars ahead. Pa had three kills during the run.

"Our lineup helped us," Taylor said. "We really tried to make sure we're playing good and our team is playing together and playing as a team."

Catriana Masaniai had two blocks and a kill late in the match for Waipahu.

"We knew what we had to do, we played defense, we passed well but we just weren't finishing like we usually do," said senior Bryana Manzano, Waipahu's 4-10 starting defensive specialist. "We knew what to expect but we just couldn't execute."

Reach Stanley Lee at sktlee@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2451.

STANDINGS

THROUGH YESTERDAY

O'AHU INTERSCHOLASTIC ASSOCIATION

Red East—Moanalua 7-0, Kahuku 4-1, Farrington 4-3, Kalaheo 2-3, Roosevelt 2-4, McKinley 1-4, Kalani 0-5.

Red West—'Aiea 6-0, Mililani 5-0, Pearl City 5-1, Wai'anae 3-2, Radford 2-5, Leilehua 0-6, Campbell 0-7.

White East—Kaiser 5-1, Kailua 5-1, Castle 4-2, Kaimuki 1-4, 'Anuenue 0-5.

White West—Waipahu 4-1, Kapolei 3-2, Nanakuli 1-4, Waialua 0-5.

INTERSCHOLASTIC LEAGUE OF HONOLULU

Division I—Kamehameha 6-0, Punahou 5-0, Maryknoll 5-1, 'Iolani 4-1, Sacred Hearts 4-1, Mid-Pacific 3-2.

Division II—Hawai'i Baptist 5-1, Word of Life 4-1, La Pietra 3-3, St. Andrew's 3-3, Christian Academy 2-3, Hanalani 2-4, Le Jardin 1-5, Island Pacific 1-5, St. Francis 1-5, University High 0-4, Hawaiian Mission 0-5, Lanakila Baptist 0-5.