It had been so long since Kealakehe had a taste of success at the HHSAA tournament, no one close to the program could remember quite the last time the Waveriders advanced in the bracket.
But Kealakehe is not concerned with the record books. They’re too busy making more history.
Fresh off earning its first BIIF championship in 14 years, Kealakehe (14-2) wasted little time showing why they belong in the conversation for the state title with a four-set victory over Waipahu (11-5) in a Division I quarterfinal match on Thursday.
Anthony “Head” Trevino paced Kealakehe with 24 kills and 11 digs as the ‘Riders rolled to victory.
”This was a long time coming and it is very sweet,” Kealakehe head coach Kahinu Lee said. “It is nice to be here representing our island.”
Kealakehe advances to the semifinals where they will play No. 1 seeded Punahou today at 7 p.m. The top-seeded Buffanblu defeated Mililani in the quarters.
The ILH school has won six straight titles an eight of the last nine, defeating Kamehameha-Hawaii in the state title game last season.
On the other side of the bracket, Kamehameha — the BIIF runner-up — fell to No. 3 seed Moanalua in straight sets, 25-15, 25-21, 25-9. Isaiah Nakoa-Oness led the Warriors with 11 kills.
Kealakehe took the first set from the Marauders. 25-17, but Waipahu battled back to tie the match with a 20-25 victory in the second set. The Waveriders bounced back, taking the final two sets with relative ease, 25-16 and 25-14.
“We fell apart in the second set but rallied together,” said Kealakehe head coach Kahinu Lee. “Waipahu was a tough team and had two strong outside hitters. We controlled the ball on our side and took care of business.”
Trevino — the team’s senior captain — has been the steadying force for the Waveriders as they have surged down the stretch and into postseason play.
“He is the captain of the team and the star person,” Lee said. “He is a vocal guy and keeps everyone calm and positive.”
Sophomore Isaiah Hooper added 18 kills and six digs, stepping up his game any time Trevino was rotated to the back line.
Setter Ikaika Pali finished with 37 assists.
Waipahu (11-5) was led by Bradley Tacata (22 kills) and Ken Sachio Bocot (15 kills, 9 digs).
Division II
St. Francis 3, Konawaena 0
The Saints (14-2) made quick work of Konawaena in a quarterfinal match at Kalani High School on Thursday. The Saints defeated the Wildcats 25-17, 25-17, 25-21.
Mofuike Hafoka led St. Francis (14-2) with 13 kills. Walter Berthold had 16 digs and Jesus Garcia picked up 36 assists.
Andre “Naku” Frias led Konawaena (7-9) with seven assists. Osaiasi Muti added six kills. Sergio Cancino picked up seven digs and Darren Poopaa had 18 assists.
Pearl City 3, HPA 0
The Chargers (7-6) defeated Ka Makani (7-9) in straight sets 25-23, 25-23, 25-19 to advance to the semifinals of the HHSAA D-II state tournament.
The Chargers were led by Jere Perfanos-Taamu and Zion Tupuola-Fetui, who recorded 12 and 11 kills respectively. Eric Schitizkus had 16 digs and Cameron Reimer picked up 26 assists.
For Ka Makani, Kala Thurston led the way with seven kills, Ryoma Sakakibara picked up 14 digs, and Iosua Tufaga recorded 11 assists. Senior Zach Chaikin added four kills, nine assists and five digs.