HPA, KSH face off in water polo state consolation match

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Cindy Ellen Russel/ Honolulu Star-Advertiser Punahou’s Maria Weldon looks to pass the ball as Kamehameha Hawaii’s Oliliu Wise defends during the first half of the quarterfinal State Championship match on Thursday, May 11, 2023
CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL/ Honolulu Star-Advertiser Kamehameha Schools Hawaii’s Oliliu Wise pauses before a goal attempt as Punahou’s Ava Aguilera defends during the first half of the quarterfinal State Championship match on Thursday, May 11, 2023
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HONOLULU — Kamehameha Schools – Hawaii and Hawaii Prep’s girls water polo teams traveled to Oahu for the HHSAA State Championship.

Both teams fell out of the winning bracket, but won consolation matches and met each other in the fifth-place match for a repeat matchup of the BIIF Championship.

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Quarterfinals: KSK 14 – HPA 5

Top seed Kamehameha Schools – Kapalama dominated Ka Makani.

HPA’s goals were evenly distributed between Martina Guerra Bovea, Ali Wawner, Lia Craven and Maile Imonen.

Laikuakamahina Wong led KSK with three goals, followed by Kohia Rego, Leinaala Wong, Jordyn Nishimura, Tea Brandon and Ava Gurney — who each scored two goals.

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Quarterfinals: Punahou 13 – KSH 1

Punahou notched its second straight double-digit win and earned a bid in the semifinals, overcoming No. 3 seeded KSH.

The Warriors’ only goal was scored by Waiahuli Akau.

Allison Kauahi and Synnove Robinson each scored three goals for Punahou — while Ava Aguilera and Reese Stallsmith each scored two goals.

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Consolation: KSH 8 – Mililani 4

The Warriors advanced to the fifth-place match by defeating the Trojans.

Oliliu Wise had a big game, leading KSH with four goals. Akau was not far behind her teammate, scoring three goals. Kaiulani Rocha also scored a goal.

All of Mililani’s goals were scored by Leila Maynard.

• • •

Consolation: HPA 18 – Baldwin 6

Ka Makani recorded a huge win to earn another shot at beating the Warriors.

HPA came out hot, shutting Baldwin out 5-0 in the first quarter and dominating the second quarter 10-1.

Wawner led Ka Makani with a whopping seven goals, trailed by Imonen with six. Craven contributed three goals and Guerra Bovea scored two.

Mikela DeAguiar led Baldwin with three goals.

• • •

Fifth-place match: HPA 9 – KSH 6

HPA defeated KSH to win fifth place, redeeming itself after falling to the Warriors in overtime during the BIIF Championship two weeks prior.

Ka Makani kept up its trend of big starts, shutting KSH out 4-0 in the first quarter.

Imonen scored three goals to lead HPA, followed by Guerra Bovea and Wawner with two each. Craven and Bayla Jefferson each scored a goal.

Akau and Wise each scored two goals to lead KSH, followed by Rocha and Uakea Moleni with one each.