The Buffanblu were screaming in celebration and hugging each other because they finally got redemption.

After losing three times to Kamehameha in the regular season, Punahou capitalized on the final meeting between the two girls volleyball powers.

McKenna Granato had 23 kills and 15 digs as Punahou beat Kamehameha 25-21, 25-15, 20-25, 25-21 in Saturday’s championship match of the New City Nissan/HHSAA Division I State Championships at McKinley.

"We’re kind of peaking at the right time," said Punahou coach Tanya Fuamatu-Anderson. "We’re able to pull it together at the right time. The kids were training very hard from our last meeting with them. We knew we still had to get better even though we went to five in the last match."

Hana Lishman added 11 kills for the Buffanblu (16-3). Kiani Tuileta had 48 assists and 15 digs. Punahou outhit Kamehameha .151 to .086.

"We realized we just needed it pull together and get it together," Granato said.

Tiyana Hallums led Kamehameha (17-1) with 14 kills and 23 digs. Kayla Afoa added 12 kills and Sarah Lau, who started at opposite before taking over as setter, had 31 assists.

The two teams have met in every state final since 2008. Coach Chris Blake led Kamehameha to state titles from 2005 to 2010. Punahou won state titles in 2011 and 2012.

"It’s indescribable," Tuileta said. "I kind of feel like this isn’t real. It went by so fast, it was so fun. I’m so relieved and so happy.

Kamehameha had won all three meetings this season with Punahou, including a five-set victory on Oct. 23 in the ILH final, in which Kamehameha lost starting setter Kamalani Akeo to a knee injury.

"I’m proud. Our girls fought really hard," Blake said. "Punahou brought a great match today and we got put into some tough spots."

Punahou rallied from an 18-12 deficit in Set 1 with tough serving from Brandee Markwith and uncharacteristic hitting by Kamehameha. Markwith served 10 straight points to put the Buffanblu ahead 22-18. Kamehameha had eight hitting errors during that span.

Another Warriors hitting error put Punahou at set point at 24-19. Kamehameha closed to 24-21 before Vae Malufau’s kill ended the set. Kamehameha hit negative .028 in Set 1.

Punahou carried the momentum into Set 2. Markwith dug balls hit over by Kamehameha and anchored the Punahou defense. She finished with a match-high 29 digs.

Kamehameha rallied to take Set 3. The Warriors used an 8-0 run to lead 22-17. Shiloh Pelaris, who subbed into the match in Set 2, had three kills during the run in which the Buffanblu had four hitting errors. Punahou closed to 22-19, but a kill from Afoa and ace from Lau put Kamehameha at set point. Kamehameha hit out on the next play and a Punahou net violation ended the set.

"That was kind of reflective of how we played when we’re losing to them," Granato said. "We weren’t focused on the next point, we were kind of freaking out about winning."

Granato’s kill tied Set 4 at 20 — the 14th tie of the set. Her next attempt was ruled out by the head referee, but the line judge signaled there was a touch. The call was reversed in Punahou’s favor and put the Buffanblu ahead 21-20.

"We just tried to keep the pressure and make less mistakes on our side, playing amazing defense and taking care of our side," Tuileta said.

After a Kamehameha timeout, Granato hit out to tie it at 21. She buried a kill on the next play and Hallums hit into the net to give Punahou a 23-21 lead, forcing Kamehameha to call its final timeout.

Punahou stuffed Kealani Browne to reach match point and Granato buried a kill to end the match, sending a wave of Punahou players off the bench in celebration.

"Once we hit around 18, 19, just one last push for everyone and get that win," Tuileta said.