Even more impressive than Mililani’s 11-0 record is the 23 straight sets the Trojans have won.
Both of those streaks figure to be tested next week.
For now, No. 5 Mililani can celebrate clinching a berth in the state girls volleyball tournament after a 25-10, 25-12, 25-19 victory over visiting Castle on Thursday night in the OIA Red playoffs.
The Trojans advanced into the winner’s bracket, where they face Moanalua on Tuesday at McKinley. East rivals Kahuku and Farrington will play in the first game of the doubleheader at 5 p.m.
"I try not to get ahead of myself," Mililani coach Val Crabbe said. "After tonight, we can (book) our trip to states, but at this point, it’s how many points you give up and we can’t give (those teams) points."
The Trojans are the only team to advance to the winner’s bracket out of the OIA West.
Now, they’ll have to test themselves against the best the East has to offer, beginning with Na Menehune on Tuesday.
"We’re psyched," outside hitter Ashley Vaoifi said. "We’ve been waiting all year for this one. Never underestimate us. We’re ready."
Vaoifi had a match-high 14 kills as the Trojans dominated the first two sets, just like they have all season.
Because the playoffs are a best-of-five format, Mililani played a third set for the first time.
Castle (8-5) gave the Trojans all they could handle and pulled even at 13-all.
Senior Qaire Puaauli-Puahi put down her team-high ninth kill to cut the lead to 19-18, forcing Crabbe to call her second timeout.
Jayierra Kapowai hammered back-to-back kills out of the timeout, and Mililani ended the set on a 6-1 run to finish the sweep.
"I (called the timeout) just to break the serve and wanted us to regroup," Crabbe said.
Sarah Liva finished with 10 kills, and Kapowai added nine as setter Jordyn Keamo spread the ball around to her talented senior classmates.
Keamo finished with 37 assists, including 22 in a third set that tested the Trojans’ endurance.
"I think (Castle) started catching on to our game and they started blocking me a little more on the outside," Vaoifi said. "We switched it up going around the back and we all adjusted well."
Senior Alissa Mauga had 15 assists, and junior Shaney Tiumalu had two solo blocks and assisted on another for the Knights, who have lost four of their past six matches.
Castle plays Leilehua, which lost to Moanalua in four sets in the first match at Mililani on Thursday, in an elimination match Tuesday at Farrington. The Knights need a win to advance to the state tournament for the fourth straight year.
MORE OIA RED PLAYOFFS
At Mililani
Moanalua def. Leilehua 25-19, 25-8, 23-25, 25-16
Mililani def. Castle 25-10, 25-12, 25-19