Two weeks ago, many thought Kamehameha-Hawaii and Kalaheo would not be meeting until maybe the semifinals of the state boys volleyball tournament.

Instead, critical losses during their respective league tournaments put the two previously unbeatens into an unenviable position of not only facing each other in the first round of the New City Nissan/HHSAA tourney but also knowing that a victory would mean a quarterfinal date tonight with top-seeded and defending champion Punahou.

That’s the prize for the Warriors of Hawaii island after they swept Kalaheo 25-22, 25-17, 25-21 Wednesday evening at McKinley High’s Student Council Gym.

Led by junior hitter Evan Enriques’ 30 kills, KS-Hawaii (14-1) swept its way into a rematch of last year’s title contest with the Buffanblu (15-2).

"It’s going to be tough and we’re seeing them sooner than we might have thought," Enriques said of the match with the Buffanblu. "But we just have to take it one team at time."

A year ago, Punahou had to rally after being down 2-1 to overcome KS-Hawaii for the Buffanblu’s third title in four seasons and 30th in the 43 years of the state tournament.

"Yes, it is hard not to play the name," Warriors coach Guy Enriques said. "But to be the best you’re going to have to beat the best at some point.

"We were definitely disappointed not to earn that second seed after working so hard during the season. But we know we have to go through the big guys to earn what we’ve been working a whole year for."

The Warriors’ lone loss came last week in the final of the Big Island Interscholastic Federation tournament to Waiakea. Waiakea (13-2), seeded fourth, opens play against Kamehameha (15-3) in today’s second quarterfinal match at Waipahu High.

"It was tough to lose for the first time, but it made us hungry," KS-Hawaii senior setter Shannon Kanakaole said. "We need to come out with the same energy that we did tonight.

"We’ve been working on diversifying our offense, but I know I can always go to Evan. He’s the backbone of our team."

Indeed, Enriques — his left hand heavily taped from an injury a month ago — continued to bail out the Warriors when taking successful swings from all parts of the court. But he had help as well from younger brother Emmett, the sophomore setter-turned-outside hitter, and senior middle-turned-opposite Kaipo Woolsey.

The Warriors pulled away late in Sets 1 and 3. Kalaheo tied Set 1 at 22 on Nai‘a Singlehurst’s slam back of a service overpass.

But the Warriors closed it out, using a Mustang service error, Evan Enriques’ seventh kill and a miscommunication on a set by Kalaheo.

Kamehameha controlled Set 2 from the onset, pulling away to leads of 9-4, 17-10 and 22-14.

In Set 3, the Mustangs rallied from 22-17, closing to 23-21 when blocking a dump attempt by Kanakaole. But Kalaheo was called for a lift, setting up match point, and Enriques ended the match the same way he began it … with a kill, handing Kalaheo its third straight loss.

Kaiser 3, Roosevelt 0

The Cougars served the Rough Riders off the court with 11 aces, seven by senior hitter Casey Bolda, in the sweep. Senior middle Joe Haddock had a match-high 14 kills and was in on three blocks.

Senior hitter Rusty Vincent led the Rough Riders (7-10) with six kills and two blocks.

Five of Bolda’s aces came during an 8-0 serving run in Set 2 that saw Kaiser break away from a 10-10 tie.