Moanalua might have more talent than any boys volleyball team in the OIA, but there’s no letting up.

The fourth-ranked Na Menehune swept Kahuku 25-9, 25-12 and Kailua 25-5, 25-14 on Thursday, improving to 6-0 in league play.

Austin Matautia, Moanalua’s returning All-State Fab 15 player, was just one of several Menehune who played sharp.

Kailua, with six players standing between 6 feet and 6-5, offered the potential of a tough match, but Moanalua was too precise and explosive.

Matautia, a 6-foot-2 sophomore, had five kills and two aces in the first set against Kailua, which was 3-2 entering the match. Setter Skylan Engleman, a transfer from Maryknoll, had nine assists and one block, distributing the ball to Florida transfer Victor Zamudio, high-flying senior Reno Young and another senior, Lu’ugh Vailu’u.

The balanced corps of starters sat for much of the night, though, giving way to a solid reserve unit. Junior Karson Cruz had five kills and a block in the second set against Kailua, while Vailu’u also spiked five kills. Sophomore Seyj Engleman, the younger brother of Skylan, chipped in three kills and an ace, while backup setter Zachary Kagehiro, a sophomore, dished 13 assists.

Martin Tigilau, a 5-11 sophomore, led Kailua with three kills. Setter Caleb Valero, a hustling junior, had six assists and one ace.

Moanalua coach Alan Cabanting was stoic all night while his team played with plenty of energy.

"As we go through the season, this group is working on team chemistry," he said, noting that they have just two returning starters. "The good thing for the veteran players in our program is they don’t mind sitting so the younger players can get their experience, and they help each other at practice."

The arrival of the Engleman brothers is a major, solidifying factor. Sky Engleman’s skill as a setter has taken some pressure off Matautia.

"His vision of the court is getting better, seeing shots a little bit more with the addition of Sky. Now he doesn’t always have to attack. He’s finding sharper angles, deeper courts," Cabanting said. "He’s devoted himself to defense."

Na Menehune are at a high level in the OIA, and without a consistently tough schedule, creativity helps.

"We’re trying to get our alumni to come back and help out during spring break," Cabanting said. "We’ll schedule some scrimmages. We have to be creative. ‘You’re down 15-0 and you have to win.’ Hopefully, they get used to adversity."

In another match at Moanalua, Kailua outlasted Kahuku 25-20, 27-26.

Kahuku’s first-year coach, former player Joaquin Lessary, is all of 19 years old. He and his staff handled the two defeats with composure. The Red Raiders (0-2) have some good height, but there are no seniors and just three juniors.

"We need to do more talking, more moving our feet and less service errors," said Lessary, who was missing two key players due to academic probation. "But I just encourage them to enjoy the game."

OIA

Varsity boys
Campbell def. Waialua 25-14, 25-17
Mililani def. Waianae 23-25, 25-18, 15-12
Mililani def. Waialua 25-11, 25-9

ILH

Division I varsity boys
Kamehameha def. Maryknoll 25-16, 27-29, 25-23

Division II varsity boys
Hanalani def. St. Francis 25-17, 26-24
Punahou II def. Lanakila Baptist 25-3, 25-5

Junior varsity boys
Damien Purple def. Hanalani 25-17, 25-21
Damien Gold def. University 25-20, 23-25, 25-22
Maryknoll def. Hawaii Baptist 25-14, 25-21