Before defending state champion Kamehameha thinks about another title, the Warriors are figuring out how to improve during practices.

Much of last year’s championship team returns, but there also are two very big roles in the roster to fill. If the Warriors want to win another state title, they will have to do it together.

"It’s going to be a matter of them playing together and taking the next step," Kamehameha coach Chris Blake said. "The strength of our team will be our team. It’s never one thing or the other thing. If we play cohesively, (we) will step up and we’ll do a lot of great things this year.

"We need to get better in the gym before those type of performance goals will be out there."

Tiyana Hallums provides the big arm at outside hitter and libero Mia Heirakuji returns to stabilize the back row. Kealani Browne is back in the middle and outside Kayla Afoa has recovered from an ACL injury suffered last year. Blake said Afoa worked hard in and out of the gym to return to the court.

"We still have good chemistry and are still able to play with each other even though some of us were on the bench last year," said Hallums. "We’re able to intermix very well."

The Warriors are already testing themselves early in the season. It scrimmaged two of the mainland teams in this week’s Ann Kang Invitational, providing opportunities to test new lineups and plays.

"We have a very solid core of kids and they’re relishing the opportunity to compete," Blake said. "Tiyana and all our seniors understand what it takes to step into the gym and improve. Leadership will be the key."

Four-year starters Faith Maafala and Alohi Robins-Hardy graduated and left behind big roles to fill. Robins-Hardy, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser’s Player of the Year last season, and Maafala delivered in all facets of the game. They split duties at setter and both hit and played in the back row.

"The two leaders of that caliber, they did a good job of leading our team to where we were last year," Blake said. "It was a great place to show our kids what it takes for us to be at that level."

Hallums wants to win another Interscholastic League of Honolulu and state championship. The Warriors won state titles from 2005 to 2010, then lost to Punahou in the state final in 2011 and 2012.

"Everyone is trying their best to learn the new sets," Hallums said. "You don’t want to get down on them because we all have a common goal."