That unfamiliar feeling for the ‘Iolani volleyball team? Winning a championship.
The host Raiders (14-3) finally won an ILH girls championship, celebrating with their classmates who stormed the floor with them after a 25-17, 19-25, 27-25, 27-25 win over Kamehameha (13-5) on Saturday.
"That felt nuts," said ‘Iolani senior outside hitter Moea Kekauoha. "We never had that before and it was a big tackle. They all just came back from senior camp so they literally just landed and came here."
It’s ‘Iolani’s first league title since 2001, when the Raiders won that and the state title under the late Ann Kang. ‘Iolani hasn’t been to the state tournament since 2007, and will return this week with a first-round bye awarded to the league champion. It’ll be a new experience for several of the four-year players on the team, who spent the last three years watching Kamehameha and Punahou advance to the state tournament.
"It feels very different," Kekauoha said. "The vibes on the court are very different from the previous years. We really trust each other, have confidence in each other. There’s nothing more I can ask. We just have to get back to work and keep going."
The Raiders rallied from a 19-14 deficit to tie it at 21-21 in Set 3, then held off Kamehameha serving for the set at 24-23 and 25-24. Halia Hogan’s kill put ‘Iolani ahead 26-25 and Kamehameha hit long to end the set.
"Yesterday, we talked about when we’re down, we have to face adversity better," said ‘Iolani senior setter Bailey Choy. "We need to have a two-way conversation, not just one person talking. The other person has to listen and respond. I think that really helped in communicating with each other."
The Warriors, who also qualified for the state tournament, rallied from a 20-17 deficit in Set 4 and the match was tied at 22, 23, 24 and 25. An ‘Iolani block made it 26-25 and Sierra Buscher’s kill set off the wild celebration.
"It’s just amazing," Choy said. "We have our Raider Nation Club, so many are participating and it felt so good to have that support from the student body."
It’s the second league title for the Choy family in two days. Her father, Barney, coached Farrington to an OIA Division II title on Thursday.
"I’m so proud, so happy for him," Bailey Choy said.
The Division I and II state tournaments begin Wednesday at school sites on Oahu with the finals on Saturday at the Blaisdell Arena.
