Coming back from a six-point deficit in the third of three sets, the Warriors defeated the Maui High Sabers last night at Ka’ulaheanuiokamoku Gymnasium.

“We worked together as a team,” Head Coach Bala Spencer said.

Senior captain Taylor Awai also felt they “finally worked as a team and proved that anything is possible.”

The first set was an exciting one, with both teams coming out hard. It was back and forth, but Kamehameha ultimately finished it off winning 26-24.

After completing that tough first set, the Warriors won a quick second set, ending with the score 25-15. Patricia Batoon and Charity Sadang dominated on the offense with five kills for Batoon and four for Sadang.

The third set could have gone either way. It started with both teams staying close, but soon the Sabers got up on the Warriors by six points on the strength of a string of kills by Toa Tongi.

During a drawn out Kamehameha rally, both teams started to lose focus, scoring on each others’ errors.

With the intensity high, the Warriors eventually tied it up at 20-20, and the two teams went point for point until a kill by Batoon at 24 points and an error by the Sabers on the next play gave the Warriors the win.

Winning the third set 25-23, keeps Kamehameha in first place (5-1) in the Maui Interscholastic League’s first division. Close on their heels in King Kekaulike, 4-1 after their win over Lāhainaluna.

During the run for the win, Awai broke a tooth diving for the ball. She was second in digs for the night with 13, behind Shalia Kamakaokalani, who had 15 digs. Awai was forced to leave the match for evaluation, but she was able to return for the last two points.

Overall, Batoon was a key player in last night’s match, with eleven kills, followed by Sadang with nine and Awai with seven.

“We’re gonna enjoy it [the win] for the next couple of hours, but we’re already working on our game plan for our next game,” Coach Spencer said.

Catch the Lady Warriors when they play King Kekaulike next Thursday, September 26, at Ka’ulaheanuiokamoku Gym. In their last match-up, Nā Ali’i bested the Warriors, and Kamehameha is hoping to even it up.

The junior varsity game will start at 4:30 p.m. The varsity will play at 6:00 p.m.

Gallery • 5 Photos

Photo by Maile Sur

Victoria Kunishi and Patricia Batoon block a serve by the Sabers.