Salt Lake, HI
When Moanalua and Kahuku meet on the volleyball court, there is rarely a shortage of intensity and Wednesday night was no different. The second meeting between the two OIA Division I powerhouse teams this season delivered everything a rivalry matchup should. from momentum swings, explosive hitting, long rallies and a deciding fifth set that went all the way beyond 15 points.
With Moanalua looking to continue its perfect start in league play and Kahuku searching to even the season series, both teams came into the night with plenty of firepower. What followed was a five-set battle that ultimately came down to the final two points. The Lady Menehune opened the night by setting the tone, taking the first set 25–18. Moanalua's balanced attack created problems early as the home team established an early advantage.
The Lady Raiders answered in the second set, using strong serving and timely kills to flip the momentum. Kahuku took Set 2 with a 25–20 victory, leveling the match and putting the pressure back on Moanalua. The third set saw Kahuku take control even further. The Lady Raiders pulled away and closed out the third set 25–15, putting Moanalua in a difficult position. Suddenly, the Menehune were facing a 2–1 deficit and were just one set away from seeing their night come to an end.
With Kahuku having the momentum on the road, Moanalua had to respond and they did. The fourth set became another battle, but the Menehune gradually began to regain control. Moanalua created separation late in the set and held off a final Kahuku push to take the fourth 25–22. Just like the 2025 OIA D1 Championship between the two, the match was headed to a fifth set.
Everything came down to 15, Except this fifth set wasn't going to end at 15. Kahuku came out firing and jumped to an early 6–2 lead. Moanalua answered with a five-point run to take a 7–6 lead, setting the stage for a finish that would go point-for-point. Neither team could pull away. Moanalua led 14–12 and appeared to have a chance to close it out, but Kahuku responded and tied the set at 14. From there, the two teams traded punches. from 14-14 to 19-19, The fifth set had become a battle of composure.
With the match hanging in the balance, Moanalua continued to rely on its attack to keep the pressure on. After the teams reached 19–19, the Menehune managed to grab the next two points and finally close the door on the Raiders. The deciding set alone featured multiple ties and lead changes, illustrating just how little separated the two teams throughout the final stretch.
Moanalua's offense proved to be the difference maker when the match was at its most important. The Lady Menes were able to generate timely kills and finish points when opportunities presented themselves, allowing them to survive the late Kahuku push. Kahuku showed why they were never out of the match. After dropping the opening set, the Raiders won the next two and put Moanalua on the brink. Their serving pressure and attacking kept the Menehune uncomfortable for much of the night.
The two teams combined for 215 total points across the five sets, with Moanalua narrowly outscoring Kahuku 109–106 over the course of the match. The difference came down to winning the biggest points when they mattered most. Wednesday's result also added another chapter to what has become a competitive matchup between the two programs. Both teams have shown the ability to push one another to the limit, and this meeting was no exception. Kahuku survived the opening set loss, took the next two, and put Moanalua on the brink. Moanalua responded by forcing a fourth set, then survived a fifth that refused to end at 15.
In a rivalry already becoming one of the most competitive matchups in Hawai'i high school volleyball, Wednesday night added another chapter. Could there be a trilogy come October for the 2026 OIA D1 Girls Volleyball championship ? and if so, will Kahuku get the back to back titles and get their win against Moanalua.
Final Score: Moanalua 3 - Kahuku 2
25–18 | 20–25 | 15–25 | 25–22 | 21–19
25–18 | 20–25 | 15–25 | 25–22 | 21–19
For more pictures, head over to our photo gallery.
pictures taken by: Alan Velasco - @oscalev_
