Honolulu. HI
The final match of the season came down to the two best teams in the 2025 HHSAA D1 Girls Volleyball State Championship. The ILH Champions, ‘Iolani Raiders, took on OIA Champions, Kahuku Red Raiders. With two teams with many different schemes and talents, it was set to be a match for the ages to be crowned a new State Champion. After falling short last year, the ‘Iolani Raiders earned their spot back into the title match hoping to claim their 5th title. Kahuku took down the reigning back to back champs of Kamehameha KapAlama the night before in the Semifinal match in hopes of upsetting ‘Iolani and brining the Koa Wood to Kahuku.
The number 1 ranked ilh champs, dominated the postseason after sweeping mililani and Moanalua in the quarterfinal and semifinal match. their dominating performance was led by Bailey NAKANELUA, Poema kalama-kingma, and Taimane Ainuu. the trio have been a nightmare for the opposing team, rallying a bunch of points and making their case that they were the team to beat.
as for the red raiders up north, their journey in the postseason was all gas and no brakes. the 3rd ranked oia champs swept Campbell in the quarterfinal, who they also beat in the semifinal match of the oia tournament. Their semifinal match against the reigning and defending back to back champs is what had a lot of people surprised. The lady Red raiders swept the lady warriors and punched their ticket into the title match to be the first oia team to face an ilh since 2002. snapping a 23 year drought, the lady red raiders looked to continue their momentum and pull the upset against 'iolani.
Both teams had their fan base going for them, as the game would start off good for the Lady Red Raiders. They started off each sets With an early led. being the strong dominating team that 'iolani had, it was just a matter of time for them to find their rhythm of the match and play their brand of volleyball.
It would be ‘Iolani offensive attack that would shutout the Lady Red Raiders offense and make a run of their own. Ohio State commit and Senior S/OH, Bailey Nakanelua, had herself a night as she would record a game high 36 assists. Nakanelua has been the heart beat of the team, encouraging her teammates throughout the season and it showed on championship night with her leadership and determination.
both teams did not drop a set at all this postseason, but with the execution from 'iolani, they would hand kahuku their first. Although kahuku has been dominating all season long, they didn't find a complete rhythm to pull themselves back into the match. With the leadership and play makers from the lauhingoa twins on kahuku, the lady raiders struggled throughout the match to answer 'iolani attack.
'Iolani knew that this was their shot to bring the koa wood back to their campus. after being ranked number 1 last year and having an undefeated season on the line, the reigning champs at the time of kamehameha KapAlama pulled the upset of the season and ruined the hopes for 'iolani of bringing another title back. this time, with being up 2 sets to nothing and having a dominant 3rd, they knew that every player on the court had to do whatever it took to close out the set and be crowned champs.
aloha ball for them came off an out of bounds hit from kahuku and with that, the 'iolani raiders are named your new 2025 d1 hhsaa girls volleyball champions. the mission was complete this year and the lady raiders earned their fifth title in program history. congratulations to the 'iolani Girls Volleyball program, School and Community!
Mahalo to everyone that has supported NorthVue Media this year as your main source of coverage for the 2025 Girl’s volleyball Season. We hope that every volleyball athlete has enjoyed the photos that our team have captured. Mahalo again for the amazing season and support from everyone. We look forward to covering it all over again next season!
Final Score: ‘Iolani 3 - Kahuku 0
25-18 I 25-13 I 25-9
Final Score: ‘Iolani 3 - Kahuku 0
25-18 I 25-13 I 25-9
for more pictures, head over to our photo gallery.
pictures taken by: Kennedy Velasco - @kennnchapo
