After five weeks out of the top spot, Kamehameha closes the 2021-22 season at No. 1 in the Star-Advertiser Girls Volleyball Top 10.
The Warriors collected all 10 first-place votes on Monday after winning the New City Nissan/HHSAA Division I State Championships over the weekend. Kamehameha dropped only one set in four matches, and swept previously top-ranked Punahou in the final.
Eight slots in the Top 10 had a change. ‘Iolani, idle since the end of the ILH season, moved back up to No. 3. Kahuku dropped to No. 4 after losing to Kamehameha in the semifinal round. The Lady Raiders lost to Moanalua in a third-place game, but the panel of coaches and media gave Kahuku one more point than Na Menehune in the final tally.
Division II state champion University finished a historic season with a No. 6 ranking in the Top 10. It was the Jr. ‘Bows’ first state title since 1990.
Le Jardin, Mililani, Damien, Kapolei and Maryknoll round out the Top 10, which was more a Top 11 because Kapolei and Maryknoll finished tied at No. 10.
Damien had been out of the rankings since Nov. 5, but reached the D-II state semifinals and had University on the ropes with a 2-0 lead. ULS eventually rallied for a five-set win.
Star-Advertiser Girls Volleyball Top Ten
Dec. 13, 2021
Rank School (first-place votes) (overall, regular season W-L) points last week’s ranking
1. Kamehameha (11) (12-5, 6-3 ILH) 110 2
> def. Kapolei 25-20, 25-17, 22-25, 25-17
> def. No. 7 Baldwin 25-9, 25-15, 25-16, McKinley gym
> def. No. 3 Kahuku 25-13, 25-20, 25-15, Moanalua gym
> def. No. 1 Punahou 25-18, 25-15, 25-22
2. Punahou (12-3, 7-2 ILH) 99 1
> def. No. 10 Mililani 25-16, 25-20, 25-21, Moanalua gym
> def. No. 5 Moanalua 25-14, 25-18, 25-9
> lost to No. 2 Kamehameha 25-18, 25-15, 25-22
3. ‘Iolani (6-6, 5-4 ILH) 86 4
4. Kahuku (13-3, 9-1 OIA East) 64 3
> def. Hilo 25-11, 25-14, 25-16
> lost to No. 2 Kamehameha 25-13, 25-20, 25-15
> lost to No. 5 Moanalua 23-25, 25-21, 15-11
5. Moanalua (15-2, 10-0 OIA East) 63 5
> def. Kaiser 25-14, 25-11, 25-18
> def. No. 10 Kamehameha-Hawaii 25-17, 25-22, 28-26
> lost to No. 1 Punahou 25-14, 25-18, 25-9
> def. No. 3 Kahuku 23-25, 25-21, 15-11
6. University (13-4, 5-3 ILH D-II) 59 6
> def. Radford 25-20, 25-12, 25-14
> def. Damien 23-25, 21-25, 27-25, 25-15, 17-15
> def. No. 8 Le Jardin 28-26, 25-19, 19-24, 22-25, 15-9
7. Le Jardin (12-5, 6-2 ILH D-II) 47 8
> def. Kalaheo 25-12, 25-14, 25-13
> def. Seabury Hall 25-17, 25-13, 21-25, 25-12
> def. Maryknoll 28-30, 25-21, 25-17, 25-22
> lost to No. 6 University 28-26, 25-19, 19-24, 22-25, 15-9
8. Mililani (14-3, 9-1 OIA West) 28 10
> def. Kamehameha-Maui 25-17, 25-10, 25-10
> lost to No. 1 Punahou 25-16, 25-20, 25-21
> def. No. 9 Kamehameha-Hawaii 26-28, 25-20, 15-12
> def. Hilo 25-17, 25-21
9. Damien (11-2, 8-1 ILH D-II) 18 NR
> def. Leilehua 25-13, 25-21, 25-19
> def. Hawaii Prep 25-15, 25-15, 23-25, 25-12
> lost to No. 6 University 23-25, 21-25, 27-25, 25-15, 17-15
> def. Maryknoll 25-22, 25-22
10. (tie) Kapolei (12-3, 11-0 OIA West) 13 NR
> lost to No. 2 Kamehameha 25-20, 25-17, 22-25, 25-17
10. (tie) Maryknoll (11-6, 7-2 ILH D-II) 13 NR
> def. Konawaena 25-18, 25-23, 25-16
> def. Waimea 25-16, 25-19, 25-23
> lost to No. 8 Le Jardin 28-30, 25-21, 25-17, 25-22
> lost to Damien 25-22, 25-22
No longer in Top 10: Baldwin (No. 7), Kamehameha-Hawaii (No. 9).
Also receiving votes: Baldwin 4, Hilo 1.
The final poll should reflect how the teams finished the state tournament. Don’t boost up a team that didn’t qualify for states, don’t boost up a team that didn’t place where they’re ranking is, don’t boost up a team that doesn’t play in division 1, into the top 10.
Congrats to Kamehameha, one of the strongest teams I’ve ever seen in a state tournament. Punahou is another great team that went up against a buzzsaw. Moanalua should be 3rd, they beat Kahuku twice, including where it counted. But pollsters still feel Kahuku would be better. They played straight up. what more is there to say. Why play the game if peoples opinions matter more then what is shown on the court. Sorry for a good Iolani team, but they weren’t in the tournament, so we don’t know if they could beat the top OIA schools.
Why does Le Jardin, University, HBA, etc, keep dominating DII? They should step up in competition, so we can see if they deserve to be ranked in the top 10. I’ve seen DII teams in the OIA, they belong in DII. They get absolutely blasted by the ILH teams. Rewarding those teams for playing down in competition?
@ OIA Fan
Division 1 and 2 should have two separate polls for their respected division in all sports. The ILH divisions 2 teams would NOT beat the top 4 OIA D1 teams in girls volleyball and that’s a fact. As for the Mene’s beating Kahuku where it counted, not really, Moanalua got beat in the OIA final on their home court where it actually counted! The 3rd place HHSAA match is a lack luster, nobody remembers who won that game.
@OIA Champs
Not totally against what you stated. Moanalua won 2 of 3 meetings ended up 3rd in the state. The final poll is based on how teams ended the season. Personally, I’d take the OIA championship also.
@OIA fan,
Agree with OIA Champs… A year from now everyone only remember who won OIA/States not which school was 3rd and 4th. Where it counted was when Kahuku 11-1, beat the previously unbeaten Moanalua at 12-0… At Moanalua… For an OIA Title… All anyone will remember is 2021 OIA Girls Volleyball Champions… Kahuku High School.
I vote they stop all these extra games once you lose in states… Who the heck cares who was 3rd, 5th, or 7th…