Punahou made it all the way to the state Division I final a year ago, and the Buffanblu are off to a undefeated preseason start in softball.
As a result, they’re the No. 1-ranked team in the first Honolulu Star-Advertiser Softball Top 10 of the year.
The regular season starts this week with the ILH playing three of four schedule games on Monday. Pac-Five had to forfeit its game against Mid-Pacific due to a lack of players.
The defending D-I state champion Leilehua Mules are No. 2, followed closely by Campbell. The Mules open their regular season on Tuesday against Kapolei.
Last year, Leilehua beat the Buffanlu 14-4 in six innings in the state final.
In a preseason game this year, Punahou topped Leilehua 15-8.
No Neighbor Island teams made the first Top 10 of the season.
There are five teams from the ILH (Punahou, No. 4 St. Francis, No. 7 Maryknoll, No. 8 Kamehameha, and No. 10 ‘Iolani) and one from the OIA East (No. 6 Roosevelt).
As usual, the OIA West is well represented, with four teams — Campbell, Leilehua, No. 5 Mililani and No. 8 Kapolei.
Mid-Pacific (eight), Waianae (seven), Lahainaluna (six), Kaiser (three), Waiakea (three), Baldwin (two), Pearl City (two) and Maui (one) also received votes.
Honolulu Star-Advertiser Top 10
| GIRLS VOLLEYBALL | ||
|---|---|---|
| Updated: 10/23 | ||
| RANK | TEAM | VOTES |
| 1. | Kamehameha (10) | 100 |
| 2. | Punahou | 89 |
| 3. | KS-Hawaii | 80 |
| 4. | Moanalua | 67 |
| 5. | 'Iolani | 60 |
| 6. | Baldwin | 46 |
| 7. | Mililani | 34 |
| 8. | Mid-Pacific | 27 |
| 9. | Damien | 20 |
| 10. | University | 14 |
Undefeated no more!