Senior Mehana Pilago helped Kealakehe halt a four-year drought at the Hawaii High School Athletic Association water polo tournament.
Pilago scored five goals and the Waveriders stifled Hawaii Preparatory Academy 10-2 on Friday at Naeole Pool in Keaau in the Big Island Interscholastic Federation semifinals, securing the league’s final berth at states.
Marissa Bryant-Manago recorded a hat trick for the Waveriders (9-2), who held Ka Makani (5-6) scoreless until the fourth quarter.
Second-seeded Kealakehe will face top-seeded Kamehameha (11-0) at 1 p.m. today in the league final. The state tournament begins Wednesday at Naeole Pool, and the winner grabs a bye into Thursday’s quarterfinals.
Ka Makani kept Kealakehe from states with a victory in last season’s semifinals, but the Waveriders won all three meetings between the clubs this season.
Anna Thomas and Chenoa Jesser also scored for Kealakehe, while Sarah Im accounted for HPA’s goals.
In the other semifinal, the Warriors overwhelmed Konawaena 18-4 as they seek to complete a fifth straight unbeaten BIIF season.
Chloe Martins-Keliihoomalu powered Kamehameha with five goals, and Acacia Trusdell and Pua Wong each poured in four. Katelynn Kubo added two scores and Halia Nahale-A, Cassidy Fratinardo and Aylyssa Pelanca each had one.
The Wildcats (4-7) got two goals from Mikala Fernandez and one apiece from Kaulana Ruedy and Bailey Walters.