KEAAU — It was Kamehameha analytical volleyball at its best in a win-or-stay-home match that felt more like a preparation for something bigger.
The Warriors scouted well, and wiped out Kalaheo 25-10, 25-17, 25-19 in the quarterfinals in the HHSAA Division I tournament on Saturday at Koaia Gym.
The two-time BIIF champion and No. 2 seed Warriors (16-0) will play Moanalua in the semifinals at 7 p.m. Friday at Na Menehune’s gym. Third-seeded Moanalua, the OIA champ, outlasted Kamehameha-Kapalama in five sets at home in its quarterfinal.
It’ll be a familiar matchup for the Warriors, who beat Na Menehune last season in the semifinals before losing to Punahou in four sets for the state championship.
On paper, at least, the Mustangs (10-5) presented a formidable challenge to Kamehameha because of their size, particularly 6-foot-3 outside hitter Naia Singlehurst and 6-4 opposite Kainoa Peterson. The Warrior starters are all 6-1 or shorter.
Singlehurst slammed 25 kills, and Peterson added 14 kills in a first-round win over Lahainaluna on Friday. Their height and firepower overwhelmed the MIL runner-up Lunas, who were outhit, .306 to .141.
However, Kamehameha outhit Kalaheo, .294 to .000, and compiled far more kills, 36 to 23.
Isaiah Laeha led the Warrior offense with 10 kills and a .304 hitting clip. He had help from Avery Enriques (five kills, .444), Paki Iaea (five kills, .400), Emmett Enriques (five kills, .111) and Chase Carter (four kills, .500).
Singlehurst had seven kills and hit negative .129. Peterson tallied three kills and hit negative .059. The only Mustang above the Mendoza line was Daniel Beaton (eight kills, .385).
The Warriors know how to win at states. The senior starting class of Emmett Enriques, Alameda, and middle blockers Hanale Lee Loy (out with a sprained ankle) and Iaea have reached two championships against Punahou in 2012 and last year.
It’s a run that started with Evan Enriques, the oldest of coach Guy Enriques’ four sons. His two youngest are sophomore growing twins Addie and Avery.
If the wipeout against the Mustangs showed anything, it’s that winning at Kamehameha, especially at states, never grows old with bigger fish to fry around the corner.