An ace by Taimane Alo sealed the deal Tuesday night for the Konawaena High School girls volleyball team to claim the BIIF Division II Championship.
Up 24-16 in the fourth set, the senior setter led the Wildcats to victory over defending champion Hawaii Prep when none of the Ka Makani was able to return Alo’s serve, ending the game. Konawaena dominated the entire fourth set, allowing Hawaii Prep to come only within three points during the matchup at Waverider Gymnasium in Kailua-Kona.
The Wildcats’ strong fourth set followed Konawaena taking the third set over Hawaii Prep 25-20 after rallying from being down 15-10. The Ka Makani did come within two points, however, the set went to Konawaena after two out-of-bounds plays by Hawaii Prep: a serve and a return.
Hawaii Prep won only the first set of the game, defeating Konawaena 25-19. The Wildcats decisively took the second set 25-16.
The Division II State Championships are set Oct. 25 to 28 at Stan Sheriff Center on Oahu.
Tuesday’s meeting for the BIIF championship was a rematch of the 2021 battle for the title between Konawaena and Hawaii Prep. That year, the Ka Makani claimed the BIIF Division II title, defeating Konawaena 3-2. At states, the team lost in the quarterfinals, and the fifth place consolation game.
The BIIF Division I Championship between the Hilo High School Vikings and KS-Hawaii Warriors was still in play as of press-time due to the Division II matchup pushing back the game’s start by over 45 minutes.