Kamehameha Hawaii Baptist claims state titles to cap 2024 volleyball season

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – The high school girls volleyball season ended Saturday night on the North Shore.

In Division I, Kamehameha captured its 25th state title, a program that has long dominated the sport.

“I love this group of girls, I wouldn’t want to win it with anyone else,” Kamehameha forward Kamano Goldstein said.

While it was a fairytale ending for the Warriors, the season didn’t start that way.

Kamehameha entered the state tournament with six losses, all to rival Iolani.

The change in momentum came after a midseason tournament in Las Vegas, where they faced the best players in the country.

“I think we’ve definitely changed as a team since we got back on the road, we have a different mindset,” Goldstein said.

It’s not a new feeling for head coach Chris Blake, this is his 13th state title, but he’s as proud today as he was in 2005 when he won his first championship.

“We play for our school, we play for our princess and finding a way to play for Lahui is huge for us, but it’s important for us to go out and do it right here in the last match of the season. that’s always our goal and I’m proud of the girls and how they handled it and I’m proud of the staff and all the staff that made it possible to be successful,” Kamehameha head coach Chris Blake.

Earlier in the night, the Hawaii Baptist Eagles soared back to the top of DII for their first title in nine years.

“It’s such a surreal feeling, this group of girls that we’ve worked so hard for all season, and I’m so grateful to have them and for everything they’ve done and everything we’ve worked for, so what a wonderful feeling it is.” said HBA outside hitter Marisa Nakata.

It’s hard to watch a game without seeing the impact of star forward Marissa Nakata.

This trophy is just the beginning of the bright future that awaits her.

“I’m going to the University of Jamestown for the next four years. It’s pretty cold right now, but I don’t know, I’m really excited,” Nakata said.

For the Eagles, this win means even more because their entire coaching staff is an HBA graduate.

“I couldn’t thank them enough, they’ve done so much for me as a person and for the school, it’s great that the three of us are graduating,” HBA head coach Miles Shioji said.

The coaching staff says the goal will remain the same next year, although replacing seven senior players will be difficult.

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