Moanalua Makes History With First-Ever Boys Volleyball State Title
Moanalua made history Saturday night, rallying past defending champion Punahou in five sets to capture the New City Nissan/HHSAA Division I Boys Volleyball State Championship — the first boys volleyball state title in program history for Na Menehune and the first by a non-ILH school since Roosevelt in 1979.
After dropping the opening set 25-14, Moanalua responded with wins in sets two, four and five to secure the dramatic victory at Pearl City High School. The final scores were 14-25, 25-18, 18-25, 25-19, 15-13.
Lionel Gannon led the way with 18 kills and was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player, while Jarryn McCutcheon added 17 kills, including the match-clinching point in the deciding set.
Moanalua came out firing in the fifth, jumping ahead 5-1 before surviving a late Punahou rally. With the lead trimmed to 14-13, libero Darric Abe made a diving save to keep the final rally alive before McCutcheon finished off the historic win.
Abe finished with a match-high 14 digs, while Puka Tauane added nine kills and two blocks. Taylor Chung chipped in seven kills, Jerome Obrero had five kills and three blocks, and Jett Felisi totaled six blocks.
Setters Colby Kawaa and Christian Cruz combined for 50 assists in the win.
Punahou was led by Cameron Porter’s match-high 25 kills, while Tanoa Scanlan added 15 kills and 13 digs.
The championship marked redemption for Moanalua after being swept by Punahou in the 2022 state final.