After being stretched to three games in its first-round match, the Iolani boys volleyball team knew it had to get out to a quick start last night.

Iolani defeated Kamehameha-Hawai'i, the third seed and champion of the Big Island Interscholastic Federation, 25-21, 25-21, at the HHSAA/NewCityNissan.com Boys Division I Volleyball State Championships at McKinley High's gym.

Iolani advances to a semifinal against second-seeded Kalaheo, the O'ahu Interscholastic Association champion, at 8 p.m. Defending state champion and top-seeded Punahou plays Kahuku of the OIA in the other semifinal at 6:30.

"It was extremely important," said Iolani coach Mike Among, of sweeping the Warriors. "(The Raiders) have quite an academic load, so we're cutting into their study time. (Monday night's match against Castle) was physically and mentally draining."

Iolani took a 9-3 lead in game 1, with senior setter Ethan Chang serving the first five points.

"A quick start was important so we get the momentum," said Iolani outside hitter/setter Kawika Shoji, who led the team with seven kills. "That good, early run set the tone of the rest of the match."

Kamehameha-Hawai'i would close to 15-14 on a block by senior middle blocker Jarom Auna and senior outside hitter Isaac DeGuzman. The Raiders answered with a 6-2 run for a 21-16 lead, but the Warriors scored the next four to close to 21-20.

Iolani would go on to score four of the final five points, with senior outside hitter Barry Kang and senior middle blocker Joshua Starbuck teaming for the block on the game's final point.

Kamehameha-Hawai'i started game 2 with an 11-6 lead, but the Raiders scored four points off three Warriors' errors to make it 11-10.

"We focused on our ball-handling a little more," Shoji said.

The score was tied at 12, 13 and 14, before Iolani took a 15-14 lead on a kill by Shoji, and never trailed again.

"They're a great team, but we kept pushing for intensity and playing with a sense of urgency," Shoji said.

The Warriors were playing in their first state tournament in the program's three-year history.

"There were a lot and lot of jitters," Kamehameha-Hawai'i coach Guy Enriques said. "It would have been nice to have not so hard of a draw, but you have to beat the best to be the best."

Kahuku def. Moloka'i: Kahuku senior outside hitters Junior Ale and Charles Bell each had eight kills for the Red Raiders, who defeated fourth-seeded Moloka'i, 25-23, 25-18. Kahuku went on a 7-0 run to go up 15-9 in game 1. Trailing 21-16, Moloka'i scored five straight to tie the score. Kills by junior middle Jarren Kaio and Bell, and two Moloka'i errors, gave the Red Raiders the game. In game 2, Kahuku went on a 5-0 run to go up 11-8. Moloka'i closed to 16-15 on a kill by senior outside hitter Chas Keola Albino. But Kahuku scored five straight points, behind three kills by Bell, for a 21-15 cushion. Moloka'i couldn't get closer than 22-18, as Kaio had a kill, Nicholus Gouviea had an ace and Moloka'i ended the match with a hitting error.

Kalaheo def. Pearl City: O'ahu Interscholastic Association champion and second-seeded Kalaheo easily disposed of the Chargers, 25-14, 25-17. Kalaheo jumped to a 10-3 lead in game 1, with help from junior middle blocker Tyler Caswell's two aces. Game 2 was much closer, with Pearl City taking a 7-5 lead, but Kalaheo jumped ahead 14-8. Pearl City went on to score the next three points, but Kalaheo outscored the Chargers 6-1 for a 20-12 lead, winning on a kill by junior middle blocker/outside hitter Chase Moses. Senior outside hitter Elias Davis led Kalaheo with 16 kills, and senior setter Chris Tumaneng had 10 digs. Pearl City senior outside hitter Gary Panui had three kills and seven digs, along with junior defensive specialist Russell Tolentino.

Punahou def. Waiakea: Senior middle hitter Kealii Frank led the Buffanblu with seven kills as Punahou won, 25-13, 25-14. Frank had six kills and three blocks in the first game. Punahou had a 17-13 lead in game 1, before Spencer McLachlin served five straight points, and junior outside hitter Taylor Akiyama served the final three, with senior outside hitter Will Ehrman putting down the final point. The score was tied at 7 in game 2, before Punahou outscored the Warriors 15-5 to make it 22-12.

CONSOLATION BRACKET

Radford def. Roosevelt: Senior outside/opposite hitter Eric Peterson had a match-high 13 kills in a 25-16, 21-25, 25-19 win over Roosevelt.

Radford will play the winner of today's match between Kamehameha-Maui and Castle for the consolation title at 3:30 p.m. tomorrow.

Reach Leila Wai at lwai@honoluluadvertiser.com.