As big splashes go, the 'Iolani girls water polo team has generated a major one this season in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu.

'Iolani (5-0) has defeated 2006 state champion Kamehameha twice, and 2004 and '05 state champion Punahou already this season, and the Raiders made school history by going 3-0 in the ILH first round.

"We've always either lost to Kamehameha or Punahou," third-year 'Iolani girls coach Linda Look said. "We've never been in this position of being undefeated after the first round in all the years we've had water polo."

What's more, 'Iolani has just nine players — seven seniors and two sophomores — for the demanding seven-on-seven sport. Sometimes, four 'Iolani players play the full 28 minutes of regulation.

"We all get to a point where we're physically tired," said 'Iolani senior goalie Gerilyn Manago, who has played entire games this season. "But our goal is to stay mentally tough and mentally strong."

A nine-player water polo team is comparable to a basketball team with just six or seven players, 'Iolani assistant coach Neil Kuioka said.

"I tell the girls, water polo is the one sport you gotta be doing something to do nothing," said Kuioka, a 2000 'Iolani graduate, and former goalie of the 2000 ILH champion team. "In basketball, you can stop and put your hands on your knees in between plays."

'Iolani's small roster does just fine during games, Punahou coach Ken Smith said.

"If the nine players are in good shape, that's all you need, because only seven are in," said Smith minutes after 'Iolani beat host Punahou, 10-6, on April 4. "You can tell they're a real good swimming team. They're in real good shape."

'Iolani's limited roster has positives and negatives. Teaching and substitutions are easier with a small roster, Look said.

"The downside is when you don't have enough players to scrimmage," Look said. "You have to drag in some of the boys from the JV and varsity to help. Sometimes the two assistant coaches (Ian Kusao and Kuioka) have to jump in."

Two girls who played last season for the Raiders decided not to play this season, Look said.

"It seems the numbers are down this year for all the (water polo) teams in the ILH," Look said. "It's like a cycle. Some years, they all want to play basketball. Some years, it's volleyball."

'Iolani senior Aja Kusao — Ian's sister — said she appreciates the assistance from the boys teams and the coaches.

"It's really good when the guys come out and help us," said Kusao, who has been accepted at Occidental College (Calif.) and plans to play for the Tigers. "They help us with a lot of things the coaches don't see in the water."

It helps that the 'Iolani team is a close-knit bunch. The seven 'Iolani seniors — Kusao, Jade Look, Manago, Ashley Nickle, Dara Tawarahara, Shannon Whang and Kellie Young — have been together since the seventh grade. The two sophomores — Lea Masatsugu and Elyse Shimomura — played with the team last year.

"Everyone has a contribution to the team," Kusao said. "We've been playing together for such a long time. We may not have a lot of muscle, but we know what we do well, and what we don't do so well."

'Iolani feeds off its aggressive defense and its balanced, quick-strike offense. In its 10-6 victory over host Punahou earlier this month, five players scored for the Raiders. They outscored the Buffanblu, 8-3, in the first half.

"This year, we want to start the game off strong offensively and defensively," Manago said. "In previous seasons, we've always started off a little timid and hesitant."

The Raiders placed third in the ILH and state tournament last season. Recently, they defeated host Kamehameha for the second time this season, 12-11, on Thursday. The Raiders have never won an ILH girls water polo title.

"I think with a lot of our starters being seniors, we want it much more," Kusao said. "Because this is our last year, we want to win one for the school. ... it would be nice to go out on top."

Reach Brandon Masuoka at bmasuoka@honoluluadvertiser.com.