Pahoa High School's boys volleyball team clinched its first-ever berth to the state tournament, but the Daggers might scrap this week's trip if it doesn't raise enough funds to cover costs.

Pahoa beat Ka'u on Thursday night in the Big Island Interscholastic Federation playoffs to earn a berth to the Hawai'i High School Athletic Association Division II state volleyball tournament. Since then, coaches have been running against time to find the cheapest way to get their team to O'ahu for this week's tournament. Division I and Division II tournament brackets were released today and Pahoa (8-6) is scheduled to play Hana (8-2) in Wednesday's first round at Radford.

"Funding is still issue and we have until tomorrow afternoon to finalize our financial status," Pahoa coach Ikaika Marzo said today. "We have a meeting with the parents to see if they can put up some money, but it's pretty hard right now. We're looking for sponsors just because the (time between) BIIF championships till the state tournament is such short notice."

The Daggers had two fundraisers earlier in the season, but are still short. Marzo said if the team had to book flights earlier and didn't qualify for states, the team would've had to pay the airline's cancellation fee.

"Now the flights are really expensive, it's pretty hard for the kids to pay the difference," Marzo said.

There are 18 people in the travel party, including players, coaches and chaperones. Flights are running around $200 per person and their hotel stay from Tuesday through Sunday is $2,000. Transportation costs are already covered.

"They really wanted the state berth," Marzo said. "This is first time Pahoa ever went to states for volleyball. The sense of accomplishment was really big. Till today, they're still shocked."

To assist Pahoa, contact Marzo at 808-936-0456.