KEAAU — Hilo’s roofing company, led by Laurie McGrath, Mahala Kaapuni, Taina Leao, and Kailee Kurokawa, got the job done against Kamehameha’s powerhouse hitters, featuring standout freshman Tiani Bello.
The Vikings outblocked the Warriors, 14-4, to prevail 26-24, 25-7, 22-25, 23-25, 15-11 in the BIIF Division I semifinals on Wednesday night at Koai’a Gym, where the atmosphere was just as electric as the back-and-forth play.
Hilo clinched a berth to the HHSAA state tournament, its first since 2013. The state tourney starts Monday, Oct. 24 with first-round matches.
The season is over for the Warriors (13-4), who lose senior opposite Kailee Yoshimura, middle blocker Cienna Daog, and three others in Kaui Cabatu, Aleia Kekaualua, and Kauahoe Kane-Kalua.