Kamehameha, Hawaii Baptist claim State titles to close out 2024 volleyball season

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – The high school girls volleyball season wrapped up Saturday night on the North Shore.
In the Division one, Kamehameha claimed their 25th state title, a program that’s long dominated the sport.
“I love this group of girls, I wouldn’t want to win it with anybody else,” said Kamehameha outside hitter Kamano Goldstein.
While it was a fairytale ending for the Warriors, the season didn’t start off that way.
Kamehameha went into the state tournament with six losses, all to rival Iolani.
The shift in momentum came following a mid-season tournament in Las Vegas, where they faced some of the nations best.
“I think after we got back on the trip, I think we definitely changed as a team, we got a different mindset,” said Goldstein.
This feeling isn’t new for head coach Chris Blake, this is his 13th state title, but he’s filled with just as much pride today as he had in 2005 when he won his first championship.
“We’re playing for our school, we’re playing for our princess and finding a way to play for the Lahui is super important for us, but for us to step out and do that right here in the last match of the season, it’s always our goal and I’m proud of the girls and how they did, proud of the staff and all of the staff that allowed the success to happen,” Kamehameha head coach Chris Blake.
Earlier in the night, the Hawaii Baptist Eagles soared back to the top of the DII, their first title in nine years.
“It’s such a surreal feeling, this group of girls we worked so hard this whole season and I’m just so grateful to have them and everything that they’ve done and everything we’ve worked for, so it’s a great feeling,” said HBA outside hitter Marisa Nakata.
It’s hard to watch a play without seeing the impact of star outside hitter Marissa Nakata.
The trophy is only the start of the bright future ahead of her.
“I’m going to the University of Jamestown for the next four years. It’s pretty cold but I don’t know I’m really excited,” said Nakata.
For the Eagles, a win like this one means even more, as their entire coaching staff graduated from HBA.
“I couldn’t thank them enough, they’ve done a lot for me as a person and for the school, it’s awesome for the three of us to be alumni,” said HBA head coach Myles Shioji.
The coaching staff says the goal remains the same next year, though it’s tough to replace their seven seniors.
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