The Mililani girls volleyball team was finally able to defeat Pearl City after losing to the Chargers twice during the regular season.  The October 14th victory in the Oahu Interscholastic Association playoffs enabled the Trojans to remain alive for a shot at winning the league crown. The school which has dozens of OIA championship banners hanging in their gym has never won a league title in girls volleyball.

Mililani finished the regular season in second place in the OIA Red West Division with a 10-2 record. Mililani lost to Pearl City on September 9th and 30th. The Trojans lost to Kaiser in the second round of the league tourney, but then won two straight in the loser’s bracket to earn the right to continue in the tournament as one of the final four teams.

The Trojans are counting on six seniors – Shyanne Cossey, Lindsey Felix, Kahaulani Feleciano, Taylor Fong, Natori Igafo and Kirstie Naone - to lead the way in their match against Castle in the loser’s bracket on Tuesday, October 19th.

The winner will play in the championship match against the victor of the winner’s bracket on October 21st and possibly on October 23rd for the OIA title.

Many of the players on their team played in the HHSAA state tournament in 2009 and 2008. The Trojans rely on scrappiness utilizing quickness to outhustle their opponents. Defense has been key for Mililani in forcing errors and putting pressure on the opponents’ back row players.

“Mililani is definitely a very good team,” Castle coach Grant Tolentino said. “All of their players are experienced in playing against tough top competition. Our team will have to play at their best if we want to beat them."