Roosevelt Rallies to Capture OIA Division II Championship in Five-Set Thriller

HONOLULU — It was a night that tested every ounce of resolve the Roosevelt Rough Riders had — and they passed with championship colors. After dropping the opening set 25–8 in stunning fashion, Roosevelt regrouped and stormed back to defeat the Leilehua Mules in five sets (8–25, 26–24, 25–17, 25–27, 15–4) to capture the OIA Division II crown on Wednesday night.

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First-Set Shock, Then a Spark

The match began as a nightmare for the Rough Riders, who fell behind 18–0 before finally registering a point. Leilehua dominated the net behind Zraia Tolentino and Cali Moniz-Kealoha, suffocating Roosevelt’s attack and cruising to a 25–8 opening set.
But rather than crumble, Roosevelt head coach Jarin Lubong urged calm and trust.

“We just had to settle down and trust each other,” Lubong said postgame. “United we stand, divided we fall. Once the girls got that message, everything started clicking.”

The momentum began to shift in the second set. Behind steadier passing and sharper defense, Roosevelt went point-for-point with Leilehua. With the score tied at 23, Hilinai Kahawai and Alana Lewis delivered back-to-back plays — a kill and an ace — to seal the 26–24 win and even the match at one set apiece.

Roosevelt Takes Control

With the tension broken, Roosevelt’s confidence surged. Setter Nevaeh Brown orchestrated a balanced attack, connecting repeatedly with outside hitter Kaycie Garnett, who came alive with a string of kills and service aces. Roosevelt jumped out early and never looked back in the third set, rolling to a 25–17 victory.

Defensively, the Rough Riders’ adjustments paid dividends. Lubong switched from a perimeter to rotational defense, positioning his players to neutralize Moniz-Kealoha’s favored line shot.

“We knew what Leilehua had and made adjustments,” Lubong explained. “We moved our center back to take away that line, and it worked.”

Leilehua Fights Back

Leilehua refused to go quietly. Sparked by their front line, the Mules clawed through a back-and-forth fourth set that featured 11 ties and multiple momentum swings. Despite Garnett’s relentless scoring and Kahawai’s timely kills, Leilehua’s defense came up clutch down the stretch, earning key blocks from Tolentino and Maria Koreti Vaa to take the set 27–25 and force a decisive fifth.

Championship Composure

With everything on the line, Roosevelt’s young squad played like seasoned veterans. Garnett opened the fifth set with a pair of aces, Itoga added kills from the middle, and Brown’s precise setting kept the Mules on their heels. The Rough Riders dominated 15–4 to clinch their first OIA title in years.

For Garnett — named the Fun Factory VIP of the Game — the championship was the culmination of months of growth and grit.

“It means everything,” Garnett said. “Our team is young, we have so much potential, and this is just the beginning. We still have states to go, but I’m so proud of what we did this season.”

After a rocky start, Roosevelt’s unity and resilience carried them to the finish line.

“That girl wants it — she’s always wanted it,” Coach Lubong said of Garnett. “I’m so proud of her and how she led this team tonight.”

Fun Factory VIP of the Game: Kaycie Garnett

The outside hitter delivered a signature performance when it mattered most — leading Roosevelt’s comeback with clutch kills, pinpoint serving, and on-court leadership that steadied her team through adversity.