When Saint Francis needed key points last night against host Radford, the team turned to hitters Kawena Cubi-Otineru and Kylie Harrington.

The dynamic duo combined for 32 kills as the Troubadours defeated the Rams, 25-17, 16-25, 25-22, to win the inaugural HHSAA/NewCityNissan.com Girls Division II Volleyball State Championships.

"The strategy was to go to our two biggest hitters because they can do everything," senior setter Kanani Perry said of critical points. "That's what we did."

The victory was especially sweet for Saint Francis, a school with an enrollment of about 400 students.

"It's good for the school," Saint Francis coach Eric Perry said. "We try to compete in Division I, but we always end up in fourth, fifth or sixth place."

Last night, Cubi-Otineru came through in game 3. With the score tied at 22, the senior hammered three consecutive kills to end the match.

"Every ball that came to me, it's either do-or-die," Cubi-Otineru said. "It was either give it to them, or let it go. So I just gave it to them with all my best."

In game 1, Saint Francis charged to leads of 7-2 and 16-9, and after Radford closed to 16-13, the Troubadours closed the game with a 9-4 run.

The Rams recovered in game 2, sprinting to leads of 10-2 and 22-10 before closing the game with a kill by Melanie Faaliga.

In game 3, a Saint Francis service error allowed Radford to tie the score at 22. That set the stage for Cubi-Otineru's heroics.

"I couldn't ask for any better time for her to be in the front row," Eric Perry said. "She's pulling two or three blockers at a time. She can get the job done."

Cubi-Otineru had nine kills in game 3, and Harrington added six.

"After the first game, we thought we had it," setter Perry said. "Then we got to the second, and I guess we got big headed. We got knocked to the floor. The third game, we just said we had to put this away."

Saint Francis overcame solid performances from Radford's Alzie Auelua and Faaliga. Auelua had 11 kills and seven blocks. Faaliga added six kills and 11 digs.

"I think our girls did really well," Radford coach Sheri Sagayaga said. "They set a lot of goals in the beginning, and recovered after the 3-7 record last year."

RADFORD 17 25 22

ST. FRANCIS 25 16 25

Kill leaders—Rad: Alzie Auelua 11, Melanie Faaliga 6, Marlena Malepeai 5. St.F: Kawena Cubi-Otineru 16, Kylie Harrington 16. Digs—Rad: Faaliga 11, Malepeai 10. St.F: Cubi-Otineru 12, Kristine Aquino 12. Blocks—Rad: Auelua 6, Malepeai 4. St.F: Cubi-Otineru 1.

THIRD PLACE

MARYKNOLL DEF. KAIMUKI: The Spartans of the ILH rallied to defeat Kaimuki of the OIA, 13-25, 25-20, 26-24. Trailing 24-22 in game 3, the Spartans shocked the Bulldogs by scoring four consecutive points — on a kill by Elissa Ji, an ace by Erika Nelson, a Kaimuki hitting error and the match-winner by Mau.

"We had no doubt in our minds, we wanted this so bad," said Mau, a junior setter and outside hitter. "We just pulled together. Everyone gave it their all. We worked hard for this."

FIFTH PLACE

KAISER def. SEABURY HALL: Chanelle Esteban hammered 11 kills as the Cougars of the OIA swept past the Spartans of the MIL, 25-17, 25-21, to capture fifth place.

SEVENTH PLACE

KAPA'A def. KONAWAENA: Amniesty Ragsac had five kills to lead the Warriors of the KIF past the Wildcats of the BIIF, 25-19, 25-20, for seventh place.

Reach Brandon Masuoka at bmasuoka@honoluluadvertiser.com.