'AIEA — Roosevelt was willing to risk the dangers of an aggressive serve yesterday, and the daring strategy paid off in a 25-15, 25-23 victory over Mililani in the O'ahu Interscholastic Association girls volleyball quarterfinals at 'Aiea Gym.

The Rough Riders (11-2) will play Kalani (7-7) in Thursday's semifinals at 6 p.m. Kahuku (12-1) will face Moanalua (11-3) in the other semifinal at 8. Both matches at McKinley's Student Council Gym will be televised live on OC-16.

In yesterday's other quarterfinals, Kahuku defeated Farrington, 25-18, 19-25, 25-13; Moanalua swept Waipahu, 25-20, 25-20, and Kalani defeated 'Aiea, 26-28, 25-17, 30-28.

In the consolation round, 'Aiea beat Mililani, 25-20, 25-19. Meanwhile, the consolation match between Waipahu and Farrington was postponed after electrical problems at Kahuku gym.

Roosevelt's quarterfinal win over Mililani was not a thing of beauty, with 11 serving errors stalling several opportunities to make a run. But the aggressive approach also worked late in each game, as the Rough Riders ran off seven straight points in the first, and five of six in the second.

"At first, I think everyone was nervous," said Hoku Oleole, who had three aces in a seven-point run that gave Roosevelt a 24-13 lead. "But after a while, we just played our game."

The Trojans (10-4) stuck around early in the second game as well, closing to 16-14 on — what else? — a serving error. But they had trouble handling the Rough Riders' line drive serves over the next six points as passing breakdowns resulted in a 21-15 lead for Roosevelt.

Mililani rallied to close to 22-21, then stayed within a point a 23-22 and 24-23 after two more serving errors by Roosevelt. But the Rough Riders finished it off with a dink by Meleana Yamashiro.

"Before the match, I told the girls whoever is aggressive can win it," Roosevelt coach Bryan Camello said. "That was a big part of our serving errors. But I've noticed this season that when we're aggressive, that's when we score. I think we have to attack people in order to do well."

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertis er.com or 535-2456.

DIVISION II

GIRLS VARSITY

Kaimuki def. Wai'anae 25-9, 26-28, 25-22.

Radford def. Kalaheo 25-18, 16-25, 25-23.

Campbell def. Kailua 25-22, 19-25, 25-22.

Kaiser def. Waialua 25-12, 25-14.

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com.