HILO, Hawai'i — Spurred on by the surprise return of All-State libero Sydney Yogi and a breakout performance by outside hitter Diana Hiromoto, Punahou swept past Kalani, 25-20, 25-12, yesterday in the first round of the New City Nissan/Hawai'i High School Athletic Association Girls Volleyball Championships.

The Buffanblu, who finished third in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu, improved to 15-4 in the regular and postseason and will meet O'ahu Interscholastic champion and No. 2 seed Moanalua in today's quarterfinals at 6 p.m at Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium.

Kalani, which finished fifth in the OIA, fell to 10-7.

Yogi, a 5-foot-2 senior, suffered a right calf injury after practice on Oct. 23 and was thought to be lost for the season. But she practiced for the first time since the injury yesterday morning and was in the starting lineup by the 4:30 p.m. first serve. She finished with seven digs.

"Having her back was huge, because I've been playing with her since the eighth grade," said Hiromoto, a senior who contributed seven kills and five aces. "We know how she plays, and she covers so much of the court; it would have been different without her. We're so happy she's back."

Yogi said she went to the emergency room the night of the injury and was told the next day the calf muscle probably was torn. But after attending physical therapy sessions with Pat Ariki, she was able to walk by Friday.

"They had me use this exercise machine four or five times a day, and it got better really fast," said Yogi, who has made a verbal commitment to play for the University of Texas next season. "It was pretty miraculous."

Despite Yogi's presence, the Falcons hung tough with the Buffanblu for much of the first game. It was tied 18-18 before Punahou finally created some separation after a kill and block by Lani Fonua and a Kalani error made it 21-18.

The Falcons kept it close at 23-20, but two errors gave the Buffanblu a 1-0 lead for the match.

Hiromoto then opened the second game by serving nine straight points, including all five of her aces.

"I was just looking for open spots," Hiromoto said. "We had a 10-day layoff and were a little rusty in the first game, so we tried to push harder in the second game."

Kalani never got closer than six points the rest of the way. Falcons coach Janeen Waialae said the early second-game deficit was all too familiar.

"That's been our habit all season, we seem to have a mental barrier coming out of the second set," Waialae said. "Punahou is a great team and they played a great match, but part of it is we just have to play our game. We didn't come to play today."

Punahou's Anuhea Keanini finished with a match-high nine kills.

KAHUKU DEF. BALDWIN

Leilani Tafuna had six kills in eight attempts and the Red Raiders hit .339 as a team in sweeping the Bears, 25-16, 25-13.

O'ahu Interscholastic Association runner-up Kahuku (12-3) will face Big Island Interscholastic Federation champion and No. 4 seed Kamehameha-Hawai'i in tonight's 7:30 quarterfinal.

Baldwin fell to 7-6.

Tafuna, a 5-foot-10 outside hitter, said the Red Raiders were determined to start the tournament on a strong note. Kahuku was swept in last Thursday's OIA title match after leading the first game 24-22. The next night, the school's two-time defending state champion football team was upset at home in the league quarterfinals.

"The boys were still in shock (Monday)," Tafuna said. "We were talking before our game, and we said we gotta stay together and do it for the boys. We always support each other."

'IOLANI DEF. MILILANI

Leinani Keanini had nine kills and seven digs and Chelsea Hardin added five kills to help the Raiders sweep the Trojans, 25-15, 25-22.

'Iolani, the ILH runner-up, improved to 18-2 and will play Maui Interscholastic League champion and No. 3 seed Kamehameha-Maui (10-2) in today's 3 p.m. quarterfinal.

Mililani, the OIA's fourth-place team, fell to 10-5.

The Raiders started strong, jumping to a 20-9 lead at one point in the first game. But the Trojans rebounded in Game 2, matching 'Iolani almost point-for-point until the end.

After closing to 24-22, Mililani served into the net to end the match.

Candace Soares finished with a match-high 10 kills to lead the Trojans, and Allie Elliazar added seven kills and six digs.

ROOSEVELT DEF. WAIAKEA

Jacey Tagavilla had seven kills and Mele Yamashiro added six kills and 12 digs to help the Rough Riders sweep the Warriors, 25-20, 25-22.

Roosevelt, the OIA's third-place team, improved to 12-3 and will face ILH champion and No. 1 seed Kamehameha in today's 4:30 p.m. quarterfinal.

BIIF runner-up Waiakea fell to 12-4.

The Warriors jumped to a 15-9 lead, but the Rough Riders clawed back and tied it 19-19 on a Waiakea error. Kanoe Pupuhi had two kills and Leina'ala Batalona had an ace as Roosevelt scored five more points in a row to grab a commanding 24-19 lead.

Yamashiro ended it with a spike on a middle attack.

The Rough Riders used an aggressive serve in the second game to break a 5-5 tie and go up 17-10. The Warriors fought back and closed to 24-22, but Emily Maeda ended it with a push shot that landed just inside the line.

Chelsey Buyuan led Waiakea with a match-high nine kills.

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com.