HILO, Hawai'i — Effectively using every one of its powerful weapons, Kamehameha won its third straight New City Nissan/Hawai'i High School Athletic Association Girls Volleyball Championship last night with a 25-18, 25-19 sweep of 'Iolani.

A vocal crowd of about 2,300 at Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium watched as the Warriors — ranked No. 7 in the nation by prepvolleyball.com — finished the season with an overall record of 44-2, 20-1 in the regular and postseason. Their only two losses were to preseason national No. 1 Assumption (Louisville, Ky.) and No. 23 'Iolani, which ended up 31-6-1 (19-3 in the regular and postseason).

"Words can't describe this, it's such a tremendous moment to conquer," said Kamehameha senior outside hitter Kanani Herring, who was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player after notching a match-high 13 kills and 13 digs last night. "To complete (the three-peat) as a senior, it's a very, very happy and exciting moment."

'Iolani was coming off an almost flawless semifinal sweep of Punahou on Friday, but was less sharp last night and the Warriors made them pay for just about every mistake.

Kamehameha took a 7-3 lead in the first game after a serving error and two hitting errors by the Raiders. Mahina Haina had a kill and a block to help 'Iolani close it to 9-8, but Jordan Meredith landed two straight kills to start a 7-2 run which put the Warriors ahead 16-10.

Herring's kill made it 18-11, and her ace pushed the lead to 21-13.

Leinani Keanini had two kills and Alissa Youart had a kill and a block to help 'Iolani close it to 23-18, but Kamehameha finished it with a block by Bekah Torres and a tip kill by Herring.

"We always think we have to play our best in order to win," said Torres, who finished with six kills and six digs.

The Warriors again grabbed control in the second game, breaking a 4-4 tie with a kill by Meredith and going up 8-4 after a Raiders error. Meredith and Torres each had two kills to help Kamehameha stretch the lead to 19-11 before 'Iolani rallied again.

Chelsea Hardin had two kills and a block as the Raiders clawed back and closed it to 19-17. But the Warriors answered with a line shot by Meredith and a middle attack by Torres to make it 21-17.

Kamehameha eventually ended it with a slide-step kill by Torres and an ace by Meredith.

On-court communication breakdowns hurt 'Iolani's execution throughout the match, and the Raiders were called for three lifts.

"But give credit to Kamehameha, they served tough and that caused our passing to be a little off," 'Iolani coach Jenic Tumaneng said. "We made some runs, but they got some key defensive points when they needed to."

Warriors coach Chris Blake said it was a true team effort, with Meredith adding six kills and Alex Akana three. Setter Caitlin Andrade controlled the balanced offense with 27 assists, and Tati Santiago contributed five digs.

"Our goal is always to be peaking at the right time, and we played our best match in our last match," Blake said."

THIRD PLACE

PUNAHOU (17-5) 25 25

KAHUKU (13-4) 21 20

Kill leaders—Pun: Anuhea Keanini 5. Kahu: Leilani Tafuna 7. Digs—Pun: Diana Hiromoto 9, Sydney Yogi 9. Kahu: Nile Te'o 9. Assists—Pun: Pihanakealoha Kea 15. Kahu: Tajana Santiago 7, Elizabeth Blake 7.

FIFTH PLACE

MOANALUA (13-6) 22 19

ROOSEVELT (14-3) 25 25

Kill leaders—Moan: Kaleinani Kabalis 11. Roos: Emily Maeda 6. Digs—Moan: Kabalis 9. Roos: Tami Taga 7. Assists—Moan: Carsen Mata 17. Roos: Darcie Anderson 10.

CONSOLATION

MILILANI (12-5) 25 25

WAIAKEA (15-4) 16 20

Kill leaders—Mili: Candace Soares 12. Waik: Chelsey Buyuan 7. Digs—Mili: Tiare Barroga 7. Waik: Alyssa Buyuan 10. Assists—Mili: Mariah Choo 26. Waik: Ashia Joseph 10.

Read Wes Nakama's blog on prep sports at http://blogs.honoluluadvertiser.com

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com.