'Imi 'Ike, a girls volleyball team composed of most of the state's top players, lost to TCA-CA 3rdDegree (Calif.), 25-14, 25-16, 24-26, 29-31,15-12, in the finals of the 18 open division of the Junior Olympic Volleyball Championships in Dallas.

Outside hitter Kanani Herring, setter Anuhea Keanini and libero Sydney Yogi of 'Imi 'Ike were named to the all-tournament team.

"We were definitely the underdogs, but we had a great run," said Ryan Tsuji, who is club director and coached 'Imi 'Ike with Mike Sealy. "The girls got together and played great defense."

Tsuji also said the team had the backing of a great crowd of family, friends and other Hawai'i teams in the tournament.

'Imi 'Ike was 5-1 in its pool and then defeated Laguna Beach 3-1 in the first round, Golden Bear 18 FF 3-2 in the quarterfinals, and SCVC 18 Nike 3-1 in the semifinals.

'Imi 'Ike finished second in pool to Vision 18 Gold, which was ousted by 3rdDegree.

The Hawaii team featured 10 players, six of whom finished their high school careers and have signed with colleges.

They were:

All-State Player of the Year Herring (Kamehameha, UH); Leinani Keanini ('Iolani, San Francisco), Tatiana Santiago (Kamehameha, Nevada); Chanteal Satele (Word of Life, St. Mary's), Bekah Torres (Kamehameha, University of the Pacific) and Yogi (Punahou, Texas).

The four juniors on the team are Alex Akana (Kamehameha), Chelsey Hardin ('Iolani), Anuhea Keanini (Punahou) and Nicole Sepulveda (Word of Life).

Herring, Torres, Yogi and the Keaninis were first-team All-State players.

Sealy is an associate coach and Tsuji is manager for the University of Hawai'i women's volleyball team.