HHSAA water polo: Kalani outlasts Konawaena in 3OT marathon match

Konawaena won’t be bringing back a banner from its debut appearance at the HHSAA girls water polo championships.

What the Wildcats will bring back from the Duke Kahanamoku Aquatic Complex on Oahu is the memory of one of the most thrilling matchups in recent memory, which Konawaena unfortunately ended up on the wrong side of.

After battling through regulation and nearly three overtime periods, Kalani’s Mahie Lee netted the game-winning sudden-death goal, relegating Konawaena to the consolation bracket. Kalani (8-5) advances to face No. 2 seeded Kahuku (11-0).

Aaliyah Butler and Porsha Brandt netted goals for Konawaena (7-6).

The Wildcats have a day off before facing Kaiser in the consolation matchup at 1:30 p.m. on Friday. The Cougars lost to ILH opponent Kamehameha-Kapalama 12-1 in the first round.

Konawaena has made progress every season since the program was reignited three seasons ago. In their first season back in the pool, the Wildcats only managed a single win, but transformed into a BIIF playoff team in 2014. The squad followed up that feat this year by qualifying for the state tournament after upsetting Hawaii Prep in the BIIF semifinals.

If Konawaena keeps trending in the same direction, a state tournament win is surely on the Wildcats’ to-do list for next season. The team loses a handful of strong-swimming seniors, but will return key cogs including Bailey Walters and goalkeeper Taiana Tolleson.

In other state tournament action, Kapolei — the OIA runner-up — beat Leilehua (6-6) 10-1 behind a pair of goals from both Leilani Herrera and Annika Slattery. The Hurricanes (11-1) will face BIIF champion Kamehameha-Hawaii (11-1) in the quarterfinals on Thursday at 2:45 p.m.

Roosevelt (10-2) used three fourth quarter goals to swim past Baldwin (10-4) 7-5. Taylor Brooks led the way with four goals for the Rough Riders, who advance to take on seven-time defending state champion Punahou.