In an intense showdown at the Kihei Aquatic Center on Saturday, the Kamehameha Schools Maui girls water polo team emerged victorious in a thrilling match against Baldwin High. The Warriors senior, Kailie Kalepa, showcased her skills by scoring three goals, including the game-winning shot in the third overtime, leading her team to a 9-8 win in the MIL tournament final.
The game was a rollercoaster of emotions, with both teams giving it their all. After Baldwin took a 7-2 lead, the Warriors staged an impressive comeback, scoring six straight goals to take the lead. The match reached its climax when Kalepa scored the sudden-victory game-winner with a perfectly-placed lob shot, securing the win for Kamehameha Maui.
Despite the exhaustion from playing with just two substitutes on the roster, Kalepa expressed her gratitude for her team and their hard work. The victory sets up a winner-take-all MIL championship game between Kamehameha Maui and Baldwin on Tuesday.
Both coaches, Chris Calvert of Kamehameha Maui and Lauren Shinozuka of Baldwin, commended their teams for their performance and resilience. The stage is set for an exciting rematch on Tuesday as both teams look to claim the MIL title.
In other matches, Lahainaluna clinched third place in the MIL tournament with a hard-fought 11-9 win over King Kekaulike. The Lunas will now face the third-place team from the Interscholastic League of Honolulu for a chance to advance to the state tournament. The stakes are high as the teams gear up for the next round of competition.