Moanalua Caps Historic Season With State Volleyball Title

Breakthrough Victory for Moanalua

Moanalua’s 2026 campaign built momentum early, topping preseason tournaments without an obvious path to a championship. The squad turned mistakes into learning moments, completing a remarkable turnaround that ended the OIA’s state‑championship drought. For the first time since 1979, a program outside the ILH ranks captured the title, breaking long‑standing dominance in Honolulu boys volleyball. The victory signaled a new era of competitive balance across the division.

Gannon’s Tournament Dominance

Lionel Gannon delivered clutch performances throughout the state tournament, starting with a 19‑kill (.424) outburst, 1.5 blocks, an ace and four digs against Hawaii Baptist in the quarterfinal. He followed with 26 kills (.404), two blocks, two aces, an assist and eight digs versus Mid‑Pacific in the semifinal. The final showcase came against Punahou, where Gannon posted 18 kills (.250), 1.5 blocks, an assist and seven digs to secure the crown. His 63 kills across the tournament, including 18 in the championship win, earned him the Player of the Year award from the Star‑Advertiser’s coaching and media panel.

“It’s surreal, obviously. It’s everything I’ve worked for and dreamed of. Honestly, I’m just super glad we won. That’s the main thing that matters,” Gannon said after receiving the honor, highlighting the support of family, coaches and teammates. His steady leadership helped the Na Menehune adopt a disciplined approach, emphasizing fundamentals and solid serve reception. The senior outside hitter’s low‑error, high‑efficiency game proved decisive against top‑ranked opponents.

Cabanting’s Strategic Vision

Alan Cabanting captured Coach of the Year honors after guiding Moanalua to its first state title, praised for trusting his roster and leaning on composed leaders like Gannon. “That silent confidence is what we’re going to miss. He doesn’t talk a lot. He just shows it, models it and the boys playing around him somehow feed off that confidence,” Cabanting remarked, describing the team’s chemistry. His philosophy of letting the players feed off each other’s self‑assurance created a resilient unit capable of handling pressure. Cabanting’s second‑place finish behind Le Jardin’s Makana Wade and ahead of Punahou’s Rick Tune underscored the competitive coaching landscape.

Key contributors to the Championship Run

• Jarryn McCutcheon stepped up in the final, posting 17 kills to support the Na Menehune’s depth attack.
• Darric Abe anchored the defense with 12 digs against Mid‑Pacific and 14 digs in the title match, showcasing consistency and occasional spectacular plays.
• Sava Miocinovic of Mid‑Pacific recorded 27 kills directly against the eventual champion during the tournament.
• Kaito Duranceau contributed 43 kills, 7 aces and 24 digs at the state tournament for Mililani.
• Kanalu Akana orchestrated Punahou’s offense with 125 assists, 12 kills and three aces throughout the HHSAA tournament.

The Title Game: Weather, Crowd, and History

The championship night unfolded amid chaotic Kona low weather, prompting a postponement and a relocation from Laie to Pearl City. A packed house witnessed the historic clash, though the match was not televised due to the schedule change. Moanalua’s defense, sparked by the libero’s reliability, proved critical, especially in serve reception against Punahou’s strong service game. Gannon’s emphasis on passing allowed the team to stay competitive and eventually seize the title.

Looking Ahead: Chemistry and Continuity

The season’s success stemmed from a shared mentality cultivated early, with each teammate fully committed to Moanalua’s system. Players praised the varied personalities that blended into strong chemistry, noting how they meshed over months of practice and competition. The blend of experienced leaders and eager newcomers sets the stage for a competitive outlook in upcoming seasons. With Gannon’s graduation and Cabanting’s continued stewardship, the program aims to sustain its upward trajectory.