The Punahou boys volleyball team allowed only one team to take it to three games all season on its way to capturing a second straight state title.

It also dominated The Advertiser All-State team, receiving four of seven spots on the first team, and junior outside hitter Spencer McLachlin was named the Player of the Year, selected by The Advertiser after consultation with a panel of high school coaches.

"It's so easy playing with him," Punahou junior setter Riley McKibbin said of McLachlin. "He's so tall and athletic, anything you put up he'll kill it pretty much every time."

McKibbin joined McLachlin on the first team, along with Buffanblu senior middle blocker Keali'i Frank and sophomore libero Erik Shoji. Also named to the first team were Iolani senior opposite/setter Kawika Shoji, Kahuku senior outside hitter Charles Bell and Kalaheo senior outside hitter Mana Guerreiro.

McLachlin, a first-team All-State selection last year and this season's Interscholastic League of Honolulu Player of the Year, was the go-to player on a loaded Buffanblu team. He was named the MVP of the state tournament after totaling 14 kills and hitting .444 in the final.

"Since he was a freshman, people had high expectations for him," Punahou coach Peter Balding said. "He finally started playing to the potential and expectations people had for him."

With a slew of offensive weapons, McKibbin had his pick of who to set. And he usually made the right decision.

"We have always believed he was one of the best in the state, and I think he finally got his due," Balding said. "He's one of the most competitive people I've been around, but nothing is beneath him. The vision that sticks out to me is of him walking his kindergarten brother to school. That side people don't really see."

Frank, an All-State second-team selection last year, has been one of the strongest middles in the state for the past two years.

"It's been a while, not just for Punahou, but for the state, to have a middle who was that dominant," Balding said.

Erik Shoji, "had the ability to take the match into his hands," Balding said. Erik was also named to the first team last year, when he was believed to be the first freshman to do so.

Kawika Shoji, older brother of Erik and the co-State Player of the Year last season, was the leader for Iolani, the only team to extend Punahou to three games.

"Without him, Iolani is not as strong," Balding said of Shoji, who signed with Stanford. "He has a way of elevating the level of play of those around him."

Iolani coach Mike Among called Kawika "a second coach on the court. There were times at the end of the year ... where in a timeout or between games, I didn't say anything to the team, I just turned it over to Kawika. I just trusted him with what his message would be."

Bell helped a depleted Kahuku squad — which almost didn't make the state tournament because of low numbers — to a fourth-place finish in the state.

"Just physically, he's probably the most dynamic guy that I saw this year," Among said. "I can see him playing at the next level, just because of his physical talents."

Guerreiro was a leader for the Mustangs, who won the O'ahu Interscholastic Association title.

"I thought in all the matches, he was (Kalaheo's) go-to guy," Balding said. "He was their physical leader and a guy who rallied their troops."

Punahou's Balding was named the Coach of the Year. Also receiving votes were Iolani's Among, Kahuku's Howard Kaululaau and Kalaheo's Sivan Leoni.

Reach Leila Wai at lwai@honoluluadvertiser.com.