The O'ahu Interscholastic Association crowned its first Division II volleyball champions last night, and the end result was Division I-type pride for the winners.

Radford outlasted Kaiser, 20-25, 25-23, 25-19, to capture the girls title after Waipahu swept 'Aiea, 25-14, 25-21, for the boys championship. Both matches were held at Farrington.

The teams will now try to win the inaugural DII state tournament next week.

"It feels the same (as winning a DI tournament), because we've practiced hard and we never gave up," said Radford senior captain Alzie Auelua, who finished with a match-high 13 kills. "They beat us in the regular season, so we wanted our revenge."

Just as their first meeting ended after a three-game struggle, last night's rematch also was a back-and-forth battle that saw each team scratch back from deficits.

Kaiser (12-3) built a 14-9 lead in the first game, but the Rams (14-1) evened it at 16-16 before the Cougars pulled away again.

Kaiser went up 17-12 in the game 2, but Radford fought back again with a 9-1 run and held off the Cougars, scoring the final two points on a kill by Melanie Fa'aliga and an error.

The Rams jumped to a 5-0 lead in the third game and never trailed, although Kaiser did close to 19-18 on a kill by Sharde Pratt. Kills by Auelua and Fa'aliga helped Radford end the match with a 6-1 run.

"After the first game, I took the girls on the side and asked them what pride meant to them and how they want to step up for the school," Rams coach Sheri Sagayaga said. "The bottom line is they won it with heart."

Radford's vocal cheering section — including about 50 students dressed in red and black — became louder as the match progressed and reached a crescendo as it ended with an ace.

"That's all our friends and family," Auelua said. "They were a big help."

Sagayaga agreed.

"Our fans are awesome, our school is awesome," said Sagayaga, who coached Moanalua to a state tourney berth three years ago. "This is exciting for our kids, because it's their first time."

Chanelle Esteban led the Cougars with nine kills.

In the boys match, Waipahu broke from an 8-8 tie in the first game, scored five straight points to make it 13-8 and then kept adding to its lead. 'Aiea kept it close in the second game, even taking a 19-18 lead.

But the Marauders (13-2) finished with a 7-2 run to hand Na Ali'i their first loss in 16 OIA matches.

"I feel good, I feel excited," said Waipahu's Malosi Saolotoga, who finished with eight kills and one ace.

The Marauders actually made the OIA playoffs last year, when there were no separate divisions, and return several players from that team. Waipahu was placed in Division II because of the OIA formula that takes each program's two-year record into consideration.

"Two years ago, we didn't have the numbers and had a bad record," Marauders coach Julna Pasicarin said. "We wanted to be in Division I, and at first it was hard keeping the players motivated for Division II."

Saolotoga said they are motivated now.

"We found out we would be Division II (in August), but we don't complain, we just play hard to win," he said. "Now we gotta prepare for states."

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com.