Despite being told of a recent forfeit, the Radford girls volleyball team continued its hot hitting yesterday, sweeping visiting Leilehua, 25-21, 25-20, in an O'ahu Interscholastic Association Red West Division match at Jim Alegre Gymnasium.

Radford improved to 6-3 in the Red West. Leilehua fell to 5-3.

Rams' coach Kahala Kabalis said Radford was told it would have to forfeit a win over Kapolei on Sept. 13.

"We had an ineligible player," she said.

The Rams didn't let the news get to them last night, dispatching the Mules in 50 minutes.

"We feel confident right now," said senior outside hitter Marlena Malepeai. "We're not satisfied, though, we can't let down."

Malepeai led the Rams with seven kills and Radford got aces from five players.

Radford led 10-4 in the first game after a Leilehua hitting error, but the Mules twice closed to three points at 18-15 and 23-20. However, both times Radford was able to distance itself to prevail.

Leilehua stormed back in the second game, jumping to a 5-0 lead. Radford's Bui Baravilala stopped the bleeding with her second kill of the match. She finished with four.

Kabalis did not call a timeout in the second game.

"We weren't adjusting to their scrappiness," she said of the second-game struggles. "We had to fine-tune our game, but I know that they could do it and they showed it."

The Mules went back on the offensive, extending their lead to 9-3 before errors began to haunt them.

Leading 20-18, the Mules committed one of their 10 errors in the game. Another hitting error tied it at 20 and Leki Gapelu's kill put the Rams ahead for good at 21-20.

Malepeai put away the last three points to clinch the win.

"Marlena is a veteran senior and she has what we call the intangibles," Kabalis said. "She can come right back after making a mistake."

Darian Tolentino and Ashley Gonzales had four kills apiece to lead the Mules.

Radford also swept division-leader Mililani Tuesday night.

The Trojans (7-2) beat host Wai'anae in three games last night to claim sole possession of first place in the Red West, with Radford in second.

Leilehua has matches against Wai'anae, Kapolei, Mililani and 'Aiea left. Radford finishes with 'Aiea, Kapolei and Pearl City. Mililani has Pearl City, Leilehua and Kapolei left.

Reach Kalani Takase at ktakase@honoluluadvertiser.com.