On a day when everything went right, the Word of Life girls volleyball team finally earned a long sought-after win.

Word of Life held on for a 25-23, 26-24 victory over host 'Iolani on Saturday afternoon, marking the program's first-ever win over the Raiders.

The win was an all-around team effort where everybody played well for the Firebrands — serving, passing, blocking and staying within their system.

Keeping the Firebrands together was senior captain Phoibe Fetu, who sets and hits for the team. She is a four-year player and one of just two seniors on the squad.

"It was really overwhelming," Fetu said. "It's my senior year and all these years we've been the underdogs. We've come close, but we hadn't gotten it.

"This year's team, we really strategized this time. Our practices before the match, we focused on key things we needed to work on. Our statistician took notes we used and it came well together."

Fetu, who shares setting duties with Shelbi Miyashiro, helped the Firebrands finish with a .318 hitting percentage. Kainoa Ocasek led Word of Life with 10 kills and hit .474, and Kaena Kaina had eight kills and hit .385. Fetu added four kills.

Word of Life also outblocked 'Iolani 8 to 4.

"She's the captain, the leader and she's basically in control and is the quarterback of the team when they're on the court," Word of Life coach LeeAnn Satele said.

"She's also a very good hitter, so when we need her power hitting, we put her outside."

Set 1 went back and forth with both teams trading the lead. Kaina's kill and an ace by Miyashiro gave the Firebrands the set.

Word of Life led 23-17 in Set 2 and was on the verge of victory, but the Raiders scored five straight to close to 23-22.

During a late timeout, the Word of Life coaches rallied the team.

"The coaches brought to our attention we do have it in us," Fetu said. "Just because we gave up a couple points, we (could still) win it."

Ocasek sealed the win with a kill, block and another kill.

"Everybody snapped out of that (mentality) and brought our game," Fetu said.

Though her team has skilled players, Satele said many of them are young and relatively new to varsity competition. She said Fetu has helped bring those younger players along.

"For me, it's really exciting to be a leader," Fetu said. "A lot of people are looking up to you to lead them."

"I have to be the example. Sometimes there's too much pressure but I love the pressure. It pushes me to do my best so when they're seniors, they'll do their best and lead by the best example possible."