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By Niko Bulaon

Academy middle blocker Erin Wong (33) was instrumental in controlling the net in the Cougars big win. (photo by Andre Gadia)
In only their second game of the IIAAG Girls Volleyball League season, the Academy Cougars have proved to be a strong, committed team.
Friday night, the Cougars took down one of their long-time rival GW Geckos in two sets, 25-20, 25-17, proving to be one of the best teams to reckon with.
The first set started in the hands of the Cougars. Three aces from Mika Jakl and kills from Gemilie Ilao and Ladera Linn gave the Cougars a 7-0 lead, but an unforced error from the Cougars got their opponents going with five straight points.
Academy stayed focus to start yet another run behind middle-blocker Erin Wong. Communication kept the Cougars in the lead through the first set, but the Geckos fought back to stay in the game; Samantha Quinata challenged Wong with an amazing block and a couple of kills to add points on the board, cutting the lead to only four points. But a Geckos error stopped the small run, giving the Cougars a first set advantage.
“We communicated,” commented Wong on their two-set victory. “We had ball control and finished our plays.”
In an effort to force a third set, the Geckos started the second set with motivation as they fought to a 6-6 tie. Multiple kills and unforced errors from both teams had the lead changing until an ace from Ilao got the Cougars running. Wong kills and blocks kept the Geckos behind as Academy pulled out to a 16-8 lead, but Quinata and teammate Maricia Mariano didn’t make it easy. Fighting to keep the game going, the Geckos managed to have the Cougars commit mistakes, cutting the lead to four.
A timeout was all the Cougars needed to get their rhythm back. Wong and Linn teamed up to bring their lead back up to eight, 22-14. Great saves by the Geckos had their opponents on their feet, but it was an incredible save by Cougars Celeste Guarin that ended the game with stunned faces.
Being this year’s Shieh Pre-Season Tournament champions and with two wins under their belt, the Cougars plan to get back into the finals. A year ago, the Cougars had the best regular-season record, only to lose to the JFK Islanders in the quarterfinals in possibly the biggest upset in girls volleyball history.
“I think we can always do better,” said the senior Wong. “We’re going to practice and improve and hopefully get the IIAAG championship.”
Sanchez def. Okkodo 25-15, 25-14 (SS: Kristen Artero 5 kills, 4 aces)
St. John’s def. St. Paul 25-15, 25-17 (St. John’s 2nd straight win)
JFK def. Harvest 26-24, 25-19
Junior Varsity
Sanchez def. Okkodo 18-25, 25-11, 25-17
St. John’s def. St. Paul 25-10, 27-25
BYE: Guam High
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GPS Sports Calendar
July 2025
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- FR
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Events for June
1st
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
2025 PACIFIC MINI GAMES
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2nd
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
2025 PACIFIC MINI GAMES
Events for July
3rd
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
2025 PACIFIC MINI GAMES
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4th
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
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2025 PACIFIC MINI GAMES
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5th
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
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2025 PACIFIC MINI GAMES
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6th
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
2025 PACIFIC MINI GAMES
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FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
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8th
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
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FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
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2025 PACIFIC MINI GAMES
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10th
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
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18th
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25th
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Events for July
26th
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27th
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28th
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29th
Events for July
30th

Wrestling
SUSAKI SHARES OLYMPIC GOLD KNOWLEDGE

Pacific Mini Games
PACIFIC MINI GAMES COMES TO A CLOSE

Pacific Mini Games
KENT WINS 2ND GOLD OF MINI GAMES

Weightlifting
OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST TO SHARE WRESTLING KNOWLEDGE

Pacific Mini Games
SOFTBALL COMES UP BIG OVER PALAU 11-4

Pacific Mini Games
BADEN WINS GOLD #3 FOR GUAM IN 5K

Pacific Mini Games
BASEBALL ADVANCES TO GOLD MEDAL GAME

Volleyball
GUAHAN BOYS WIN NATIONAL CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP
COMING SOON …
FD Alumni Basketball Tournament Playoffs