[sixcol_five_last]
By Niko Bulaon

Guam High Panthers blockers Catherine Fuller and Ha’ane Limtiaco get the save as they defend their side of the net by blocking a hard hit from Southern Dolphins’ April Talledo. (photo by Asha Robles)
It was the night of new beginnings: the girls’ high school volleyball season has finally begun with each school looking to start the season right. The defending champions, Southern Dolphins, were put to the test as they defeated the Guam High Panthers in three heart-thumping sets, 23-25, 26-24, 25-21.
The second set determined it all for the Dolphins in tonight’s game: stay and keep playing or go home with a loss. With one set on their side, the Panthers started the second with two amazing saves by Kayla Blend. Multiple errors from both sides had the score changing until the Panthers finally found a rhythm.
Behind Tiffani Unsiog and Alexis McGuire, the Panthers looked to have the game in their hands. But for the Dolphins, it wasn’t over yet: April Talledo started a Dolphins’ run with two kills and an ace. A Panther error would tie the game at 17-17. As the Dolphins approached the score of 23-21, Ha’ani Limtiaco kept the Panthers in the game, tying the score at 24-24 with a kill, but unforced errors lead the Dolphins to a second set win.
“Just staying together, playing with all our heart,” said Talledo about coming back from a first set loss. “Believing in our self that we could do it.”

Ha’ane Limtiaco from the Guam High Panthers gets the hit as a Southern Dolphin tries to make a block. (photo by Asha Robles)
The first set started in the favor of the Panthers with back-to-back kills from Limtiaco and back-to-back aces from Unsiog. As the Dolphins struggled after a couple of miscommunications, the Panthers took advantage and threw any kill and ace they could. But it didn’t get any easier as several mistakes from both teams kept the score close.
As the Panthers led the first set at 17-15, two aces from Talledo tied the game. But the Panthers looked to make a statement; kills by Blend and Unsiog kept their team in the lead by four. With the first set in favor for the Panthers, the Dolphins fought back with a kill from Sakaba. However, it was answered back by Blend, ending the first set on a high note.
Panthers Catherine Fuller started the third set on the side of her team with an amazing block. But it wasn’t long till the Dolphins started a run to take the lead by four. But multiple errors brought the Panthers within range of taking the lead. A kill by Unsiog had the Panthers leading once again, but Sakaba would soon cut it short, taking the lead 20-19.
As the score came closer to determine who’s first win it would be, the Dolphins and Panthers started to make errors, until a kill from Sakaba and two aces from Talledo would end the third set and give the win to the this year’s defending champions.
“I really can’t tell what we will happen,” Talledo commented about how the defending champions will do in the season. “Whatever happens, happens.”
OTHER SCORES:
Okkodo def. St. John’s 24-26, 25-17, 25-20
Sanchez def. Harvest 25-10, 25-20
JFK def. St. Paul 25-16, 21-25, 25-8
GW def. Notre Dame 25-20, 25-22: Geana Leon Guerrero lead the Geckos with 8 aces, 2 kills and 25 digs. Samantha Quinata added 8 blocks and 2 kills, while Marica Mariano helped the Gecko cause with 4 kills and 12 digs.
BYE: ACADEMY
JUNIOR VARSITY SCORES
Okkodo def. St. John’s 14-25, 25-22, 25-22
Sanchez def. Harvest 25-15, 25-13
GW def. Notre Dame 25-22, 25-18
Guam High def. Southern
JFK def. St. Paul 25-13, 25-17
St. Thomas vs. GAA
PHOTO GALLERY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:
[fbshare url=”http://www.gspnlive.com/volleyball/dolphins-open-defense-of-title/” type=”button”] [fblike url=”http://www.gspnlive.com/volleyball/dolphins-open-defense-of-title/” style=”standard” showfaces=”false” width=”450″ verb=”like” font=”arial”]
[/sixcol_five_last]


GPS Sports Calendar
July 2025
- SU
- MO
- TU
- WE
- TH
- FR
- SA
Events for June
1st
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
2025 PACIFIC MINI GAMES
Events for July
2nd
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
2025 PACIFIC MINI GAMES
Events for July
3rd
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
2025 PACIFIC MINI GAMES
Events for July
4th
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
2025 PACIFIC MINI GAMES
Events for July
5th
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
2025 PACIFIC MINI GAMES
Events for July
6th
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
2025 PACIFIC MINI GAMES
Events for July
7th
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
2025 PACIFIC MINI GAMES
Events for July
8th
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
2025 PACIFIC MINI GAMES
Events for July
9th
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
2025 PACIFIC MINI GAMES
Events for July
10th
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
Events for July
11th
- 13
- 14
- 15
- 16
- 17
- 18
- 19
Events for July
12th
Events for July
13th
Events for July
14th
Events for July
15th
Events for July
16th
Events for July
17th
Events for July
18th
- 20
- 21
- 22
- 23
- 24
- 25
- 26
Events for July
19th
Events for July
20th
Events for July
21st
Events for July
22nd
Events for July
23rd
Events for July
24th
Events for July
25th
- 27
- 28
- 29
- 30
- 31
- 1
- 2
Events for July
26th
Events for July
27th
Events for July
28th
Events for July
29th
Events for July
30th

Pacific Mini Games
BASEBALL ADVANCES TO GOLD MEDAL GAME

Pacific Mini Games
KENT GETS GOLD IN 10K, AS EXPECTED

Pacific Mini Games
PMG DAY 4: BASEBALL DOWNS PALAU IN FRONT OF PACKED CROWD

Pacific Mini Games
PMG DAY 2: GUAM STILL SEARCHES FOR FIRST MEDAL

Basketball
RECAP OF FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL WEEKEND

Pacific Mini Games
WATER SPORTS KICKS THINGS OFF IN DAY 1

Jiu-Jitsu
CRUZ BROS. CRUISE THROUGH STATESIDE COMP
COMING SOON …
FD Alumni Basketball Tournament June 27-July 18
Pacific Mini Games June 29-July 9
QUICK HITS