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By Niko Bulaon
The IIAAG girls’ volleyball league semi-finals took off Tuesday night at the JFK gym. The Southern Dolphins took another step forward into the playoffs, defeating the Sanchez Sharks in two hard-fought sets, 25-21, 25-23, aiming for a back-to-back title.
Game jitters were the problem for both Dolphins and Sharks; error after error kept the score tight with neither team breaking away. But two aces by Tanya Flores pushed Southern forward, taking the lead from their opponents. With Southern taking off, the Sharks were found in a slump. Three aces and a kill by Tianna Sakaba kept the Dolphins up by eight, 18-10.
Sharks’ Kristin Artero kept her team in the game, but a kill by April Talledo and three back-to-back aces by Brittany Quinata put Southern three points away from the first set win, 22-14. A kill by Sharks’ Shaniah Aguon stunned her opponents and gave hope to her team for a comeback. An unfortunate serving error put Southern only a point away and a quick tip by Flores gave Southern the first set advantage.

Sharks Kiarra Rojas spikes a ball over the out streatched arms of Dolphins Tianna Sakaba. (Photo by Jose Perez)
Wanting to step up their game, Sanchez started the second set strong; a kill by Zhanissa Mendiola and an ace by Aguon put up 3-0, but another error by the Sharks put Southern in the game. Multiple errors by both teams had the lead changing, but a huge block by Artero gave her team the boost they needed. Sharks Kiarra Rojas stepped up with two kills and a block to bring her team up by eight, 19-11.
Untimely errors by Sanchez and two kills by Quinata cut the lead to four. But Mendiola’s kill and ace brought the Sanchez lead back to eight. Another mistake from the Sharks and four back-to-back aces by Lorraina Sanchez put Southern right behind their opponents, 22-21. A kill from Aguon gave the Sharks a little breather but Sanchez’s errors were the downfall, breaking their lead and giving Southern the win.
“I’m just really proud of my team,” stated Sakaba, “We played as hard as we could. All I could say is that we played with all our hearts.”
Last season, the Dolphins were ranked third in the Gadao Division, only to surprise every team in the playoffs by upsetting the St. John’s Knights, defeating the JFK Islanders, and battling it out against the GW Geckos to eventually take home the championship trophy. With the Southern Dolphins preparing to play in the most important game of the season, Sakaba said, “We’ll practice hard as always. Our two coaches really help us out. All we have to do is play hard, stay humble, and play our game.”
Sakaba led her team with two kills and four aces with the help of teammate Talledo with three kills. Despite the loss, Rojas blasted four kills and a block.
Other Game:
Cougars def. Knights 25-13, 25-19
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GPS Sports Calendar
December 2023
- SU
- MO
- TU
- WE
- TH
- FR
- SA
Events for November
1st
ISA BOYS SOCCER
IIAAG GIRLS BASKETBALL
ISA GIRLS BASKETBALL
Events for December
2nd
IRON LEGENDS THROWDOWN
ISA HS BASEBALL
HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING
Events for December
4th
IIAAG BOYS SOCCER
ISA BOYS SOCCER
ISA GIRLS BASKETBALL
Events for December
5th
ISA HS BASEBALL
ISA GIRLS BASKETBALL
IIAAG GIRLS BASKETBALL QUARTERFINALS
Events for December
5th
Events for December
7th
ISA HS BASEBALL
IIAAG BOYS SOCCER PLAYOFFS
Events for December
9th
40th GRC PLUMERIA ROAD RACE
GUAM RUGBY INTERNATIONAL 7s TOURNAMENT
ISA HS BASEBALL
HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING
IIAAG GIRLS BASKETBALL SEMIFINALS
Events for December
10th
TOUR OF GUAM 2023
GUAM RUGBY INTERNATIONAL 7s TOURNAMENT
Events for December
11th
ISA HS BASEBALL
IIAAG BOYS SOCCER SEMIFINALS
Events for December
12th
ISA HS BASEBALL
ISA GIRLS BASKETBALL
Events for December
12th
Events for December
14th
ISA HS BASEBALL
IIAAG BOYS SOCCER FINALS
Events for December
15th
ISA GIRLS BASKETBALL
IIAAG GIRLS BASKETBALL FINALS
Events for December
16th
3rd GUAM NINJA CHAMPIONSHIP
ISA HS BASEBALL
HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING
Events for December
16th
Events for December
18th
IIAAG BOYS SOCCER ALL-ISLAND MEETING
Events for December
19th
ISA HS BASEBALL
ISA GIRLS BASKETBALL
Events for December
19th
Events for December
23rd
HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING
ISA HS BASEBALL FINALS
Events for December
23rd
Events for December
24th
Events for December
25th
Events for December
27th
Events for December
29th
- 31
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
Events for December
30th

Baseball
ROYALS DOWN FRIARS IN STATEMENT GAME

Baseball
GUAM HOSTS KIWIS IN U15 BASEBALL

Baseball
ROYALS DOWN FRIARS IN STATEMENT GAME

Basketball
3×3 HOOPS REPEAT AS GOLDEN BOYS

Basketball
RAPADAS LEADS WILD COUGAR COMEBACK
COMING SOON …
- IIAAG Girls Basketball Playoffs
- True Grit Rugby Tournament
- IIAAG Boys Soccer Playoffs