KNIGHTS TAKE NAIL BITING WIN

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By Regina Shiroma

Islanders’ Zakary Zacarias jump serves an ace in the second set. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

The St. John’s Knights came back from behind and beat the JFK Islanders in three sets, 13-25, 25-22, 25-23, handing the Islanders their first loss at the St. John’s gym Thursday night.

For the first time in the game, the Knights took the lead early in the third set after a kill from TJ Atalig put them up 10-7. JFK’s duo of twin brothers Zakary and Zhedryk Zacarias laid down kills and took back the lead, 12-10. Atalig later put down another one, the Islanders committed five consecutive errors and the Knights were back in the lead, 19-13. Zakary Zacarias would not go down without a fight, as he hit three kills in a row. The Islanders looked to make a comeback but a kill down the line by Atalig stopped their momentum. Reed Meyer finished off the game hitting the ball into the block and out of bounds.

McDonald’s player of the game: Knights’ TJ Atalig

The Islanders started the second set off strong as Zakary Zacarias served three aces and Ian Illagas slammed down a shoot, going up 5-0. Atalig ended the streak passing the serve receive and laying down a kill. Meyer would then gather up a kill and two blocks to tie up the game. Atalig would get another kill to make the score 22-20, and unfortunately for the Islanders, their three errors cost them the set.

“Coming into the second set we had to be more calm and just focus on our game and not worry too much about theirs,” said Atalig.

The Islanders dominated the first set with kills from the Zacharias twins. The Knights also dug themselves in a hole, missing most of their serves. The dynamic play of the Islanders as a whole helped them easily take the first set.

“We were frustrated because we weren’t hitting our balls right. We focused on getting better as a team, we focused on our game.”

The Knights improve to 3-1 while the Islanders drop to 3-1.

PHOTO GALLERY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

Knights’ TJ Atalig gets the kill past the block of Islanders’ ian Illagas and Kurtis Silva. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

Knights’ Daniel Del Carmen commits the unforced error resulting in a Islanders ace. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

Islanders’ Zhedryk Zacarias jumps high to spike the ball in the second set. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

Knights’ Reed Meyer slams down one of his many kills through the double block of Islanders’ ian Illagas and Kurtis Silva. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

Islanders’ Ian Illagas tips the ball over the net while Knights’ Argie Flores attempts to block. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

Islanders’ Zhedryk Zacarias spikes the ball from the back court. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

Islanders’ Kurtis Silva tips the ball quickly to catch the Knights off guard. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

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