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By Niko Bulaon
It was an early-season battle for the top spot in the Taga Division as the top-ranked Sanchez Sharks defeated the second-ranked JFK Islanders in two sets, 25-19, 25-9, Saturday night at the John F. Kennedy gym.
The first set was anyone’s game, as the Sharks and the Islanders fought for the lead, tying at 7-7. An Islanders error got their opponents finding their rhythm: Kiarra Rojas and Kristin Artero kept the Sharks on top. With all-star Kristin Sapp on their side, the Islanders kept their pace behind the Sharks, keeping the score close at 12-10.
As the Islanders hoped to catch up to their opponents, Sharks Shaniah Aguon had other plans, hitting two back-to-back aces, starting a 6-1 run. Seeming Sanchez will be taking the first set, the Islanders fought back: a kill from Sapp sparked her team to push forward. An incredible assist block from Sapp and teammate Alison Bowman kept Sanchez on their feet. Behind Sapp, the Islanders broke the lead to two, 18-16. As the Sharks started to lose focus, Rojas stepped up to get her team going again: Rojas’ two kills and a huge block against Sapp stopped the Islanders small run.
As the excitement of the fans built, so did the motivation of the Sharks: an amazing far corner, one-handed save from Shaira Espino had the fans and their coach on their feet. But a block and an ace from JFK kept the Sharks careful of early celebrations. It wasn’t until an ace from Chanel Catunao gave the Sharks the first set.
“We practice with structure,” said Artero about preparing for tonight’s game. “We work as a team and strategize.”
Coming into the second, the Sharks had the upper hand, landing a quick 8-0 lead behind Artero. The Islanders finally found their focus, adding points onto the board after the Sharks made multiple mistakes. But Artero and Rojas kept their team in the lead despite a couple of errors.
The Sharks took advantage of JFK’s multiple unforced errors after losing Sapp to a minor ankle injury. The Islanders couldn’t find their rhythm as their opponents took the second set with two aces from Zhanissa Mendiola.
The Sharks stay number one in the Taga Division with a record of 5-0. “Hard work,” Artero commented when asked how her team plans to stay undefeated.
Artero led her team with four kills and two aces with the help of Rojas with three kills and two blocks.
OTHER SCORES
Academy def. Notre Dame 18-25, 26-24, 25-22
St. John’s def. Harvest 25-17, 25-21
Okkodo def. St. Paul 25-18, 25-21
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GPS Sports Calendar
March 2024
- SU
- MO
- TU
- WE
- TH
- FR
- SA
Events for February
1st
ISA SOFTBALL
IIAAG MS GIRLS SOCCER FINALS
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL QUARTERFINALS
HS RUGBY PLAYOFFS
Events for March
2nd
HS RUGBY
ISA GIRLS SOFTBALL
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL FINALS
Events for March
2nd
Events for March
4th
ISA HIGH SCHOOL TENNIS
ISA SOFTBALL ALL-ISLAND COACHES MEETING
Events for March
5th
HS RUGBY PLAYOFFS
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL SEMIFINALS
Events for March
8th
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL FINALS
ISA HIGH SCHOOL TENNIS PLAYOFFS
Events for March
9th
ISA SOFTBALL FINALS
HS RUGBY FINALS
Events for March
9th
Events for March
14th
- 17
- 18
- 19
- 20
- 21
- 22
- 23
Events for March
16th
Events for March
17th
Events for March
18th
Events for March
19th
Events for March
20th
Events for March
22nd
Events for March
24th
Events for March
25th
Events for March
27th
Events for March
28th
Events for March
29th
- 31
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
Events for March
30th
Soccer
ISLANDERS OUTSHOOT DOLPHINS
Uncategorized
4TH QUARTER SPORTS SET FOR TAKE OFF
Soccer
ISLANDERS OUTSHOOT DOLPHINS
Uncategorized
4TH QUARTER SPORTS SET FOR TAKE OFF
COMING SOON …
4th Quarter Sports
- Guam Marathon