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By Niko Bulaon

Sanchez’s Kiarra Rojas rises high for a kill down the middle. The Sharks have the best record in the league at 5-0. (photo by Asha Robles)

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.

McDonald’s Player of the Game: Kristin Artero

“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

PHOTO GALLERY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

Islander Savannah Mafnas winds up for a kill against the Sharks defense. (photo by Asha Robles)

Shark Zhanissa Mendiola attacks from the back court. (photo by Asha Robles)

Kristin Sapp of JFK digs a hard spike. (photo by Asha Robles)

Sanchez’s Shaniah Aguon controls her pass on defense. (photo by Asha Robles)

JFK’s Kalei Pereda serves it up to the Sharks. (photo by Asha Robles)

Kiarra Rojas of Sanchez gets up high as she tips the ball over the net. (photo by Asha Robles)

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