BULLDOGS CRUISE PAST WARRIORS

By Kolby Chang

The Okkodo Bulldogs cruised to a 25-16, 25-20 win over the St. Paul Warriors in the IIAAG Boys’ Volleyball League on Wednesday night at the Okkodo gym. The Bulldogs improved their record to 2-0, while the Warriors drop to 1-2.

Team captain Arvi Santos was pleased that his team has opened the season with consecutive wins. “We’re still working on our game and we need to work harder in practice to prepare ourselves for the rest of the season,” Santos said.

St Paul Brian Tsuji returns a serve from the Bulldogs. (photo by Joey Blas)

Santos, a setter, added that the hitting is there but the team needs to sharpen up their passing in order to get the next level and open up the offense.

“We need to hit more consistently, our passes need to be more consistent and we need to work faster as a team,” Santos said.

In the second set, the Bulldogs got off to a hot start and built a big 13-3 lead after an error committed by the visitors. The Warriors called for time and started to get into a rhythm after the huddle thanks to a tip and a block by JT Jackson. The Bulldogs’ Aiden Ferrera responded with a thunderous kill after he received a nice set from Santos.

Several errors by the Bulldogs allowed the Warriors to remain in the game and slowly chip away at the lead. An ace from Vyrone Escalona put the Bulldogs up by ten points again but back-to-back errors by Okkodo made the score 18-10. A few plays later, the Warriors’ Brian Tsuji tipped the ball past the Okkodo defense and two more errors by the Bulldogs made the score 20-13.

The Warriors’ John San Andres hammered down a strong kill to get the team within six points of the lead and the Bulldogs were almost sent reeling after they committed another pair of errors on the next two plays to make it 21-17. An error by the Warriors swung the momentum back over to the Bulldogs and the home team just had to hang on for a few more plays in order to get the win.

The Bulldogs’ Breinard Cristobal put the game at match point after he snuck the ball through the Warrior defense with a tip. The Bulldogs committed a hitting error on the next play but the Warriors could not capitalize and an error on the visitor’s part ended the contest.

PHOTO GALLERY:

Okkodo Tristin Gonzales goes up for the jump serve against St Paul. (photo by Joey Blas)

Okkodo Aiden Ferrera drills the ball down the sideline to win the match. (photo by Joey Blas)

St Paul Josh Orario smashes the ball past a couple of Okkodo defenders. (photo by Joey Blas)

St Paul Josh Orario spikes the ball past a defender for the kill. (photo by Joey Blas)

Okkodo Aiden Ferrera goes up and drills the ball past Warriors defense. (photo by Joey Blas)

Okkodo Jeddou Antonio was able to get the ball through teo defenders for the kill. (photo by Joey Blas)

Jason Palik sets the ball up for one of the outside hitters. (photo by Joey Blas)