GUAM TAKES DOWN HOME TOWN TEAM

By Robert Balajadia

POHNPEI – Guam’s women’s volleyball team finally got a shot at the home team Pohnpei to end pool play, the heavy rain continues to push back the outside sports, and the men’s volleyball and women’s basketball team prepares to end their pool play later in the evening.

Home Team Forces Four Sets

The Guam women were pushed to their second straight 4th set game after Pohnpei dominated the 2nd set and almost took the 3rd, but Team Guam’s captain Emma Gillan-Gatewood and setter Gemma Datuin turned the tides in the final sets, including a 7-0 3rd set comeback, allowing Guam to win 25-22, 14-25, 25-21, 25-16.

Pohnpei’s Camille Benson wrecked havoc against Guam’s defense where she led the charge in the 2nd where Pohnpei dominated Guam and even late in the 3rd set where Pohnpei was on the verge of going up in sets 2-1.

Pohnpei’s Camille Benson caused a lot of problems for the Guam team leading Phonpei’s dominant 2nd set. (photo by Joy Blas)

Benson scored the teams 20th point off a kill and then the 21st point off a serve ace with the home team leading 21-18 before the coaching staff of Dan Hattig and Mike Rabago called a timeout. Gillan-Gatewood then took center stage letting loose a kill to bring Guam with in one, 21-20.

Guam’s captain then followed up with a serve-ace to tie the game forcing Pohnpei to call time.

Also rising to the occasion was Emma’s younger sister Mary Gillan who scored two straight kills off big hits to put Guam up 23-21. Middle blocker Colleen “Coco” Flores then got Guam the 24th point giving the ball a clean one-handed spanking right down the middle with Guam eventually closing out the set completing a 7-0 to close the set.

Guam’s Shanniqua Mendiola hammer gets a kill in the first set. (photo by Joey Blas)

Guam then got back to their dominant ways to getting a quick 3-0 lead off a kill from Kara Guerrero. Mary Gillan added to the total getting Guam up 12-3 after a sneaky shot from the outside. Benson had her hand in a mid-set rally as they were able to get within 16-9, but Datuin’s awareness on defense and clean setups helped neutralize Benson.

Datuin even got into the scoring action after testing the Pohnpei front line with a deceptive kill to go up 22-14 before Pohnpei’s errors cost them the match set.

Guahan Soldier co-player of the game Emma Gillan-Gatewood

Guahan Soldier co-player of the game Gemma Datuin.

End Of Pool Play

Guam’s inside sports are all officially heading into the medal rounds after Sunday action with no timetable for the outside sports as rain continues to fall over every inch of the island.

8 am – Guam Women’s volleyball vs. Pohnpei (end of pool play)

8 am – Guam Tennis medal rounds (POSTPONED)

9 am – Women’s fast pitch softball (make-up game) (POSTPONED)

9 am – Table Tennis

11 am – Men’s fast pitch softball (make-up game) (POSTPONED)

1 pm – Men’s baseball vs. Kosrae (winner advances to gold medal match) (POSTPONED)

4 pm – Women’s basketball vs. Pohnpei (end of pool play)

8 pm – Men’s volleyball (end of pool play)

PHOTO GALLERY:

Guam’s Gemma Datuin serves late in the 4th set. (photo by Joey Blas)

Team Guam’s middle blocker Kara Guerrero is met at the net by Pohnpei’s Camille Benson. (photo by Joey Blas)