By Kolby Chang

The defending champion AOLG Cougars got a stern early season test from the Southern Dolphins but came out with the 25-20, 21-25, 25-17 win in the IIAAG Girls Volleyball League at the Southern gym on Friday night. The Cougars easily defeated the Dolphins in last year’s title game and even though both teams are fielding vastly different rosters from last year, the game was still competitive from the start. With the win the Cougars improved their record to 4-1, while the Dolphins fell to 3-2.

Tied at 6-all in the third set following a big kill from Kyra Lee the Cougars got some momentum on their side and went up 8-6 after Dawn Maiko’s ace. The Cougars kept their foot on the gas pedal and built a 18-13 lead after an error by the Dolphins. The Dolphins cut the lead to 19-14 later in the set after a kill from April Talledo.

Academy’s Mya Sanchez attempts to save the ball after a double-block setup by the Dolphins during the championship rematch Friday at the Southern High Gym in Santa Rita. (photo by Kyle Twardowski)

An error by the Cougars got the Dolphin faithful cheering for more but Juliana Nelson’s kill extended the visitors lead to 21-16. Ha’ani San Nicolas crushed down a kill to make it 23-16 and an error by the Dolphins had the Cougars on the brink of victory. A Cougars’ error was merely a bump in the road as for the champs as they sealed the game after a Dolphins’ error.

After dropping the first set, the home team rallied and knotted the game at one set apiece. The Dolphins trailed early in the second set 5-0 but fought back and tied the set at 15. Consecutive aces from Zoe Surber ace put the Dolphins up 23-20 and an error from the Cougars put it at set point. Lee threw down a kill to momentarily halt the Dolphins’ rally but Talledo tipped the ball past the defense to win the set for the home team.

The Cougars are the defending champions while the Dolphins are just two years removed from winning their first title under then-19-year-old first-year coach Jaret Sanchez.

It was a tough week for Academy as it dropped its first game to Notre Dame on Saturday, rebounded nicely with a crazy two-setter against the always-tough Geckos on Tuesday before the three-set affair on Friday.

Other Game

GW def. Notre Dame 25-23, 23-25, 25-15

Junior Varsity

GW def. Notre Dame 25-23, 25-16
Academy def. Southern 25-22, 25-27, 25-16
St. Thomas def. Guam High in 25-21, 25-12

PHOTO GALLERY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

Darianna Lujan of the Southern Dolphins prepares to send a spike through the block of Cyndi Scott Friday at the Southern High Gym in Santa Rita. (photo by Kyle Twardowski)

Academy’s Kyra Lee get her hand in the way of a spike Friday night in a championship rematch down south. (photo by Kyle Twardowski)

Scott soars a spike around the Dolphins block. (photo by Kyle Twardowski)

Kya Lee (L) and Marlisah Tenorio battle at the net. (photo by Kyle Twardowski)

Brittany Quinata sends a long-range spike over the net. (photo by Kyle Twardowski)

Southern’s Marlisah Tenorio gets in front of a spike sent from Cyndi Scott. (photo by Kyle Twardowski)

Darianna Lujan skies high in the middle for the Dolphins. (photo by Kyle Twardowski)

April Talledo is challenged at the net with this tip attempt.(photo by Kyle Twardowski)