
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)


GPS Sports Calendar
January 2023
- SU
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- 1
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Events for December
31st
Events for January
1st
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2nd
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3rd
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4th
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5th
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6th
- 8
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Events for January
7th
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8th
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9th
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10th
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11th
Events for January
12th
Events for January
14th
Events for January
15th
Events for January
16th
Events for January
17th
Events for January
20th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
TRITONS BASEBALL INVITATIONAL
Events for January
21st
LIFT HEAVY + LIFT FAST – BFF SERIES
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
Events for January
23rd
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
Events for January
24th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
Events for January
25th
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for January
26th
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
Events for January
27th
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
GLORIFIED SPARRING X
TRITONS BASEBALL INVITATIONAL
Events for January
28th
5K DASH FOR ASH
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
Events for January
29th
MONSTER ENERGY MOTOCROSS ROUND 1
TRITONS BASEBALL INVITATIONAL
Events for January
30th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for January
31st
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL

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Basketball
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GLORIFIED SPARRING 10 SET FOR FRIDAY NIGHT

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WARRIORS COMPLETE TRIPLE CROWN

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Basketball
TAKUMI SIMON MAKING THE BEST OF PRO LIFE
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