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By Robert Balajadia
The Academy Cougars spoiled senior night for the Okkodo Bulldogs Tuesday evening, winning in two set fashion 25-14, 25-20 during their first meeting in the 2015 season.
It was a busy work day in the back row for Cougar libero Devan San Nicolas, who the Bulldogs repeatedly went after in both sets. San Nicolas didn’t give the Bulldogs much offensive leverage after working the ball to her All-Island setter Mya Sanchez, who set up the Cougars dangerous hitters.
“I felt they underestimated our team a little since they took GW to three sets and we lost to the Geckos in two, but we believed in our hard work and we executed it through the entire game,” said San Nicolas on the high productivity.
After winning the first set convincingly with strong play from Joie Blas and Renee Finona, Academy made their rotations in the second set. Blas and Finona registered three kills each in the opening set.
In the rotation was Cougar sophomore spark plug Lauren Hoebing, who registered four kills in closing set to fend off the fighting Bulldogs.
Hoebing stretched out her first kill within the first five points, and then one later in the set to give the Cougars a 13-11 lead. The kill ended a 5-1 run by the Bulldogs, giving Academy back momentum.
“Someone on the team has to take a stand and provide a spark and I feel it’s my responsibility to sometimes pick the team back up when we’re down,” said Hoebing on how she plays her role.
She was then given a perfect pass on the outside from Sanchez to attack the back row of the Bulldogs for a 16-13 lead.
Blas then checked back into game where she hammered away two free balls off a volley to take a 21-16 advantage. Determined to please their home fans, the Bulldogs shaved off two quick points after the Cougars overshot their kill attempts to get within 21-18, along with a kill from middle blocker Sirena Cepeda.
A big block by middle blocker Cassandra Chang ignited the Cougar crowd to a 23-18 lead, setting up Hoebing for the final say two points later. Hoebing took a pass from Sanchez through the middle and found a empty spot in the Bulldog defense for the match point kill.

Wendy’s Players of the Game, Lauren Hoebing (left) and Devan San Nicolas (right). (photo by Daniel Paran)
With Sanchez controlling all the air traffic, the Cougars hitters have benefited greatly. Hoebing’s big hits are a product of personal skill and craft, but she didn’t hold back on boasting about her setter Sanchez.
“It’s awesome having a setter like her, she’s the best setter out there. She does so much to help us out on the floor,” said Hoebing.
Academy played a clean set committing less than two errors in the first set, but coughed up five in the second, along with three service errors. Polishing up the errors is a job San Nicolas says that the Cougars work tirelessly at and coming together in the second set was a product of their commitment level.
“We’re all about staying focused and keeping each other motivated to keep our energy level up. We believe in being one team and we always aim to help each other on the court,” San Nicolas added.
Other Scores
ND def. St. Paul 25-18, 25-21
Sanchez def. Guam High in two sets
PHOTO GALLERY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

Jachelle Saludo knocks the ball over early to catch the Cougars’ defense off guard. (photo by Daniel Paran)

The Bulldogs’ Caren Mesias spikes the ball, but gets blocked by Cassandra Chang of the Cougars. (photo by Daniel Paran)


GPS Sports Calendar
March 2023
- SU
- MO
- TU
- WE
- TH
- FR
- SA
Events for February
28th
Events for March
2nd
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL FINALS
Events for March
3rd
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
ISA GIRLS SOCCER FINALS
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL FINALS
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL FINALS
Events for March
4th
35th RAINBOWS FOR ALL CHILDREN 3.5 MILER
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE FINALS
Events for March
5th
MONSTER ENERGY MOTOCROSS ROUND 3
Events for March
5th
Events for March
6th
Events for March
7th
Events for March
9th
Events for March
11th
GSPN PRESEASON BOYS VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT DAY 1
Bank of Guam Block Party 5K
Events for March
12th
Events for March
13th
Events for March
14th
Events for March
15th
Events for March
17th
World Athletics Indoor Championships
IIAAG BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Events for March
18th
PAY-LESS KICK THE FAT 5K/10K
World Athletics Indoor Championships
Events for March
19th
Events for March
21st
Events for March
25th
MARIANAS OPEN PRO JAPAN TOURNAMENT
IIAAG BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Events for March
26th
MONSTER ENERGY MOTOCROSS ROUND 4
Events for March
28th
ISA GIRLS SOFTBALL
IIAAG BOYS VOLLEYBALL
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Events for March
30th
ISA GIRLS SOFTBALL
IIAAG GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Events for March
31st
IIAAG BOYS VOLLEYBALL
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

MMA/Boxing
BENAVENTE BRINGS RARE SKILL TO FIGHT GAME

Running/Track
SPECIAL OLYMPICS TRACK EVENT ON APR 1

Volleyball
EAGLES HOLD OFF WARRIORS IN 5 SETS

Jiu-Jitsu
MARIANAS OPEN TO TAKE OVER TOKYO

MMA/Boxing
BENAVENTE BRINGS RARE SKILL TO FIGHT GAME

Volleyball
EAGLES HOLD OFF WARRIORS IN 5 SETS
COMING SOON …
- 4th Quarter Sports
QUICK HITS
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Guam MTB National Championship: Edward Oingerang and Jennifer Camacho are your 2023 MTB national champions. Oingerang finished the course in 1:13:24 while Camacho won her second straight title in 54:08.