
By Michael J.A. Nauta Jr.
While most teams have already gotten in a game or two in the IIAAG High School Boys Volleyball League, the Guam High Panthers kicked-off their season on Monday evening.
The Panthers played host to the visiting Father Duenas Friars. FD entered the game hoping to pick up a victory and remain unbeaten early in the season, while the Panthers were seeking a season-opening win.At the end of the night, things went in favor of the visitors who defeated the Panthers in straight-set (25-19, 25-22) fashion.
A quick an early start by the Panthers gave them a 1-0 lead after a service ace by Leon Bamba. However, on the very next play an error by Guam High equalized the game. Both teams eventually engaged in a teeter-totter match and began to trade points courtesy of numerous unforced errors. After knotting the games on six different occasions early in the set, the Panthers went on a mini rally capped by a kill from Hunter Yatar giving them a 14-12 lead.
Not willing to fall into a deeper deficit, the Friars got themselves right back into the game several plays later and tied the game at 18-18. The duo of Leon Shimizu and De’Aundre Cruz led the Friars scoring points on four kills and two blocks combined. Momentum continued to shift as the Friars eventually closed out the opening set after going on a 7-1 rally. The Friars Reynold “RJ” Rokop racked up three aces from the service line.
Second set action was much different from the first as the Friars looked to be in a comfort zone. Combined with several Panther errors, Father Duenas began the set building an 8-3 lead. Shimizu and teammate Kole Ada combined for four kills early on. Midway through the set, Guam High pulled to within three (15-12) points. However, defensive blocks at the net by Cruz ignited the Friars offense that rebuilt a 21-13 lead.
After returning from a timeout called, the Panthers seemed rejuvenated and kept the home crowd at the edge of their seats. A thunderous kill by Kurt Edusada followed by an ace from Yatar ignited a fire in the Panthers offense as they narrowed their gap to 21-19. Moments later, the Friars put themselves at match point after back-to-back kills by Cruz and Shimizu.
Guam High put a brief halt and added two points to their side of the board making it a 24-22 game. Denying a chance of going into a third set, the Friars’ Cruz closed out the game with a kill.
The Friars were led by the trio of Rokop, Shimizu, and Cruz. Rokop was credited with 11 assists and serving up eight aces. Meanwhile, Shmizu and Cruz combined for ten kills in the game. Guam High’s Bamba and Yatar combined for five aces and three kills in the losing effort.
With the victory, the Friars improve their season record to 2-0, while the Panthers start their season 0-1. The Friars return to action Tuesday night as they take on the Tiyan Titans at FD. Guam High will host the St. Thomas Lions in a Junior Varsity only match.
In JV action, the Friars defeated the Panthers in an exciting three-set game. The only other game of the night featured the Notre Dame Royals hosting the GW Geckos. GW picked up the varsity victory in straight sets.
PHOTO GALLERY:


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
26th
MONSTER ENERGY MOTOCROSS ROUND 4
Events for March
28th
ISA GIRLS SOFTBALL
IIAAG BOYS VOLLEYBALL
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Events for March
28th
Events for March
30th
ISA GIRLS SOFTBALL
IIAAG GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Events for March
31st
IIAAG BOYS VOLLEYBALL
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

Volleyball
VOLLEYBALL KICKS OFF BUSY 4TH QUARTER SPORTS

Volleyball
VOLLEYBALL KICKS OFF BUSY 4TH QUARTER SPORTS
COMING SOON …
- 4th Quarter Sports
QUICK HITS
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.
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Kobe Miyashita, with St. John’s coach Arvin Flores, was named the 2023 IIAAG Middle School Boys Volleyball MVP!