Connect with us

Volleyball

CRUSADERS BEAT KNIGHTS IN THREE SETS FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL TITLE

The St. Francis Crusaders wrapped up the 2021 IIAAG Girls Volleyball Season with a title winning performance over the St. John’s Knights.

By Robert Balajadia

The St. Francis Crusaders overcame some early adversity to win the 2021 IIAAG Middle School Girls Volleyball Title by defeating the St. John’s Knights in three sets 14-25, 25-18, 15-5 at the Crusaders gym Friday evening. The Crusaders cap off a historic season, winning their first volleyball title in over a decade.

St. John’s seized early momentum by taking the opening set in convincing fashion. Knights libero Saya Green would convert on back-to-back aces to put her team up comfortably 17-8 as the Knights fans cheered on their early game success.

Instead of folding under the pressure, the Crusaders found a source of motivation in-between sets which turned the game around.

“We just talked about coming back in the game hot and going in ‘beast mode’,” said team captain Landen DeVera

The Crusaders storm the court for an embrace after winning the IIAAG Middle School Volleyball Title. (photo by Robert Balajadia)

St. Francis would ride an 11-3 run midway through the set to go up 22-12, highlighted by two aces from DeVera. Serving would continue to prove fruitful for the Crusaders, an area in their game they knew was their strength, as they forced the pivotal 3rd set.

“We usually focus on our serves during practice,” said DeVera on the her team leaning on their serves.

Crusader Mea Manipol would take over early in the 3rd as she scored on a big kill followed by an ace to get her team up 6-1. The Knights would briefly respond with an ace from Kristine Deng for a short run to get within 9-5, but DeVera would get her first kill of the set to ignite a game closing 6-0 run.

Up 13-5, Crusader Elyssa Camacho delivered the finishing blows with two aces to secure the teams title. Camacho had overcome some inner adversity of her own to eventually be the one to end the game.

“In the beginning of the game I was really down because I wasn’t playing good,” admitted the 7th grader Camacho. “But I brought myself up and started to feel confident in my serves. It feels great because I’m not usually [one of] the top [players].”

For DeVera and the 8th graders, who were also celebrating ‘8th grade night’ (which is equavlent to a high school senior night), winning the title was a nice send off.

“It feels really good since it’s my last year and I’m leaving a mark of history,” said DeVera.

PHOTO GALLERY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

Ad

GPS Sports Calendar

June

July 2025

August
SU
MO
TU
WE
TH
FR
SA
29
30
1
2
3
4
5
Events for June

1st

Events for July

2nd

Events for July

3rd

Events for July

4th

Events for July

5th

6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Events for July

6th

Events for July

7th

Events for July

8th

Events for July

9th

Events for July

10th

Events for July

11th

Events for July

11th

No Events
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
Events for July

12th

No Events
Events for July

13th

No Events
Events for July

14th

No Events
Events for July

15th

No Events
Events for July

16th

No Events
Events for July

17th

No Events
Events for July

18th

No Events
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
Events for July

19th

No Events
Events for July

20th

No Events
Events for July

21st

No Events
Events for July

22nd

No Events
Events for July

23rd

No Events
Events for July

24th

No Events
Events for July

25th

No Events
27
28
29
30
31
1
2
Events for July

26th

No Events
Events for July

27th

No Events
Events for July

28th

No Events
Events for July

29th

No Events
Events for July

30th

No Events

COMING SOON …

FD Alumni Basketball Tournament June 27-July 18

Pacific Mini Games June 29-July 9

 

QUICK HITS

Guam’s Jeremiah Camacho shot a perfect game at the 48th Hong Kong Open. The 22-year-old Guam National Team Member shot his 18th career perfect game on lanes 1 and 2 at Top Bowl Lanes in Hong Kong.
————————————————–
Guam’s athletes performed well in the Spartan Race in Capas Tarlac, Philippines, picking up two division wins and two 2nd place finishes.
Belen Sidell 43 yrs (1st)
Phil Law 58 yrs (1st)
Tess Esma 48 yrs (2nd)
James Sardea 55 yrs (2nd)
Charles Esma 18 yrs (12th)

More in Volleyball