
By Robert Balajadia
The JFK Islanders improved to 6-3 on the season by defeating the Southern Dolphins in straight sets 25-13, 25-23, 25-20 in an ISA Monday evening showdown at the Islanders gym. Southern falls to 2-7 on the season after the loss.
Led by sophomore setter Philicita Rivera, JFK used just enough offense to overcome an error filled contest to avenge an earlier season loss to Southern. The first time these teams met, Southern had swept JFK in sets which made Monday’s victory a little sweeter for the Islanders.
Rivera was able to catch the Dolphins off-guard on three different occasions for setter dumps for three kills of her own, but she was also able to get five different hitters in on scoring for the night for a balanced JFK attack.
“I wanted all of my girls to get as many hits as possible because I know they’re all really good,” said Rivera on her approach to working the ball around.
JFK’s Alessandra Pagdilao led all Islanders with five kills while Maria Calvo and Tommie-lyn Santos had four kills each. Calvo was also big at the service line scoring four aces on the night.
The Islanders cruised to an opening set victory, but Southern showed resolve in the 2nd set where they were threatening a comeback after a strong of JFK hitting errors, setting up a 24-23 situation. The 2nd set would land in favor of the Islanders with Southern faulting on a hitting error at the net.
The Dolphins took their first lead of the game 16-15 in the 3rd set. JFK regrouped and retook the lead after back-to-back aces from libero Lyca Alves which was part of a 3-0 run to get up 20-17. Kills from Santos and Gabby Fernandez gave the Islanders momentum while Calvo ended the evening from the service line with an ace 25-20.
“It was all about keeping our composure,” said Rivera on what the key point was in closing out the set after trailing for the first time. “We had to have a strong mindset in order to finish out that set.”
Rivera appeared to be tweak her ankle late in the 3rd, but still powered through to deliver clean sets on all three of the Islanders final kills to win the game.
JFK will travel to face GW next Monday as the season comes to it’s final two weeks of play. Southern will travel further up North to face the Sanchez Sharks next week Monday as well.
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GPS Sports Calendar
May 2023
- SU
- MO
- TU
- WE
- TH
- FR
- SA
Events for April
1st
IIAAG GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Events for May
2nd
ISA GIRLS SOFTBALL
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Events for May
2nd
Events for May
4th
ISA GIRLS SOFTBALL
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Events for May
5th
IIAAG GIRLS SOCCER QUARTERFINALS
IIAAG BOYS VOLLEYBALL QUARTERFINALS
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL
Events for May
6th
ISA GIRLS SOFTBALL
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL
UOG BASEBALL CLASSIC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
WOMEN’S FLAG FOOTBALL SEMIFINALS
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL
Events for May
7th
MONSTER ENERGY MOTOCROSS ROUND 5
Events for May
8th
IIAAG GIRLS SOCCER SEMIFINALS
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL
TRITON MEN’S BASKETBALL LEAGUE
Events for May
9th
ISA GIRLS SOFTBALL SEMIFINALS
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL ALL-STAR MEETING
IIAAG BOYS VOLLEYBALL SEMIFINALS
Events for May
9th
Events for May
12th
IIAAG GIRLS SOCCER FINALS
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL
Events for May
13th
HIGH SCHOOL PADDLING FINALS
ISA GIRLS SOFTBALL FINALS
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL FINALS
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL
Events for May
13th
Events for May
21st
MONSTER ENERGY MOTOCROSS ROUND 8
Events for May
21st
Events for May
22nd
Events for May
23rd
Events for May
24th
- 28
- 29
- 30
- 31
- 1
- 2
- 3
Events for May
28th
MONSTER ENERGY MOTOCROSS ROUND 6
Events for May
28th
Events for May
29th
Events for May
30th

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