COUGARS WIN FAR EAST VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT

The Academy Cougars win the 2023 Far East Girls Volleyball Tournament championship, beating the ASIJ Mustangs 25-23, 21-25, 25-15, 25-23 Wednesday night at Humphreys High School in South Korea.

Junior setter Ariana Cruz was named Tournament MVP! The Cougars finished 5-2 in pool play in 3rd place before making the championship run in the playoffs. Academy took out Seisen in three sets and Kadena in four sets to advance to the finals.

“It was an absolute whole of team effort. When one was down, others stepped up,” Cougars head coach Manny Guarin said. ” They fought through the injuries and fatigue. Came back on several occasions. In one game, we were down 11 points. Pure resilience and relentless pursuit to the end. Ari was brilliant, with uncanny pinpoint serving, and sustained our fast offensive tempo that could not be stopped. They deserved it tonight.”

It is the first time Academy has won this tournament since 2004.

Congratulations Cougars!