NOV 16: ACADEMY VS. SANCHEZ VBALL SHOWDOWN

By Patrick Lujan

Who’s the best high school girls volleyball team on island? We’ll soon find out as GSPN presents the 2023 Girls Volleyball High School Champion vs. Champion Game.

Thursday, November 16 will pit the IIAAG champion Academy Cougars (also Far East champions) going up against the ISA champion Sanchez Sharks. The showdown will take place at the FD Phoenix Center and will also be broadcast live on www.guamsportsnetwork.com.

ACADEMY COUGARS

The Academy Cougars are riding high after winning the IIAAG crown and later the Far East Tournament on Oct 25.

The Cougars are led by court manager Ariana Cruz. The senior setter paved the way to the Far East title, earning the prestigious MVP award. Meanwhile, fellow junior middle blockers Mercedes Mendiola-Cruz (IIAAG MVP) and Natasha Kelly hold the fort in the middle on each rotation.

“I’m ecstatic that our players get to compete in another inter-league opportunity, build new relationships amongst the players, and just have fun. The sports continues to grow with events like this and we are happy to be along for the ride.”

The Cougars were swept in their first two games of the IIAAG season before they went on to win the rest of their games on the to the championship.

SANCHEZ SHARKS

The Sanchez Sharks had the championship on their minds since the start of the ISA season.

Behind senior middle blocker Kayna Kanemoto, the Sharks were destined for the top, and after a lone loss in the regular season, Sanchez redeemed that loss in the title game against the Okkodo Bulldogs while Kanemoto went on to win her second straight league MVP award.

Sanchez and other ISA teams then participated in the First Smash Sparta Girls Volleyball Tournament in Manila where the Sharks took second place.

Now the Sharks look forward for the icing on the cake in the Champion V Champion clash against the Cougars.

“We’re excited and looking forward to the upcoming volleyball match with the IIAAG champs AOLG Cougars,” Sanchez head coach Rich Tumanda said. “It’s been awhile since we competed against the private schools. We believe it’s going to be a good game and it’s going to showcase how competitive both teams are.”