Volleyball

ANGELS DUO ARE KINGS OF THE BEACH

GAA’s Keith and Sgambelluri take All-Island title, FD Friars win team championship

by
GSPN
March 4, 2024

By Carmen Gogue

The IIAAG All-Island Beach Volleyball tournament came to a close for the boys division with GAA Angels pair Jack Keith and Kana Sgambelluri beating St. John’s Knights Raito Atsuta and Christian Shinohara in three sets 21-4, 18-21, 15-12 at the Jimmy Dees sand courts Monday afternoon.

Keith and Sgambelluri powered through in the first set putting on a show for the many fans watching on the Tamuning beach. They exhibited on point passing, setting each other up for pristine kills, and acing their serves easily securing the first set 21-4.

Though withstanding a towering Sgambelluri and the strong defense of Keith in the first set, the Knights worked well together in a smooth fashion.

The St. Johns duo displayed their fighting spirit with top notch defense, Atsuta’s kill spree and Shinohara’s big blocks to come back in the second set 21-18.

In the final set, Sgambelluri and Keith led early for a 3-0 run until a kill from Atsuta to give the Knights one point. Although a service error hit the Knights, Shinohara soared for a massive block against Sgambelluri.

Following that block Sgambelluri began to play smart at the net with roll shots and dinks to maintain the lead for GAA. Atsuta hit two back-to-back kills to tie up the last set at 9-9 but Sgambelluri and Keith played smart volleyball catching the Knights defense with short falling kills to end the match in their favor.