COUGARS CRUISE TO BACK-TO-BACK TITLES

By Shania Bulala

Academy Cougars and Harvest Eagles fans packed the UOG Calvo Field House Friday evening for a thrilling championship showdown in the IIAAG Girls Volleyball League between the top two teams in the league.

The energy was through the roof as both teams geared up for the final match of the season. For the Eagles, the stakes were particularly high as they made their first-ever appearance in a championship game in school history. On the opposite side of the net, the defending champion Cougars aimed to secure their second consecutive title, entering the match as seasoned contenders.

The Cougars dominated from start to finish, defeating the Eagles in straight sets 25-15, 25-12, 25-18, cementing their reign as back-to-back champions.

“We played to our best. We prepared mentally and physically. We wanted this win, and everyone in the stands could tell we wanted it,” said senior setter Ariana Cruz.

1st Set
The Cougars came out strong in the opening set, with hitters Landen Devera and Maria Cruz delivering powerful kills early on. Academy quickly surged ahead, building a 9-3 lead, which prompted Harvest coach Beth Ring to call an early timeout to regroup.

Cruz expertly orchestrated the Cougars’ offensive plays, consistently setting up her teammates for successful kills.

“I knew in this game I had to fill my role as a leader. I’m like the quarterback of my team, and I don’t usually use myself to score points; I prefer to set up my hitters for that and make sure I can give them the best set that they can get.”

– Academy senior setter Ariana Cruz

Cruz contributed three kills and two aces to the victory, but her true impact went far beyond what is taken down on a stat sheet. Her ability to read the defense, deliver precise sets, and keep the offense running smoothly was crucial. Cruz’s presence on the floor allowed her teammates to fulfill their roles and was a key factor in the Cougars’ championship win.

Defensively, Academy libero Alessandra Leon Guerrero anchored the team. Meanwhile, on the Eagles end, Manea Camacho worked hard both offensively as her team’s main setter and on the defensive end in the front row.

The Cougars managed to extend their lead to as much as 11 points in the opening set, closing it out decisively with a 25-15 win, with an ace from Hinnengi San Nicolas.

2nd Set
As the second set got underway, the energy from fans of both teams continued to fire up the teams. Eagles’ outside hitter Niesha Chen came out firing, delivering three consecutive kills and doing everything she could to keep her team in the game. Fans were out of their seats as each one of her kills hit the floor.

Despite Chen’s best efforts, Academy’s offense remained relentless, taking an early 10-5 lead. Back-row attacks from Maria Cruz kept the Eagles’ defense under constant pressure.
The Cougars slowly pulled away with strong serving from Madeleine Lobaton, who went on a four-serve streak, widening the gap to 19-9. The Cougars closed out the set swiftly with a 25-12 victory, inching closer to the championship title.

3rd Set
The Cougars opened the third set determined to finish strong, quickly jumping to a 5-3 lead. Setter Cruz continued to play a pivotal role, setting up her teammates effectively and keeping the Academy offense running smoothly.
The Cougars again built a comfortable nine-point lead, but the Eagles weren’t going down without a fight. Strong serving from Eagles’ Juliet Ambrose helped them narrow the gap to just five points. However, Academy capitalized on every Eagles’ mistake, extending the score to 22-16. With only three points left to claim the title, the Cougars stayed focused and sealed the final set 25-18.

Back-to-Back Champions
The Cougars’ depth and teamwork were key to their success, allowing them to dominate the court and secure their second consecutive IIAAG Girls Volleyball League title.

Players like Ariana Cruz, Mercedes Mendiola-Cruz, and Natasha Kelly, along with standout performances from across the roster, demonstrated that the Cougars built their success on teamwork. Their depth allowed them to rotate fresh legs without losing momentum, ensuring that every player contributed to the victory.

They will now swift their focus on defending their Far East crown.

3rd Place Game
In the third-place game, the St. Johns Knights defeated the Notre Dame Royals 25-20, 26-24, 23-25, 25-14.

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