COUGARS DOMINATE FAR EAST VOLLEYBALL

The Academy Cougars were running on all cylinders in the 2024 Far East Girls Volleyball Tournament at Camp Foster, Okinawa, capping off the three-day tournament with a 25-15, 25-13, 25-17 cruising over the host Kubasaki Dragons Wednesday night.

Academy won the tournament for a record 10th time and second in a row led by senior setter Ariana Cruz, who won tournament MVP for both 2023 and 2024 editions.

The Cougars dropped only one set in pool play, splitting sets with ASIJ on Tuesday. Other than that, it was all Academy.

Cruz paved the way throughout and orchestrated the Cougars offense in the championship game with 21 assists, naturally winning the tournament’s best setter award as well.

Her offensive weapons were on fire. Landen DeVera led the way in the title match with 10 kills and served up 16 points. Mercedes Mendiola-Cruz added six kills and Natasha Kelly contributed five kills.

It was nine straight service points to open the second set by DeVera that really put the match away.

According to long-time Far East sports reporter Dave Ornauer, Cruz may be the best setter coming out of Guam since JFK’s Jasmine James in the early 1990’s.

“You could see that Ariana is the engine,” Ornauer said.

Ornauer also mentioned that Charlene Pama was in attendance. Pama was an outside hitter for the Southern Dolphins that won the 2002 Far East Tournament.

All-Tournament Team

• Sophia Fernandez, Guam High School
• ⁠Natasha Kelly, AOLG
• ⁠Mercedes Mendiola-Cruz, AOLG
• ⁠Hinengi San Nicolas, AOLG

Defense Specialist: Alessandra Leon Guerrero, AOLG

Best Setter: Ariana Cruz, AOLG