COUGARS HOLD OFF EAGLES TO REMAIN UNBEATEN

By Shania Bulala

In a thrilling four-set showdown between the top two teams in the IIAAG Girls Volleyball League, the Academy Cougars edged out the Harvest Eagles 19-25, 25-19, 25-23, 32-30 Friday night at the Harvest gymnasium.

Mercedes Mendiola-Cruz led the Cougars with a game-high performance, 5 kills, 2 blocks, and 3 aces. Teammates Maria Cruz added 5 kills, while Landen DeVera also chipped in with 4 kills.

On the Eagles’ side, Prudence Palisoc dominated with 6 kills and an impressive 7 blocks, while teammate Juliet Ambrose contributed 6 kills, and Niesha Chen added 5 kills.

Set 1: Eagles Take Charge
The atmosphere was electric right from the start. It seemed that this Eagles team was well equipped to put up a strong fight against the unbeaten Cougars.

Palisoc led the charge for the Eagles, delivering an impressive five blocks in the opening set alone. Mendiola-Cruz was a powerhouse for the Cougars, dominating the offensive end by slamming every ball set her way.

As the Eagles gained momentum, they began building their lead and slowly started to pull away. Despite Academy’s efforts to fight back, Harvest maintained its lead, ultimately taking the first set 25-19, much to the delight of the home crowd.

Set 2: Cougars tie it 1-1
The Eagles surged to an early 4-2 lead, riding off the energy from the opening set. However, the Cougars weren’t giving up without a fight. They quickly reclaimed the lead at 8-6, igniting their competitive spirit. With heightened communication, Academy began to establish a comfortable lead, 17-10. They led by as much as 11 points.
Senior Maria Cruz served an ace to cap off the set, allowing the Cougars to take the set 25-19, leveling the match at one set apiece.

Set 3: Cougars make a comeback!
Harvest came out swinging in the third set, taking an early lead at 8-4 and extending it to as much as a 7 point gap at 14-7. This forced Cougars coach Manny Guarin to call a timeout to regroup. The home crowd was on their feet, rallying behind the Eagles as their offense continued to click.

The Eagles held as much as a 10-point lead in what seemed like a done deal. But the Cougars weren’t finished just yet. They caught back up, narrowing the gap to eventually take a 23-22 lead after being down the entire set!

Cheers from fans from both teams filled the gym as the match intensity increased. The Cougars had a hard fight to the finish, with senior Ariana Cruz delivering a crucial block to seal the deal for the Cougars 25-23.

Set 4: A Nail-Biting Finish
It was a nail-biter for sure as both squads evenly battled to a 15-15 tie. As the set progressed, the Cougars pulled ahead 21-18.

However, Harvest was determined not to go down without a fight. The atmosphere was loud and hyped, with fans on both sides cheering wildly. The intensity back and forth had the set extend well past 25 points.

Academy’s Hinengi San Nicolas delivered the final kill for the Cougars, clinching the match for the Cougars 32-30!

“This game was definitely a roller coaster. There were definitely a lot of ups and downs. My team just had to bring it together and play how we know how to play,” said San Nicolas. The Cougars remain the only undefeated team in the league and the team to beat for the championship this season.

“Every game we work hard. We don’t underestimate any team. We come in with fire and give each team the same competition,” added San Nicolas.

In the JV game, the Cougars also defeated the Eagles 27-25, 25-20.

ISA Girls Volleyball League

The highly-anticipated matchup between the JFK Islanders and Sanchez Sharks (both 4-0) did not happen as the JFK campus was shut down for the entire day due to the safety threats. It is unknown when they will play that match.

At GW, the Geckos came from behind to take down the Okkodo Bulldogs 17-25, 25-23, 25-20, 25-19. In all three sets they won, the Geckos came from behind late to win it.

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