GW WINS ANOTHER 5-SET THRILLER

By Paradis Jolie Fejerang

The GW Geckos are getting used to the five-set marathons in the ISA Boys Volleyball League.

Friday night’s showdown with the Okkodo Bulldogs was no different as the Geckos staved off the hungry Bulldogs in a wild 25-21, 25-23, 25-27, 20-25, 17-15 win.

It is the second crazy 5-setter for GW in a week.

With the season still being fairly early in, both teams used the opening set as a warm-up before getting their communication and game faces on. The Geckos looked to sweep the match after a close second set 25-23 win.

Senior captain of the Geckos, Kaden Apiag, had a lot to comment on regarding the state of his team and personal feelings throughout the game. “I was a little sluggish and slow but I got back into my flow with volleyball,” Apiag starts with a personal touch after coming off from a successful, but rough, basketball season. “The first two sets, our energy was high – it was good – but I think we got too comfortable in the third and fourth and we just made too many mistakes.”

Noting the vigor he and his teammates had once they stepped out on the court, it was clear GW was confident to start. Regardless, any bystander to the game would have been able to tell that the Bulldogs were entering the third set of the night determined to keep their competitors from a 3-set win.

Sets three and four was no doubt in the Bulldog’s control as key player Sam Carino found his groove while keeping his calm on the court as his kills began to stack up. Still, in a game filled with impressive spikes, Apiag had a few more in him to outdo the Bulldogs and lead his team into taking the final set of the night.

After an exciting night, Apiag knows where he wants his team to go and what they need to work on in the upcoming weeks based off of this most recent performance. “We just need to work harder, focus more in practice and have our energy up throughout the whole game instead of just the first couple sets.” What Apiag is looking forward to at the end of the season? Another ISA championship.

UP NEXT

The next day for ISA’s HS volleyball matches will be April 15 (Monday), where GW will take on Guam Adventist Academy at the Tiyan High gymnasium; the JV game will begin at 5:30 pm, Varsity will follow. The Okkodo Bulldogs will be back at their home court where the Sanchez Sharks will meet them for their match-up; the JV game will begin at 5 pm, Varsity will follow. 

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