ROYALS BLAST EAGLES FROM ALL ANGLES

By Carmen Gogue

Redemption at it’s finest.

The Notre Dame Royals, redeemed themselves from a tough loss against the St. John’s Knights in their previous game after bringing out the canons from every spot on the court to defeat the visiting Harvest Eagles in four blazing sets 25-14, 25-21, 21-25, 25-18 Tuesday evening in the IIAAG Boys Volleyball League.

“The boy’s really wanted this win [after their previous loss to St. John’s, and they were hungry enough to go and get it. We train them to be all around players and they know to execute wherever we put them.”

– Assistant coach Noel Sablan

Senior outside hitter Masato Rabago recorded a game-high 11 kills with two aces and one block.

Alongside Rabago, the Royals offense is full of towering hitters such as outside hitter Caleb Pereda, middle blockers Timothy Gumataotao and James Soriano and last but not least the play makers, flawless setters Josiah Duenas and Takoda Piper.

Not only is ND’s offense a force to be reckoned with, their defense features full coverage with hardly any holes open with Daryl Peredo and libero Davyn Paet ready to set up the return.

First Set

Both teams experienced hitting and service errors to start the game but it was the Royals who managed to have fewer mistakes.

Huge blocks from Soriano and five different ND players recording kills made it difficult for the Eagles to catch up. Soon the Royals found themselves up a comfortable 22-14, with Peredo subbing in as he served three aces to take the first set 25-14.

Second Set

Keeping a lead, the Royals began to face challenges at the service line and the net allowing the Eagles to stay on line.

As Harvest still struggled to find an offensive rhythm with only getting getting a few aces and kills, the Royals pulled away with the second set 25-21.

Third Set: Harvest Turns the Table

Harvest wasn’t ready to let up that easy, as they looked like a much better team in the third set leading 4-0.

The Eagles offense found their pace with massive kills coming from Jack Keith, Devin Paulin, and David Thompson to maintain a three to four point lead the entire set.

Shocking the Royals with this spark of momentum, the Eagles secured the third set 25-21.

Fourth Set

ND regrouped and were determined to go and get the win with opposite hitter Rico Taitague catching fire and Rabago’s three back to back kills.

Harvest continued to put up a fight with Keith controlling their offense, but it was no match to the Royals as Rabago effortlessly ended the game with an ace.

“I just told myself, It’ll be cool as heck if I ace this.”

– Masato Rabago on serving the game winning ace

Current Standings

ND 4-1
FD 4-1
St. John’s 3-2
Harvest 2-2
St. Paul 1-4
Guam High 0-4

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