SHARKS SHOCK ANGELS IN COMEBACK WIN

By Carmen Gogue

After losing the first two sets, the Sanchez Sharks regrouped and came out blazing to defeat the visiting Guam Adventist Academy Angels in a thrilling five set contest 15-25, 19-25, 25-23, 25-21, 15-12 in the ISA Boys Volleyball League Monday night at the JFK gym.

Sharks middle blocker Bless Aisek was a force on both offense and defense recording eight monstrous kills and six huge blocks. Teammates Brent Villafuerte and Redley Tigilmai each recorded nine kills to aid the come back victory.

GAA’s towering middle blocker, Kana Sgambelluri recorded 28 kills to lead the Angels despite the tough loss.

First Set

The Angels led early in the first set as Samuel Jung and Sgambelluri dominated the net with big blocks stunning the Sharks. Using their momentum, GAA’s offense shined with kills coming from five different players to easily lead 23-15.

Jung flew in for a big kill to put his team at set point and with an ace from Nicolas Zuniga the first set was theirs from back-to-back points.

Second Set

Aisek started the second set with a powerful kill for the Sharks, but Twin towers Sgambelluri and Jung continued to drive the Angels offense at the net each firing kills until three consecutive errors plagued their game.

Sanchez did their best with taking advantage of the Angels mistakes, but it wasn’t enough to secure the set from GAA as a net violation ended the set 25-19 with the second set also gone for the Sharks.

Third Set

Reynard Lazarus served an ace for the Sharks to begin the third set but a hitting error on the next rally allowed GAA to tie 1-1. Sgambelluri led the Angels to a 6-1 lead, although the Sharks started to seamlessly work together to pick themselves up with kills also coming from five different players and key blocks to hold off the Angels 25-23.

“It’s all about playing together as a team..as a family. We figured that out after the second set, and we were lucky to realize that still early in the game”.

– Sharks Middle Blocker Bless Aisek

Fourth Set

Both teams went back and forth between points all the way to 20-20 but it was the Sharks confidence that seemed to improve tremendously with Villafuerte and Tigilmai each hammering four kills and Aisek getting two blocks to fuel the midpoint of their comeback.

Not knowing how to respond, GAA experienced a few hitting errors that widened the lead for the Sharks to grab the set at 25-21.

Final Set

Now with a confidence boost, the Sharks were determined to end the game in their favor by shutting down Sgambelluri with a well set up wall at the net. GAA was still putting up a fight as Sgambelluri started to play smart on the attacks but Sanchez kept composed on offense to take down the Angels 15-12.

Sharks head coach Jack Hattig III sheds light on his boys performance, “They looked across the net more and found their weak spots that we could attack. It was the management of the critical points, when it was really tight, that is where we kept our calm composure and were able to overcome,” said Hattig.

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