FD TAKES TITLE REMATCH OVER HARVEST

By Jay Leon Guerrero

The Father Duenas Friars won a rematch of last year’s IIAAG Boys Volleyball Championship game with a four set victory over the Harvest Eagles 25-16, 24-26, 29-27, 25-15 Thursday night at the FD Phoenix Center.

The Friars begin their quest in the new IIAAG/ISA league for a seventh straight title and improve to 2-0, while the Eagles fall to 1-1.

David Del Carmen led the Friars with 10 kills. Del Carmen, coming off basketball season, said he’s still getting adjusted to volleyball. “I’m still not fully adjusted. I still need a few more practices, and I’m sure I’ll get better by putting more work in,” said Del Carmen.

Last year, the FD Friars defeated the Eagles in five sets in the IIAAG championship game, and the GW Geckos won the ISA title. The Friars now have victories over the Geckos (season opener) and the Eagles.

The Friars have a goal of being the top seed in the league, and key victories early in the season against two tough teams in the league will certainly help their cause.

“Last year, we battled against Harvest to five sets in the (IIAAG) championship game. Tonight, we wanted to get comfortable and establish our dominance,” said setter Steffen Surban.  

The Friars won the first set 25-16 with middle blocker Noah Cruz and Antonio Egurrola playing solid defense. Cruz and Egurrola both recorded two blocks in the opening set to hold off the Eagles.

The Eagles bounced back in the second set with a thrilling 26-24 victory. Jacob Ji and Jack Keith helped the Eagles get to set point. Tai Castro was also involved in the offense for the Eagles, recording three kills in the second set. Harvest Middle blocker Finley Horne capped of the set with a big block to win the final point.

The Eagles continued momentum and had a chance to the crucial third set four times. Outside hitter Devin Paulin was finding his groove in the fourth set for the Eagles as they went up 24-23. 

Unfortunately for the Eagles, four straight service errors with the game on the line caused them to lose the set. The Friars capitalized on the Eagle errors and escaped with a 29-27 victory.

Del Carmen and Saul Bamba led the charge for FD in the fourth set as the Friars cruised to a 25-15 victory.

Devin Paulin led Harvest with a game-high 14 Kills. Keith had 11 kills and a service ace. Ji had six kills and two aces for the Eagles.

Egurrola had three kills and game-high five blocks, Cruz had four kills and three blocks.

The Friars will face another tough opponent Friday night, taking on the Notre Dame Royals at ND. The Eagles will also play Friday night against the Sanchez Sharks at the JFK gym. 

OTHER GAMES

GAA def. Southern 25-18, 19-25, 28-26, 25-20

JFK def. GW 25-21, 19-25, 25-17, 23-25, 15-8