FRIARS MAKE IT SEVEN STRAIGHT, DOWN EAGLES FOR TITLE

By Charlotte Oh

The Father Duenas Friars pulled the crown over their heads for the seventh consecutive time, continuing a legacy of dominance in the boys volleyball high school league. This year’s championship held even more weight, with the ISA and IIAAG leagues unifying for the first time—making the Friars’ run even more impressive. Playing against their rival, the Harvest Eagles, the Friars secured the victory in 4 sets: 25-15, 25-13, 18-25, 25-17

Their journey to the finals wasn’t easy. FD had to knock out tough contenders like the Sanchez Sharks and Notre Dame Royals to earn their spot in the championship game on Thursday night.

Saul Bamba, Jace Aguon, and David Del Carmen pulled out impressive stats. Bamba finished with 16 kills and one block. Aguon contributed seven kills, two blocks, and one ace. Del Carmen added 15 kills, three blocks, and one ace. 

Bamba shared, “I feel great. We got seven years in a row. I’m glad it ended like that.” Aguon added, “I’m very proud of how our team performed today. First two sets going off and on and just going crazy out there.”

Set 1

The JFK gym was packed, as spectators filled the air with echoing chants and cheers. From the very start, the two teams pumped with energy, battled for every single point. The Friars, led Aguon’s offensive power, soon found their rhythm to break away on a 10-2 run, leaving the Eagles in the dust. They won the first set 25-15 with ease.

Set 2

Riding their momentum, the Friars opened the set with towering blocks. The Eagles, on the other hand, appeared flustered, as missed serves and a scrambling defense cost them crucial points. FD setter Kole Guerrero connected with Noah Cruz, who slammed middle kills and put up monster blocks. While the Eagles were struggling to pick up blocks and tips, the Friars were grounded solid on defense due to their libero, Tristan Tabilas. The Harvest duo Jack Keith and Devin Paulin were flying high for kills, but it wasn’t enough against the well-rounded Friars. They swept the second set in a similar fashion to the first, 25-13.

Bamba shared his high energy during the game, “It was all the adrenaline. The crowd just cheering for me. That made me really lock in for real on my defense.”

Set 3

The Eagles weren’t willing to give up without a fight, as Keith put up a one-handed block that landed straight to the ground. As the crowd went wild, the Eagles used this energy to take a lead. Finley Horne, looming high over the net, stepped up for his team through explosive quick kills and huge blocks. The Friars had Bamba crushing balls on the outside, but the team as a whole committed too many unforced errors. Harvest’s setter Caleb Judicpa orchestrated their offense smoothly, setting up Paulin for relentless attacks. The Eagles controlled the tempo from start to finish, taking the set 25-18.

Losing the set didn’t faze the Friars, Aguon said, “We came back from the break and we said ‘let’s go, let’s just get it going, let’s win this right here.’”

Set 4

Harvest’s Jacob Ji hurled two fast topspin aces to start the fourth, and Paulin raked up kills off sharp angles, escaping the blocks and digs of his opponents as the Eagles jumped ahead early. Del Carmen fought back to earn points in his own way, pushing sets deep into the corner where no Eagle was guarding. The game was tied at 12-12 when the Friars went on a 6-1 run, thriving off a hustling defense. “Everyone was telling each other start off strong and finish strong and that’s what we did right there,” Bamba said.

The Friars took it away, finishing with high energy to win the last set, 25-17. As the final point ended, the Friars rushed to huddle around each other, celebrating a hard-earned championship. 

Notre Dame took the consolation game against Tiyan in four sets: 25-16, 25-18, 24-26, 25-19.