GECKOS ALONE AT THE TOP, SWEEP COUGARS

By Mya Owens

In a highly anticipated showdown between two traditional powerhouse teams Tuesday night, the GW Geckos defended their home court in the Girls High School Volleyball League against the Academy Cougars in front of an energetic crowd.

The game was packed with rallies, upsets, and nonstop energy, keeping fans on the edge of their seats. The Cougars remained aggressive throughout, but the Geckos stayed consistent and defeated the Cougars in straight sets 25-20, 25-23, 25-14.

The Geckos’ all around player and Player of the Game, Yenia Smartt contributed nine kills while Arzariah Chargualaf contributed six aces toward the Gecko victory.

“We came out and we knew we had to keep our energy high to win. I feel really great,” said Smartt.

GECKOS TAKE THE VICTORY
Both teams came out with energy, trading aggressive swings and forcing passing errors. GW quickly capitalized on the Cougars’ mistakes while staying solid on defense. Reading the court well, the Geckos attacked the open spots on the Cougars’ side and closed out the first set, 25-20.

“We had defense, our defense was really good and our communication was the best it’s ever been. We weren’t scared, we played our game, we were confident,” reflected Smartt.

Opening the second set, the crowd traded chants, firing up both sides. On the court, the energy stayed high as the teams exchanged hard hits and dug them out.

Smartt powered through with four kills, while Ella Fejeran and Savannah Dela Rosa used smart tips that disrupted the Cougars’ passing and communication, forcing an early timeout. The Cougars came back energized, but the Geckos remained steady on both offense and defense. With set point in sight, a few Gecko errors allowed the Cougars to close the gap, but after a quick regroup the Geckos secured the set 25–23.

In the final set, the Geckos controlled a series of long rallies, winning each one and keeping the momentum on their side. The Cougars struggled to return the Geckos’ attacks and were often forced into scrambling plays. At the service line, Chargualaf delivered multiple aces that forced the Cougars into repeated passing errors, forcing an early timeout. Zariah Besabe powered three kills and Smartt added two more to stretch the lead even further. Even as the Cougars tried to regroup, the Geckos maintained communication and teamwork, pulling away to seal the match with a decisive 25–14 victory.

Chalk one up for long-time coaching legend ‘Queen B’ Bobbi Quinata, for beating Academy coach Manny Guarin. Quinata was an assistant coach for the old PIVA team under then coach Ernie Abanes, in which Guarin starred as a player in the 1990’s.

JV GAME
On the other hand, the junior varsity Cougars defeated the Geckos in both sets 25-18, 25-16.

OTHER GAMES

St. John’s def. GACS 25-5, 25-14, 25-15
Okkodo def. Guam High 25-20, 25-19, 25-17
Notre Dame def. Tiyan 25-12, 25-23, 25-19
Sanchez @ JFK def. Sanchez 23-25, 20-25, 25-20, 16-14
GAA def. St. Paul in 3 sets
Harvest def. Southern 25-8, 25-12, 25-14

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