PAULIN POWERS EAGLES PAST GECKOS

By Jay Leon Guerrero

Devin Paulin put on a show Friday night in a showdown against last year’s ISA champion GW Geckos in the IIAAG/ISA Boys High School Volleyball League at the GW Gym.

Paulin had a game-high 15 kills, most of which were highlight worthy, to help the Eagles win in four sets over the Geckos 25-17, 22-25, 25-19, 25-13.

“Feels really good to get this win tonight. After committing so many service errors against FD, our coaches really drilled us during practice to help us improve,” said Paulin.

Paulin started the game on fire with six kills in the opening set to help Harvest win 25-17.

The Geckos took an 11-7 lead to start the second set with seniors Jonah Blas and Edwin Leon Guerrero leading the offense with points via kills.

The Eagles answered with Jack Keith leading the way with a pair of kills and a service ace to take a 20-17 lead. The Geckos answered to go on a 5-0 run. GW retook the lead with Ryan William at the service line during the run.

The Geckos held on to win the second set 25-22 with Shawn Leon Guerrero coming up big in crucial moments of the game with plays at the net on offense and defense.

3rd Set

The Eagles bounce back in the third set with help from their middle blockers. Tai Castro and Finley Horne were huge in the set, with each player recording two kills and two blocks to hold off the Geckos 25-17. 

4th Set

Jacob Ji lifted the Eagles to a 19-10 lead in the fourth set with three kills. The Eagles were inspired by Ji’s energy and cruised to 25-13 fourth set win.

“In that fourth set, we scored a 2.7. On a scale of 1 to 3 for passing, that is insanely good, and we were able to run our system well. The service lead was key for us, and we were able to put more players in the game for playing time,” said Keith.

“For the remainder of the season, the team still needs to work on our outer system and be more aggressive,” said Paulin.

Keith had eight kills and three service aces for Harvest. Ji had nine kills, Horne had four kills and three blocks.

Harvest setter Caleb Judicpa was also a key player in their victory Friday night. Judicpa, who also surprised the Geckos with three kills and two blocks, was accurate in his sets to the middle and the outside.

“Our setter has been magic this season. We’ve been working with him during practice on the on-two’s,” said Keith. Keith said that Judicpa was also great on the off passes: “he’s been making do on the off balls we’ve been giving him, and it’s been great so far.”

The Geckos fall to 2-3 this season and will face the Tiyan Titans and the ND Royals next week.

Shawn Leon Guerrero led the Geckos with seven kills and two aces. His brother Edwin Leon Guerrero and Blas each contributed six kills. Edwin Leon Guerrero also had three blocks and two service aces for the Geckos. 

Harvest improves to 4-1, tied for second place behind the undefeated Royals.

FRIDAY’S GAMES

Notre Dame def. St. John’s 25-15, 25-21, 25-19

JFK def. GACS 25-7, 25-15, 25-11

St. Paul def. Guam High 25-21, 25-27, 25-18, 25-23

Tiyan def. Okkodo 25-20, 25-17, 26-24

Sanchez def. Southern 25-15, 25-23, 25-11

THURSDAY’S GAMES

FD def. GAA 22-25, 25-16, 25-14, 18-25, 15-12

St. John’s def. Tiyan 25-20, 25-23, 22-25, 25-16