Eagles, Sharks to play for title

A new champion will be crowned tomorrow because the Harvest Christian Academy Eagles eliminated the defending champion George Washington Geckos.

The Eagles won 25-13, 25-21 in their Independent Interscholastic Athletic Association of Guam Volleyball League semifinal playoff game last night at the University of Guam field house.

"It was awesome," Eagles' captain Miles Herron said about the win. "We came in confident. We knew that if we worked hard together, if we got our passing and our offense going, then we would be consistent."

The Geckos tried to come back in the second set, starting with an ace by Kevin Cruz, and the lead went back and forth.

John Michael Alim's kill gave the Eagles a 9-7 lead, and then the Geckos' Eric Santos and Brendyn Padayao double-blocked a spike by Herron to give them an 11-9 advantage.

Matt Perez's kill broke a 12-all tie for an Eagles' advantage, and the Eagles never looked back.

Fans stomped their feet and cheered on their respective teams at match point, but the Geckos' serve sailed long to end it.

The Eagles dominated the first set. En Hong Pang's kill tied the game at 4 and the Eagles exploded after that. Pang finished the night with seven kills.

Herron's kill gave the Eagles a 12-7 lead, and he also finished with seven kills. Perez's kill ended the set.

The Eagles will take on the Simon Sanchez Sharks 7 p.m. tomorrow at the field house in the championship game.

During the regular season, the Eagles had a 13-2 record. Both of their losses came against the Sharks who also had a 13-2 record.

"It's going to be a tough game," Eagles coach Kevin Inafuku said. "It's going to be a good game because (we) are ready."