18/10/2024
๐๐ข๐ซ๐๐ค๐ข๐ญ๐๐ฌ ๐๐ ๐ข๐ญ๐๐ญ๐ ๐๐จ๐ฅ๐ฉ๐ก๐ข๐ง๐ฌ ๐ข๐ง ๐๐๐ง'๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐๐ฒ๐๐๐ฅ๐ฅ, ๐-๐
Alabat Island National High School (AINHS) Blue Birdkites intimidated the CB Encarnado Integrated School (CBEIS) Blue Dolphins, 25-15, 25-15, in the opening day of Alabat District Meet Secondary Volleyball Boys held last October 17, 2024 at AINHS Gymnasium.
Birdkites striked sharks, ultimately attacking for it to sink, headed by their team captain, Arth Theodore E. De Leon, who knocked up a double-digit score, tallying 13 points from his 10 attacks and 3 aces.
"Of course, trust on each other comes first, and then the team work. We are in a team sport and not individual, so it's really important that everyone has a connection, and that gives us the confidence and momentum inside the court," said De Leon.
The Birdkites gained strong momentum early in the first set, shaking the crowd which appeared to rattle the Dolphins' defense.
On the other hand, the Birdkites were unable to prevent mistakes, allowing Blue Dolphins to easily score 9 points from their unforced errors in service.
Sweating in their edgy second game, Blue Dolphins failed to overcome the game tension as the Birdkites intensely peaked with a 25-15 score, ending the first set.
Blue Dolphins tried to chase the second set lead of the Birdkites, but Danzel Villanueva of AINHS laid out 3 straight service aces along with his 3 attack points, bumming out Dolphins' reception.
Blue Birdkites' Reign Andrei Mascarina, Cyrus Veracruz, and John Dave Casay joined the logjam defending the net with a strong 3 point record in block stat.
Birdkites' momentum continued in the last minute of the game, summing up the match in an overall 15-25 advantage.
"In the first set, they were actually nervous, since that feeling is really part of the game. However, during the second set we were slightly able to keep up, it's just that we don't have enough blocker, and that's where we fell short." explained by coach Edison Angulo of the Blue Dolphins.
"Our first goal is really to win and be selected for the provincial meet. So, I always set their mindset that no matter who they fight, whether they're a beginner or not, as long as they come to the court, it's going to be a war right away. NO MERCY! If you can finish it, finish it immediately." according to the trainer of the winning team, Ralph Asis Empensando.
All in all, the Birdkites served a pressure-packed match to the Dolphins and displayed a thrilling 2-straight sets win with a total of 26 attack points, 12 aces, and 3 blocks. Consequently, this victory leads the Birdkites to the battle for twice-to-beat.