Guam- It all boiled down to who wanted it more.
The George Washington Geckos traveled to Academy and fought long and hard in order to keep their record perfect. The Cougars went down swinging but could not handle the defending champs for the second time.
The Geckos had trouble getting warmed up at the start of the match. Academy new that they had to win the first set in order to stay in the game. And they did. Olivia Flores was the hot hitter for the Cougars. After Academy had won the first set head coach Ray Mantanona made it clear to his team that they have the skill, it’s really a matter of who wants it more and heart is what’s going to win this game. Academy also new that going to a third set is not good.
But once the Geckos start getting warmed up, it’s pretty much over for their opponents. In the second set, the Geckos were warm. Again, Flores was the go to girl for the Cougars but key blocks in the middle by Kara Guerrero along with her powerful shots helped keep the Cougars at bay and force a third and final set. The Geckos rode the momentum and ended up taking the third set.
The game was full of exciting, long rallies that were littered with great defense on both sides of the net.
The Geckos defeated the Cougars 20-25, 25-22, 25-19 and improve to 15-0. The Cougars fall to 10-5.
fperez@spbguam.com
