MANILA – Western Visayas’ secondary girls volleyball team captured the PRISAA 2018 National Games championship after a 25-11, 25-13, 25-7 sweep over Region 4-A at the Holy Name University Covered Court in Tagbilaran City, Bohol.
Led by Kiesha Bedonia and Shane Carmona, the Blue Barons, a 25-13, 21-25, 25-9 winner over Davao in the semifinals on Thursday, fended off a huge challenge from Region 4-A yesterday to capture the championship.
WV surged to an early advantage in the opening set behind the short hits of Carmona and Bedonia. Region 4-A tried to keep the match close but WV always had an answer to take the set.
WV started strong in the second set behind Bedonia, Joan Marie Monares and Alyssa Bertolano to build a double-digit lead. Errors by Region 4-A down the stretch contributed to their downfall.
Already sensing the championship, WV pounced on the erratic Region 4-A in the third set with Bedonia and graduating Marianne Sotomil anchoring the offense. More errors from Region 4-A sealed the win for WV.
WV also swept the individual awards with Carmona bagging the best server and MVP award; Sotomil, best setter; Pearl Ann Denura, best receiver; Bedonia best blocker; and Ian Macariola, best coach.
“We were able to execute our game plan well,” said Macariola. “We know that Region 4-A is one of the powerhouse teams here so we really prepared hard for this game.”
Aside from the secondary girls team, the WV squad also clinched the championship in the tertiary girls category with a 25-17, 17-25, 25-19, 25-15 victory over Region 4-A squad.
In the secondary beach volleyball, WV team composed of Nohlin Jundana and Marixi Maligmat settled from a silver medal finish after losing to Cagayan in the finals yesterday morning./PN
