Lost Boyz eke out win over Ol’Aces

Just as sure as the Lost Boyz find a way to win every game, the Ol’Aces continue to let their close games slip through their fingers—such was the scene on Thursday, Jan. 27 at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium, when the undefeated Lost Boyz fought off the fiercely competitive Aces in three sets to extend their streak to nine games in continuation of the Island Wide Volleyball League.

The fans in the stands were cheering every point scored in the match that went down to the wire, as the Lost Boyz (9-0) took the final set 16-14 to put a cap in one of the season’s most exciting games to date.

Alex Olopai of the Lost Boyz led all leapers with three kills and an ace, while teammate Nick Castro also bagged three kills, and Nan Intharaluk scored a kill and served up an ace in the match.

With the win, the Lost Boyz continue to reign alone atop the men’s division with an unmarred record of 9-0, but the match did not go as smoothly as they would’ve liked.

After cruising to an easy 25-14 victory in the first set, the Boyz had the tables turned in the second when they took one on the chin, 25-20.

The game was up for grabs in the third and final set, and the Ol’ Aces (2-6) had a chance to do what no other team had been able to do all season by putting a notch in the champs’ loss column, but the Lost Boyz found a way to come out with a win.

While the first place team kept on winning, the last place team kept losing, as the Monarchs (0-9) were unable to get their first win for the ninth consecutive outing. This time it was the Floaters (2-6) that dethroned the Monarchs, but they needed three sets to do so.

After scrambling to find enough players to field a team, the Floaters called on injured teammate Noki Rogopez to hit the court. Despite playing with an injured ankle, Rogopez and the rest of the Floaters came out to overwhelm the Monarchs in the first set 25-18.

Andy Nepaial, Scott Thompson, and company had little time to pat each other on the back as the Monarchs rallied back to take the second set in dominating fashion, 25-13.

As it turned out, the Floaters wanted their second win more than the Monarchs did their first, and took the clincher 15-10.

On the women’s side of the newly brightened Ada Gym, Pikan Gaga (9-1) raised their win total to nine games with their three-set win over the Hitters (2-7). After losing to the Hitters 25-23 in the first set in which they tallied 10 kills and four aces, Pikan Gaga roared back to take the second 25-19, and the clincher 15-6.

Percy Torres racked up three kills and an ace in the final set to help propel the Gaga over the Hitters.

The final match of the night also went the distance, as the up and coming T-8 (2-8) escaped the clutches of Haz Been (2-8) to earn their second victory of the year win three sets, 25-11, 15-25, and 15-6.

Roquita Norita was the Alpha and the Omega for T-8, as she served up the first and last points of the first set—including four aces along the way.

Teresa Miller was serve-tastic for Haz Been in the second, as the Clubmate spent most of her time behind the line. Miller finished of the set with two aces—including the final point that gave them the win, but Maggie George ruled the floor with six kills. George was all over the place, and her improvisational skills helped pave the way to even the set count at one apiece.

That was as far as the Haz Been would get, as T-8 slammed the door shut with six aces in their 15-6 third set win.