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WITH two volleyball courts set up at the University of Guam Field House, athletes from several teams were set to kick off the 2012 GHRA Volleyball League.
In one of two games scheduled to open the season, Bank of Guam II squared off against Ernst & Young in Pool B action. At the end of the fun-filled match, both teams split their match (25-19, 21-25) claiming one set apiece.
Bank of Guam took charge early in the first set and jumped out to an early 2-0 lead with back-to-back aces by Simon Madrazo. Ernst & Young didn't stay scoreless too long as several errors by Bank of Guam gave up three straight points. The bank didn't stay behind too long and responded with four points backed by two aces by Jolia Rodgers and a kill by teammate Brandon Aflague.
Midway through the set, Bank of Guam built a sizable 16-9 lead after Valerie Mafnas served two aces. However, Ernst & Young narrowed the gap to 18-16 several plays later. Ian Zimms recorded three kills in the seven-point mini-surge. Not willing to relinquish their lead for a second time, Bank of Guam built a 23-16 lead after Aflague served up three aces in a row. Ernst & Young looked to steal the set after scoring three straight points, but the bank put a halt to the attempt and closed out to take the first set.
After giving up a service ace to Zimms, Bank of Guam built a 6-1 lead early in the second set led by the smart serving of Sharon Adolfo. A determined Ernst & Young team was not ready to surrender and managed to equalize the game at 9-9. Both teams battled back and forth while trading points on almost every possession.
With the score knotted at 18-18 late in the set, Ernst & Young made a move and two aces by Vince Bautista gave them a two-point lead. It was from that point where everything went right for Ernst & Young as they closed out the set with three straight points for the 25-21 win. Richard Vida ended the match with a nicely placed serve for the ace.
Aflague led Bank of Guam tallying four aces and two kills, while teammates Rodgers and Mafnas combined for six aces. Ernst & Young's Bautista and Zimms led their team combining for eight kills and four aces in the match.
GHRA volleyball action resumes later tonight with games beginning at 6 p.m. at the University of Guam Field House.
