with reports from Kyle Ong & Angelo Santos, XS Varsity Volleyball Players

A victory in the Petron Treats Boys Volleyball Tournament last September 15, served as a booster for the senior players who took the Ateneo College Entrance Test(ACET) the same day as the Xavier Volleyball team defeated Cavite School of Life(CSOL).

The game was over and done with in a matter of two sets. Not only did the team do it for the seniors taking their test on that day, but for the pride and glory of their alma mater.

The next day, September 16, while many were at home taking a rest or out in the malls shopping, the Xavier Volleyball team was up and active as they played against St. Stephen High School in the Fil-Chi Tournament.

The Xavier team grabbed the victory from the hosts in three straight sets.

Last September 22, the Xavier Volleyball team went up against the heavily-favored Faith Academy Vanguards in the Interscholastic Sports Association(ISSA) Tourney. In a thrilling 4-set game, Xavier won decisively against their long-time rivals.The Xavier Team traveled all the way from Xavier School to Faith Academy in Antipolo, where they were set to go up against one of the best teams in the ISSA Tournament. Before the game started, Coach Albert Hao reminded his players that the pressure was not on them but on their opponents. Everybody in the audience, including the Faith players, expected nothing but a thrashing of the Xaverians. It was from this that the Xavier Team drew their strength.

As the first set started, Xavier quickly showed that they weren’t about to lay down and take a beating. In fact, much to the surprise of the faithful Vanguards audience, Xavier looked to be two steps ahead. Xavier displayed its full arsenal of plays, solid blocking, hustle defense, and never-say-die attitude that has come to characterize the style of play of Xavier Volleyball. The first set surprisingly went to Xavier, 25-15.

The second set came as a reassurance that Xavier did not come to lose. Xavier gained momentum and looked invincible; stopping the powerful plays of the Vanguards. The second set went to Xavier, 25-17.

Just as the Xavier boys looked to be capitalizing on their opportunity to beat their arch-rivals, the Vanguards decided to give one last push. The third set was a flurry of thrilling plays and aerial spikes being exchanged by both teams. Unfortunately, Xavier was on the losing end this time. Proving that they don’t give up easily either, the Vanguards rallied back into the game with a 19-25 win in the third set.

It was a big blow to the Xavier team to lose the third set, but they showed their determination to take the win. As they laid Xavier Pride on the line, the players played their hearts out in the fourth set. They showed their “killer-instinct” and dominated the fourth set. With one final point, Xavier defeated the Faith Academy Vanguards for the first time in over 3 years. The XS boys knew that they worked hard to earn the win, and this may be the start of the rise of the Xavier Volleyball team once again. Xavier holds a record of 2 wins and no losses in the ISSA tournament; while holding a 6-1 record for the year.

Let’s support the Volleyball team as they continue to bring pride to the school!