THE University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) beat host Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu Magis Eagles to win the High School Girls’ division crown of the 9th Ignatius Invitational Volleyball Cup with a three-set sweep yesterday in the Lux Oriens Gym of SHS-AdC in Canduman, Mandaue City.

USJ-R dominated the opening set, winning it 25-16 with the offense led by sisters Krizzia and Lian Caasi.

USJ-R continued where it left off and opened the second set with a 6-0 run. But SHS-AdC finally came alive with the duo of Angelyna Canieso and Jennifer Delos Santos.

It was nip-and-tuck in the second set with the teams changing leads. Kirstin Ojeda pushed it to the set point with a powerful attack, 24-22. But USJ-R rallied with back-to-back points by Lyn Densing and Jolly Velazquez to tie it 24-24. SHS-AdC once again got the set point with a spike by Delos Santos but USJ-R scored the three straight points--a drop by Densing, an error by the Magis and an attack by Lian--to steal the second set, 27-25.

Just like the second set, USJ-R came out swinging in the beginning but SHS-AdC was very persistent and kept it close. SHS-AdC even led late in the game 18-15 before USJ-R rallied back to win it 26-24 with a service ace by Lian.

“We did okay,” said USJ-R head coach Roldan Potot. “But we still need a lot of room to improve. We need more adjustments because we lost some of our key players.”

USJ-R lost key players Kate Chantal Rodriguez and Shiela Mae Kiseo, who are both now playing in Manila.

USJ-R is preparing for the upcoming Rebisco Volleyball Tournament next month and the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi).

Krizzia Caasi was named the Girls’ category MVP.

Meanwhile, the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) bagged the High School Boys’ division crown after beating the visiting Linao National High School in four sets, 21-25, 25-21, 25-19 and 25-16. USPF’s Ian Kim Jumandos was named the boys’ division MVP. (EKA)