November 15, 2024
by John Cody Lumantas
Homitori Gym – The Red Nighthawks triumphed with a 2-0 lead over Green Osprey in the final match volleyball championship held at Homitori Gym on November 14, 2024. Both teams witnessed a battle with the Titans, but the more experienced and better-talented Nighthawks proved strong and won the game. While the Green Osprey had some guts, skin, and remarkable fighting spirit to come from backstage and dramatically win the quarterfinal and semi-finals, they were overpowered and overwhelmed by a well-balanced and focused Nighthawks team.
The Green Osprey headed into the final games with a track record of incredible comebacks. Throughout the competition, they were hailed for their ability to seal victories when they were trailing – with which they had trailed their opponents significantly – and do so with style. Their path to the finals had been difficult, as they faced some of the tournament’s strongest teams. This established them as underdog heroes, but the Red Nighthawk challenge is different.
The Red Nighthawks took possession of the contest with their first serve. Their serving was precise throughout the match, and relentless bomb snagging put them on the Ospreys’ side of the court. During the first set, the Nighthawks’ overpowering movement and rapid passes overpowered the Osprey and forced them to defend. That, paired with spikes, immaculate sets, and how they played near the net, gave them an early advantage in the first set. In contrast, Osprey struggled to respond to the Nighthawk challenge, with their attempts being stopped, and the team failing to set the appropriate pace.
When the set went on, the Nighthawk’s defense was solid and hard to breach at the set’s closing. Their attackers were perfectly placed at the net and soared over Osprey spikes, making them offer no serious attack from the Osprey side. At the same time, the Nighthawks’ attackers were merciless, their outside hitters made devastating spikes that the Osprey’s libero merely tried to try to fend for; and still could not. The first set was a rather swift affair as the Nighthawks triumphed at the first set, giving the Osprey no time to breathe.
The Osprey, however, were not a team for the other teams to underestimate. As a team, with their unyielding determination, fighting spirit, and spectacular turnarounds usually seen in previous rounds, they sought to do so, taking the much-needed set. They made a couple of modifications to their approach and started experiencing some measure of luck in the attacks. From that point, they could string together several ideal plays, hits, and even blocks, and the team could no longer penetrate the Nighthawk’s defense. The Red’s smooth coordination and swift switches between defense and offense seemed to keep Green far from them.
With the second set approaching the end, the Osprey went all out with attacks, trying to create a last chance. Nonetheless, they could not minimize the effect of the Nighthawks’ staunch defense and persistent attacks. The match ended in favor of the Red Nighthawks, clinching the championship title with a 2-0 win.