AOLG's Maria Cruz hits against Kubasaki's Runa Holladay and Cameron Eavers. (Dave Ornauer/Stars and Stripes)

CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa – With deft setting hands, Ariana Cruz continues to be the engine that drives Academy of Our Lady of Guam’s girls volleyball team.

But it was a nine-point serving surge at the start of the second set by Landen DeVera that put Wednesday’s Far East Division I Tournament final out of reach.

DeVera also racked up 10 kills and Cruz added 21 assists as the Cougars made it two straight D-I tournament titles and extended their Pacific record to 10 overall, beating host Kubasaki 25-16, 25-13, 25-17 at the Dragons Den.

“My team had to get locked in, play with confidence, trust in our training and listen to what coach (Manny Guarin) tells us,” said DeVera, a junior outside hitter.

Cruz’s ball distribution resulted in a well-rounded attack. Mercedes Mendiola-Cruz added six kills, Natasha Kelly pitched in with five and Maria Cruz added four kills. DeVera and Megan Camacho served three aces each and Ariana Cruz added two plus a pair of hitting winners.

“She’s our quarterback,” Maria Cruz said of Ariana Cruz, a senior who was also named the tournament’s Best Setter.

“She has been in the program for so long,” Guarin said of his setter. “She’s the mastermind of the offense. She’s the heart and the leader.”

Mendiola-Cruz and Kelly were repeat All-Tournament selections. Alessandra Leon Guerrero was named the tournament’s Best Defender.

“A good group of girls,” Guarin said.

Kubasaki's Ayeli Rocha hits against AOLG's Mercedes Mendiola-Cruz and Hinengi San Nicolas. (Dave Ornauer/Stars and Stripes)

AOLG's Landen DeVera spikes against Kubasaki's Lyn Doctolero and Cameron Eavers. (Dave Ornauer/Stars and Stripes)

Kubasaski's Runa Holladay bumps the ball over the net. (Dave Ornauer/Stars and Stripes)

AOLG's Hinengi San Nicolas jump-serves against Kubasaki. (Dave Ornauer/Stars and Stripes)

Guam High's Brinn Hardt waves a flag bearing the likeness of the Academy of Our Lady of Guam Cougar paw. (Dave Ornauer/Stars and Stripes)

The Dragons, with four D-I titles to their credit, began the season in rebuild after a handful of players transferred or graduated.

But Kubasaki rose up, particularly late in the season, to contend at both D-I and the American School In Japan YUJO tournament two weeks ago; they finished fourth there, after winning the two previous years.

“Their (Cougars) service pressure on us was unbelievable. They were hands down the best team in the tournament,” Kubasaki coach Joshua McCall said.

“The steady progress we’ve made this season has paid off,” he added. “We showed the progress and the hard work these girls put in was remarkable. They earned their way here.”

Junior outside hitter Yuri Biggins led the Dragons with nine kills and was named the tournament’s Best Hitter. Sophomore setter Lyn Doctolero had 13 assists for the Dragons. Junior defensive specialist Mikaela Reyno and senior outside hitter Ayeli Rocho were named All-Tournament.

The Cougars reached the final by winning in straight sets over Kadena, a team beset by injuries to four players, including starting setter Christina Kehe, a junior who fractured a wrist in practice two weeks ago.

Kubasaki made it to the final by rallying from a first-set loss to top ASIJ in four sets.

In the third-place match, Kadena fell in four sets to the same ASIJ team that beat the Panthers in the YUJO Tournament final.