Vacos' foursome of J.R. Gechig, Wilton Laniyo, John Nekaifes, and Mili Saiki survived Dig This, Beaches after a six-set ordeal to win the Northern Mariana Islands Volleyball Association's Sunset Coed Beach Volleyball Tournament last Friday at Fiesta Resort & Spa.
Scoring was formatted as a best-of-three-set series, in which Vacos held a twice to-beat advantage as the upper bracket qualifier among the eight competing teams.
Dig This, Beaches would rise to the occasion with a late charge, 25-6, and, 15-11, to force the second tiebreaker series after dropping the opening set, 14-25.
Vacos bit down, however, and took the ensuing opening set, 25-17, and though Dig This, Beaches evened the score once again in the second face off, 25-21, the eventual champs caught fire in the clutch and imposed a swift ending under the lights, 15-5.
The group split a $300 cash prize and lunch buffet coupons compliments of Fiesta Resort.
Coming into the finals, Vacos rode a wave of victories over Managaha (21-19), Harapwang Face (15-6, 15-12) and Dig This, Beaches (18-21, 21-13, 15-12).
Dig This, Beaches advanced past Man'amko (21-16) and the Managaha Boyz (15-8, 15-6) before falling to its rivals, but earned a chance for redemption by overcoming eventual third placer Managaha (21-19, 21-9) in the lower bracket semis.
Aside from Fiesta Resort, Godfather's Beach Bar, Brabu, KZMI 103.9 FM, and Gold's Gym also sponsor the event, proceeds of which will benefit NMIVA's youth volleyball development programs and international travel expenses.
Free youth clinics ongoing
NMIVA's free youth training practices are still ongoing and are being held beachside at Fiesta Resort on Wednesdays from 4pm to 6pm and on Saturday mornings from 8am to 10am.
The NMIVA is always in need of more volunteers.
Visit www.nmivolleyball.org for more information.
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