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Middle school girls volleyball league kicks off
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Posted on Jan 20 2022
Both teams of Saipan International School seeing action in the NMIVA-PSS Interscholastic Middle School Volleyball League 2021-2022 season pose for a group photo at the start of the competition Tuesday at the Marianas High School Gymnasium. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)
The NMIVA-PSS Interscholastic Middle School Volleyball League 2021-2022 season kicked off last Tuesday with four teams on tap at the Marianas High School Gymnasium.
Public School System Athletic Program director Nick Gross is relieved that the league finally got going after several delays caused by the rise in COVID-19 transmissions on Saipan.
“After months of cancellations and delays we’re excited to finally get athletic programs back online! I’d like to thank the community and most especially the students, coaches, and officials for believing in the need to return to sports and following the updated safety protocols that have been put in place. With everyone’s cooperation and adherence to the protocols I believe we can safely and successfully restart athletic programs for the students of the CNMI,” he said.
Even some of the coaches of the teams taking part in the middle school volleyball competition were happy to return to the court.
“We have been waiting for this opportunity. We appreciate it. We have been lucky to have face-to-face classes but many other students were online for long time. Having the chance to play sports and compete with other schools make us have a sense of ‘normality.’ Just to have the experience to play means a lot to our students,” said Saipan International School acting coach Mili Chaves De Saiki.
Tanapag Middle School coach Catherine Woodruff echoed De Saiki’s comments.
“Happy to be back in the game and to see the students enjoy it once again. Hopefully, TMS will defend its title from last year,” she said.
In the actual games, Grace Christian Academy 2 won its debut against SIS 1, 21-11, 21-6, in the north court. In the south court, SIS 2 prevailed over Mt. Carmel School 1, 21, 11, 21-6.
In the second games, TMS 1 got the better of Francisco M. Sablan Middle School, 21-11, 21-9, in the south court. While in the north court, Saipan Community School walked away with a win over Hopwood Middle School in a forfeit.
Games will resume on Monday at the MHS Gym.
The NMIVA-PSS Interscholastic Middle School Volleyball League 2021-2022 season is sanctioned by the Northern Mariana Islands Volleyball Association.
