MHS topples GCA in girls v-ball start

The Marianas High School Lady Dolphins started the season on a high note as they brought down the defending champions Grace Christian Academy from their pedestal in three thrilling sets of the NMIVA-PSS Interscholastic Girls High School Volleyball League 2024-2025 last Tuesday at a jam-packed MHS Gymnasium.

The seven-time champions GCA have a new look this season as they are now coached by Joe Saures after the retirement of long-time coach Cesar Libut. The team also has new recruits, while their star player Azriel Fatialofa has moved to Saipan Southern High School.

So, it was evident from the first serve that the Lady Dolphins—last season’s runner-up—had a hunger that they looked to satiate. They dominated the first set, 21-16, as the Lady Eagles looked for their rhythm but struggled with the new dynamic.

MHS’ hard-hitters Rizza Relucio and Erica Zandueta led the squad through the first set with ease, as GCA fell quickly, 5-10. GCA tried to get back into it with great service by Tae Hee Kim, but they were still short, 6-13. MHS then took it all the way before the Lady Eagles could really get going.

But the Lady Eagles found their groove in the second set, 21-13, and forced a tie-breaker—which was the fourth game that went to three sets in the league’s opening night.

Back-and-forth action made it anyone’s game, but MHS prevailed, 15-10, as they came out hitting with more aggressiveness and made fewer errors than GCA.

With Relucio and Zandueta in the MHS team are Cassie Regan, Sheira Dela Rosa, Jayme Vargas, Airianna Estrada, Ella Hall, Direnalyn Castro, Fiona Regan, Savita Sikkel, and Charlotte Amano.

The Lady Eagles with Kim are Mariana Angeles, Beatrice Fabre, Sofia Gomez, Eunji Hahn, Sarang Kim, L.J. Libut, Alyssa Omampo, Eliane Pagaduan, Eunice Pagaduan, JoAnella Yarofalir, and Dianna Zheng.

In other results that night, MHS II outlasted Kagman High School II in three tough sets, 17-21, 21-16, 15-11; MHS III silenced Saipan International School II, 21-7, 21-12; Saipan Southern High School II lost to Mount Carmel School II, 21-18, 21-12; KHS slipped past MCS, 21-17, 20-22, 15-8; and Agape Christian School beat SSHS also in three sets, 21-16, 15-21, 3-15.

Games are played every Tuesday and Thursday. The championship tournament is slated for Oct. 23-25.

Results of last night’s games will be posted in the next issues of Saipan Tribune.