Intharaluk, Peter take NMIVA qualifier

Kitinan Intharaluk and Taula Peter emerged from a field of 10 teams of Saipan’s best beach volleyball players without losing a match to win the latest qualifying tournament set up by the Northern Mariana Islands Volleyball Association at the Hyatt Regency Saipan this past Sunday.

The pair bumped, set, and spiked their way through all four challengers that came their way en route to obtaining the coveted 15 points toward the South Pacific Mini Games this July—and they downed the previous champs to do it.

In one of the closest games of the tournament, Intharaluk and Peter eliminated Donn Dunlop and Gabriel White, 22-20, with good communication and some inspiring play.

The champs held a 16-10 advantage before Dunlop and White rallied back to tie the game. Later the score was tied at 20 apiece before Dunlop’s diving attempt fell inches shy of an Intharaluk knuckle ball for a side out. Rally scoring gave the Intharaluk and Peter the ball and the point. Both teams went all out during the next volley, but a two-handed overhead shot by Peter found the back court line to win the game, 22-20.

Intharaluk found himself in first place at the conclusion of a tournament, but this time he was flanked by Peter

The last time out, Intharaluk took second place to the duo with rookie Rannel Calexterio, and though his official total has yet to be released, with the win he has more than enough points to qualify to represent the CNMI in Palau.

While the pairings for the Marianas Cup and the Mini Games have yet to be decided, sources close to the players indicated that Intharaluk and Dunlop may be teaming up for the Hyatt qualifier in two weeks, while White and Peter may be joining forces for the event.

NMIVA will continue their efforts to put the fun in fundraising next Sunday, Feb. 13 for the women at the Pacific Islands Club, as the women take to the sand in the latest qualifier on the sand court behind the water park.

“This week there’s going to be a lot more women’s teams coming out, and they gotta start getting ready for the big guns that are coming out for the Marianas Cup,” said NMIVA consultant Jon Cramer.

Cramer added that among the teams entered in the women’s tournament are four professionals from Japan.

The courts at the Hyatt will roar back into action the following week, as there will be a two-day event on Saturday, Feb. 19 and Sunday, Feb. 20, as well.

The cost for the events at the PIC and the Hyatt will be $7 for NMIVA members and $12 for non-members.

All of the two-player tournaments will be played in a double-elimination format, without pool play. All will have a 9am registration times followed by 10am starts. Anyone intending on playing in the Mini Games should be entered, but the tournaments are open to anyone interested in partaking in the beachside events.