Previous Story
Chiefs down Chuukanos, take second place
|
Posted on Mar 16 2005
The Managaha Chiefs improved their record to 12-3 on Monday night when they barely escaped an upset at the hands of the Chuukanos in the first of three make-up games of the Island Wide Volleyball League at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.
It was fitting that the contest was the lone event at the Oleai facility as the teams put together one of the most exciting games of the year, and was decided by the narrowest of margins.
The Chiefs received a round of solid play in the first set, and benefited from good communication in a 25-21 win in which Apple Samson, Jerry Smith, Dimas Omar, and Jazz Roscow each slammed down kills. Lucky Sharry added an ace to the Chiefs’ offensive showing in the opener, but it was his last laser of the night.
The Chuukanos turned the tables on the Chiefs in the second set, as Eken Amitaro and the boys let loose the dogs of war to wreak havoc on their enemy’s six-man squad with 11 kills. Amitaro hand-delivered three kills to the Chiefs’ end of the rubberized floor, as did teammate Tery Sam. Ritrick Masawa took to the air to hammer in a pair of kills as well, while J-Luck Takoichu, Simpson John, and K-Fis Raphael nailed one apiece to tie the game with a 25-21 win.
The battle raged into the night, spilling into a deciding third set that highlighted by the Chuukanos’ display of power and the Chiefs’ power of control. Neither team was able to put together a run of scores to gain a decided advantage until Tery Sam served up three aces and slammed three kills amidst a six-point run that took the Chuukanos to the brink of victory, but the Chiefs were able to stave off defeat with inspired defense.
They recovered to put themselves into a position to win the game, and Andrew Ortega’s final two serves were able to do just that to end the game in favor of the lifeguards, 15-13.
Samson finished the game for the Chiefs with a total of four kills, while teammates Smith (2), Sharry (1), and Roscow (1) finished strong as well. The Chuukanos received valiant efforts from their warriors in a losing cause as Amitaro finished the night with seven kills and an ace. Sam compiled seven kills and three aces, and teammate John notched three kills and an ace by game’s end.
