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3-peat for SIS in MISO v’ball
The Saipan International School Geckos celebrate after winning their third straight title in the 2014 Marianas Interscholastic Sports Organization Boys Volleyball League last Saturday at the Marianas High School Gymnasium.
(Contributed Photo)
SIS completed its amazing run this season with a third straight MISO boys volleyball crown in tow, foiling GCA’s title bids in the same number of years.
The Geckos swept the elimination round and earned the first finals berth after breezing through the double elimination bracket on the final day. They enjoyed a twice-to-beat advantage after going undefeated.
GCA and Mt. Carmel School Knights, which were relegated to the loser’s bracket, dueled for the last finals berth.
The Eagles hacked out a 25-19, 25-21, decision over the Knights to earn another crack at the Geckos and advance to the finals for the third straight time.
In Game 1 of the title duel, the Eagles played cohesively and with strong determination to ambush the Geckos, 25-23, 25-19. GCA got its first victory over its long-time rival this season and more important the Eagles also forced a deciding Game 2.
However, SIS showed poise and championship experience in its final you-or-me showdown against GCA, which buckled under pressure.
The Geckos sealed the title after a hard-fought 25-18, 25-18 decision against the Eagles. Andrew Johnson led the Geckos’ attacks, as the senior was relentless in the final game of his MISO career.
Johnson, behind the excellent set plays of Tommy Choi, punctured the GCA defense all game long.
“All games were amazing and the quality of the plays was great. The skills of both SIS and GCA players made the finals worth it by all means,” said SIS coach Mili Saiki, who was assisted by J.R. Gechig and John Nekaifes.
“As the SIS coach, I’m very happy and proud, not only with the Geckos’ performance, but the other schools as well. This is, in my opinion, the year we have seen the best volleyball skills so far.”
Quintin Ramsey, William Fong, Chris Park, brothers Allen and Chris Cepeda, Daniel Lim, Chan Woo Jeong were the other members of SIS’ three-peat winning squad.
The varsity teams of MHS, Tinian High School, Marianas Baptist Academy, Saipan Southern High School, Kagman High School, and MHS junior varsity complete the field in the boys volleyball. (Jon Perez)
