IYVL playoffs begin • Power Puff Girls face Tinian squad tomorrow
Playoff action picks up at the Ada Gym in the Islandwide Youth Volleyball League sponsored by Duty Free Shoppers Ltd., as the league is winding down its season with just a few playoff to be decided. The league culminates with the championships game tomorrow in all four divisions; girls JV and Varsity division, and the boys JV and Varsity division.
In girls Junior Varsity division, pennant champs Power Puff Girls will square off against a tough Tinian squad at 9:00 a.m. The winner of that contest will advance to the championship game while the loser drop to the losers bracket and would have to struggle pass the Hopwood Hilitai’s who earlier eliminated High Voltage in the first round of the playoffs.
Defending champs Hornets, meanwhile, stung Mount Carmel in their earlier encounter on April 4, but dropped a heartbreaker to Team Aschoscho Tuesday night. Aschoscho, last season’s runner-up champs, have been successful so far in their quest to regain the title they held a few years back.
In the first round of the playoffs, Aschoscho defeated 3rd place Zennith to set up the encounter with arch rival Hornets. In that hotly contested match-up, Aschoscho emerged victorious taking 2 sets to 1, and broke the Hornets winning streak. The game went to the extreme as both squads displayed outstanding plays showcasing their expertise on both sides of the net.
However, it was all Aschoscho as outside hitter Lorna Ogumoro, with the help of one of the league’s best setter, Jenny Somol, took the game to a higher level as she pounded the opponents court with perfect execution drilling in a total 16 kills. Her outstanding performance, backed by teammates Laurie Ogumoro, Lucia Somol, and Nicole Wabol’s offensive outputs at the 30-foot line, propelled the team to victory.
The Hornets, losing for the first time after going 5-0 during the regular season, fought aggressively the whole match as they split the first two sets. They seemed destined for a game winner early in the final set as they quickly climbed ahead 3-0 behind Eizel Mafnas consistent serves which includes two aces.
Aschoscho’s Cathy Ogarto countered with points 1, 2, and 3 to tie the score. The Hornets tried to contain Aschoscho’s charge later in the set but Team Aschoscho shut the door thus denying the Hornets any chance of a counter attack. Laurie Ogumoro, Ogarto, and Lucia Somol were also instrumental in securing the much needed win as they scored 5, 3, and 5 points, respectively. The other member of the winning squad includes Rita Pelisamen.
With the loss, the Hornets will have to beat their sister team Zenith to have a second shot at Aschoscho. That game was scheduled to be played last night (April 13).
In boys JV action, pennant champ Hopwood Junior High will meet Tinian at 9:00 a.m. on the other court with the winner advancing to the finals. The loser will face the Outlawz in the losers bracket. Whoever wins will have a shot at the title. The Varsity boys will see Lali 4 collide with Tinian for the Championship crown.
