GCA draws first blood as MS v-ball starts

With an impressive start to the NMIVA-PSS Interscholastic Girls Middle School Volleyball League 2023-2024 season, two-time defending champion Grace Christian Academy quickly took home the win over Dandan Middle School in a two-set matchup last Tuesday at the Marianas High School Gymnasium in Susupe.

Spectators and supporters had gathered for what one remarked as the shortest game ever, coming to a little over 30 minutes as GCA breezed through the first set with a 21-7 win, and began the second set with an 8-0 roll. During the final set DMS was able to sneak in 3 points bringing the point board up 11-3, but eventually when the set ended GCA took the win, 21-3.

In a postgame interview, GCA head coach Cesar Libut told Saipan Tribune that he feels good and excited about the championship this year, and confident in their players as many of them are returning players or as he put it “veterans.”

Libut said the team feels optimistic as well “The players are really excited, you know there’s pressure because we did two in a row, but these guys are really working so hard… I think the biggest one this year most of them wanted to spike because before they just bump, bump, so they wanted to learn how to spike right away. “

The team rotation is made of Llyana Jairah Libut, Neveah Camacho, Eliane Pagaduan, Aiyana Fatialofa, Wylynn Pua, Guadalupe Villagomez, Sarah Lim, Keala Takeda, and Jojo Yarofalir; eight of which are 8th graders, and one 7th grader.

“It’s a good team and they’re all coming back.” Libut said, and added that he also felt very pleased and blessed to have GCA alumni and HS athlete Katriel Saures as one of their new coaches. “This girl has a record for serving 41 straight. Imagine that 41.” he said that he had asked Saures to show the team how to do it.

“That girl didn’t lose a championship since 6th grade. It’s a blessing to have her coach. And this is the biggest one, she inspired all of the players because they know that she’s a good player. They see how she plays, the discipline… she brings a lot of energy to our team. I know we won the last two years, but I think it’s going to be a better team.”

He said he looks forward to this year’s championship, and said that he can see the improvements on the sport. “The level is going up. The coaches and volleyball here in the CNMI has taken off… so I’m looking forward for the championship hopefully we’re going to have another win this year.”

In other games, GCA 2 beat Chacha Oceanview Middle School, 21-11, 21-7; Tanapag Middle School defeated Mount Carmel 2. 21-16, 21-17; Francisco M. Sablan Middle School got the better of Saipan International School 2, 21-18, 21-11; Hopwood Middle School took care of Chacha Oceanview Middle School, 21-16, 21-18, and Saipan International School downed Saipan Community School, 22-20, 21-07.