GCA fly to 1st win in girls v-ball

Grace Christian Academy Lady Eagles flew to their first win in the NMIVA-PSS Interscholastic Girls Middle School Volleyball League 2024-2025 last Thursday at the Marianas High School Gymnasium.

The defending champions found themselves in a rut early in the season, but bounced back with a two-set victory over the Tanapag Middle School Tatagas. Led by captain Breanna Lopez, the Lady Eagles soared to a 21-17 first set win.

The Tatagas had a height advantage with Aaleyah Fatialofa, who towered over the players on the court. She dominated at the net, scoring points for TMS with powerful kills. However, GCA’s better-managed returns and fewer errors allowed them to take the first set by four points.

The second set was a much closer game as TMS inched toward a comeback and a tie-breaking third set. GCA drew first blood, but the Tatagas quickly overpowered them to sport a 5-1 lead.

However, GCA’s chemistry was more pronounced in this matchup as they tried to turn things around and halt TMS’ bid for a tie-breaker. After a few mistakes in TMS’ returns, GCA got back in touch as they rallied and were within two points, 6-8. Fatialofa was a menace and swung the momentum back in their favor though from face-melting serves that put them up, 12-8.

But TMS fell off the tracks later in the game as the Lady Eagles put all their skills in overdrive and won, 21-18.

GCA’s roster includes Anne Arriola, Charlotte Figueroa, Hanbyul Jang, Mikheala Kim, Sarang Lee, Breanna Lopez, Celine Mondido, Adele Raho, Stacey Ramos, Ameree San Nicolas, Chloe Shin, and Keala Takeda.

In other results that day, Francisco M. Sablan Napu Riders took down Chacha Ocean View Middle School Lancherus, 21-5, 21-15; Hopwood Middle School II beat Saipan International School II, 21-18, 21-16; and TMS II defeated FMS II in a tie-breaking third set, 21-17, 19-20, 15-12.