Third time’s the charm for girls v-ball teams

If at first they didn’t succeed, they tried and tried again, as all five matches played in the NMIVA-PSS Interscholastic Girls Middle School Volleyball League 2024-2025 last Tuesday were decided in tie-breaking third sets.

The spectators at the Marianas High School Gymnasium witnessed a spectacle of intense back-and-forth action, skill, and unrelenting determination that led to fights to the finish in all matches.

The Mount Carmel School Lady Knights wrapped up the evening with an undefeated run of three consecutive wins after they beat Francisco M. Sablan Middle School Napu Riders, 21-19, 17-21, 15-13.

Mia Guerrero, Miana Dela Cruz, Adelle Kautz, Caydince Masga, O-ren Sasamoto, Neia Tagabuel, Paige Muna, Aliyani Basa, Eunyu Zoey Kwak, Sofia Dimafelix, Trisha Abuan, and Heaven Deleon Guerrero’s chemistry is unmatched this season, but the Napu Riders gave them a run for their money.

After MCS won a close first set, the Napu Riders bounced back in the second to tie it all up. The third set had everyone on the edge of their seats which ended the long day of games in thrilling fashion in favor of MCS.

Another undefeated team with three wins, the Dandan Middle School Tottots got the better of defending champions Grace Christian Academy Lady Eagles, 21-8, 18-21, 15-13.

DMS’ Avah Dela Cruz, Elikristiana Iglecias, Farrah Katosang, Genicia Agulto, Isabelle Deleon Guerrero, Kaya Babauta, Maria Aguon, Melody Taitano, Morgan Castro, Rhodalyn Zandueta, and Zowie Deleon Guerrero thought they could get past the Lady Eagles easily after a 21-8 first set, but the Lady Eagles had other plans.

GCA took the second set which forced a tie-breaker, but DMS redid their strategy and executed it well to seal their undefeated record.

Before that, Hopwood Middle School Hilitais found their first win of the season as they defeated Saipan International School Geckos, 21-12, 10-21, 16-14.

Franchesca Ferrer, Jayla Ayuyu, Elyza Brillo, Elissa Calayag, Augyguel Castro, Geana Chargualaf, Alina Esakova, Tehani Jolo, Seraya Kaniki, Neisha Kukkun, Hennewe Phillip, Dorcia Santos, Elena Teigita, and Doreane Tudela found their rhythm and won their first game of the season—but it was an uphill battle. They had the first set down pat, but the last two had them gasping for air from a rough and tumble SIS team. The tie-breaker ended in extra points as HMS locked in and clinched the win from clutch plays.

In the junior varsity games earlier in the afternoon, FMS II routed MCS II, 21-16, 11-21, 15-7.

FMS II’s Roann Arriola, Shioni Odoshi, Chloe Enriques, Yasmin Mamaril, Yoheveth Feria, Marina Matagolai, Kaylee Lizama, Maria Salas, Nianalyn Mettao, Hazel Guilas, and Xianelle Tabenas took matters into their own hands after they badly fumbled the second set, and quickly ended the game in a much easier third set.

And, SIS II started the day off with a win over Chacha Ocean View Middle School Lancherus II, 20-22, 21-14, 15-7.

Despite having a much smaller team, the Lady Geckos put up a long fight that got the stretched-out day of matches rolling. Faith Arriola, Arianna Chi, Jamie Whang, Olivia Zhang, Jiayi Li, Scarlett Burrell, Carlina Maras, and Jenna Pascual regained their composure after a close first set that could’ve gone either way. They then won the second set to even it up and took that momentum into the third to secure the win.

Games are played every Tuesday and Thursday, with the championship series set for Jan. 16-18, 2025.