Crossovers take NMIVA qualifier

The tandem of Frances Somo-rang and Mayuki Aguon emerged from a pack of seven teams to win the latest women’s qualifying tournament for the Northern Marianas Volleyball Association yesterday afternoon on the sand court behind the Pacific Islands Club.

Somorang and Aguon put the finishing touches on their day of excellence when they edged the talented team of Laura Burley and Linda Anastacio by two points in one of the closest matches of the tournament, 21-19.

The duo played four games in which none of their competitors managed to mar their perfect record, but making the feat even more impressive was that Somorang and Aguon left the comforts of indoor volleyball to participate in the tourney for the first time.

The only thing disappointing for the champs is that they didn’t get involved in the outdoor scene earlier in the season. With the win, Somorang and Aguon earned 15 points toward the standings that NMIVA is using as the determining factor for the 2005 South Pacific Mini Games selection process. While the official point totals have yet to be released, they may still have a shot at representing the CNMI if they can win again next week at the Hyatt Regency Saipan.

Somorang and Aguon got the tournament started with a 22-20 win over Teresa Miller and Angie Mister in a game that went down to the wire. They continued their push with a hard fought victory over Fausia Mai and Betty Johnson that was far closer than the 21-11 score indicated. Their streak went to three games when they sent Jazmine Anastacio and Stephanie Arnold to the losers’ bracket in a 21-17 nail-biter that was full of intensity and great all around team play.

From there, Somorang and Aguon had to wait for the result of the rematch between Anastacio and Arnold of the “A-Team” and the tandem of Laura Burley and Linda Anastacio. Jazmine Anastacio knocked her mom’s team into the loser’s bracket when they outlasted the veterans 22-20. The rematch was just as close, as once again both teams were tied at 20-20 late in the game to force extra points. Experience paid off for Anastacio and Burley, as they got their revenge, 24-22, to advance to the final.

The women will have another chance to gain the precious points in next, when the top male and female players return to the Hyatt Regency Saipan for a two-day event on Saturday, Feb. 19 and Sunday, Feb. 20.

The cost for the event is $7 for NMIVA members and $12 for non-members. According to NMIVA secretary Steve Nguyen, all of the money collected from the games will help pay for part of the cost for sending a men’s and women’s team to compete in Palau this July.