NMIVA offers clarification for Kennedy

With the beachside battles to represent the CNMI in the 2006 Micronesian Games heating up, the top women of the Northern Mariana Islands Volleyball Association will go hand to hand in the San Antonio sand at the Pacific Islands Club this morning.

The race took a significant turn recently as NMIVA officials announced that a member of the second place team in the qualifying hunt is indeed eligible for the Games.

The Saipan Tribune previously reported that Heather Kennedy was ineligible to represent the CNMI due to the seven-year residency requirements, but recent proof of her tenure on Saipan was furnished to NMIVA officials.

The new information has a major impact on tomorrow’s beach competition at PIC as Kennedy and teammate Laurie Peterka are just four points behind the first place tandem of Stephanie Arnold and Jazmine Anastacio.

Saipan’s youngest one-two punch is all alone in first place through the first two qualifying tournaments with 48 points after back-to-back top five finishes, as Arnold-Anastacio managed to take fourth in their first outing as a team before surging to the forefront with a first place finish on the Hyatt sand.

They’ll have a chance to create some space this morning when the women’s qualifier enters its third round for the beach team rights, but Kennedy-Peterka is not the only combo with a chance at marching behind the CNMI flag this summer.

Benylynn Mettao and Sia Dela Cruz are tied for second with a pair of third place finishes, while 2005 Mini Games star Melissa Halaby and the most valuable player from the Private Schools Indoor Volleyball League, Lena Guzman, are in fourth place with 40 points.

Halaby’s teammate from the 2005 Mini Games is in fifth place as Mili Saiki joined Kelley Butcher to take second in the opening round—but Butcher is new on island and is ineligible to represent the CNMI.

From there the race is wide open, as five teams are still capable of making a run in the final two weeks of tournament play.

The fee for this weekend’s two-on-two action is $5 for NMIVA members and $10 for all others. For more info, contact NMIVA vice president Taula Peter by calling 322-9263 or via email at taulap@gmail.com. NMIVA head coach Nan Intharaluk can also be reached for more information by calling 235-6231 ext. 5147.