Whispering Palms hands GCA first loss

Whispering Palms snapped Grace Christian Academy’s winning run in the junior high division of the 2008 Coalition of Private Schools Sports Association Volleyball League after posting a straight set win yesterday at the Terns’ nest on Navy Hill.

Whispering Palms recovered from a 0-8 deficit in the first set to nail a come-from-behind 25-17 victory. The second set was even harder, as the Terns needed an extra point to pull off a 26-24 triumph.

The victory improved Whispering Palms’ record to 8-2. The Terns lost to the Eagles in the first round and their other defeat came at the hands of Calvary Christian Academy last week.

“Our students were off to a lousy start that’s why they trailed by eight. But when they got their rhythm, everything fell into the right places. They’ve been hitting the ball and played impressively on the net,” said Whispering Palms principal Tom Weindl.

Mark McDonald coached Whispering Palms in the opening part of the first set, but had to leave when his team was trailing to attend a meeting at Marianas High School.

Brian Hom, a parent of one of Whispering Palms players, took over and watched the Terns ground the Eagles.

“The players got their acts together in the latter part of the first set and continued to play as a team in the second set to pull off the win,” Hom said.

“Our players have been showing significant improvements as far as their skills in playing volleyball are concerned. They are really fun to watch, as they look up to each other and give their best in every game. More than winning, they are enjoying playing together and thrusting their teammates and that’s what we love seeing in this co-ed volleyball,” Weindl said.

The Whispering Palms principal added that the significant improvement and teamwork the Terns are showing in their past games will boost their chances to regain the championship this year.

Whispering Palms won the 2006-2007 season of the middle school division, but was dethroned by Seventh Day Adventists last year.

The Terns are composed of Christian Miller, Ilia Corella, Joon and Jay Ko, Jake Lee, Cody Race, Clay McCullough-Stearns, Minori Yoshida, Kristina Folta, Raina Klaver, and Phalai Frink.

Whispering Palms has four more games left before wrapping up the regular season. Playoffs will start later this month. The Terns will be facing Saipan International School Blue and Green teams next week and Calvary and Saipan Community School the following week.

“It will all be home-away games so we must be more prepared and continue to work as a team to win our last matches,” Weindl said.

GCA also has four games left and would be eyeing a sweep to claim this season’s pennant.

Eagles coach Mark Robles said the breaks did not go their way in the end, but he is confident his wards will recover in their next game.

The GCA junior varsity volleyball team is composed of A.J. Batallones, Daniel Camacho, Genesis Manglona, Kelvin Sablan, Ken Orejola, Kim Alvarado, Kristine Molina, Luke Camacho, Michelle Faller, Michi Tenorio, Min Sung Kim, Noel Miguel, Patrick Reyes, Tim Dela Rosa, Kallie Anne O’Conner, and Joseph Sablan.