SIS 1, GCA teams enter semis

A Saipan International School 1 player tosses the ball over to Seventh Day Adventist’s court during their playoff game in the middle school division of the COPSSA volleyball league yesterday at the Geckos’ turf in As Lito. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Saipan International School 1 is one step away from a return trip to the finals after winning its playoff game against Seventh Day Adventist yesterday in the middle school division of the 2016-2017 Coalition of Private Schools Sports Association Volleyball League.

The Geckos, who won last season’s championship after slipping past Grace Christian Academy in the finals, 25-18, 13-25, 15-6, advanced to the semis following their 25-18, 25-12 victory over SDA at the SIS court in As Lito.

SDA, before bowing to SIS 1, foiled an all-Geckos playoff duel when it outlasted SIS 2 in the continuation of their rained-out game last Wednesday at the SDA court in Chalan Kiya. SDA won the first set, 25-18, while the second was tied at 6-all, when the opposing teams agreed to call it a day because of the rain. The match resumed yesterday with SIS 1 forcing a deciding third set following its tough 25-21 victory. However, SIS 2 failed to complete the come-from-behind win when SDA regrouped and pulled off a 15-12 triumph to set up a showdown against SIS 1 for one of the four semis tickets in the division.

SIS 1 coach Mili Saiki, during the team’s huddle before the start of their game, urged her wards to go all out and help the Geckos keep the middle school perpetual trophy in her office. SIS 1 went on to respond to the challenge with a strong finish in the first set to move closer to the semis.

SDA led at 2-6 in the opening set, prompting Saiki to call an early timeout. After the wakeup call, the Geckos managed to tie the match at 9-all, before a light shower halted play. The game resumed after a few minutes with the opposing teams going back and forth before SIS 1 gained cushion in the homestretch and took a 7-point winning margin.

In the second set, the Geckos were in complete control to cruise to victory and set their semis showdown against GCA 2, who marched in the Final Four after sweeping Mt. Carmel School 2 at their turf yesterday, 25-9, 25-9.

GCA 1 also needed only two sets to eliminate Agape Christian School, 25-8, 25-11. GCA 1’s semis foe is the winner in the playoff game between Saipan Community School and MCS 1. Results of the Knights and Tsunamis tiff were unavailable at press time. The semis matches will be played on Monday, while the title game is scheduled for Tuesday.