V-ball teams to be finalized next week

The Northern Mariana Islands Volleyball Association will soon announce the final roster for the men’s and women’s teams that will compete in the upcoming 6th Micronesian Games in indoor volleyball.

This according to NMIVA vice president Taula Peter, who disclosed during an interview Wednesday evening that the names of players that will compete in the Games will be released by next Friday.

Peter said no decision will be made until head coach Nan Inthraluk returns from an off-island trip.

“Nan [Inthraluk] will be back by then and we’re going to go over everything and make our final cut,” Peter said.

Peter said that so far, each team comprises of 15 players. The number will decrease by three as only 12 will be on the roster.

“We’re going to wait for Nan and when he arrives, we’re going to decide whether we’re going to have alternates for the teams,” Peter said.

With the Games nearing as each day goes by, both teams have been engaged in intense training in preparation for the competition.

“So far so good,” Peter said. “The training is good. It’s challenging because with both teams, there’s not a lot of veterans, especially in the girls’ team.”

Peter said the teams comprise of several players who have experience in international competition mixed in with players who are rookies in terms of playing in an international event.

“They’re getting use to how we work out as a national team and what is expected of them,” Peter said. “It’s different from playing on a high school team or in a club.”

Peter, however, said the young cast on the teams serve as a plus for CNMI volleyball in the future as many of the young players will be getting experience.

“It’s a plus for the future,” Peter said. “Their young and they’re willing to learn. Even for the Pacific Games next year, because they made this team, they would have an advantage in making that team.”

Overall, Peter said he is happy with the progress.

“We’re happy and we’re trying to train the best we could to prepare. One thing about volleyball is that the men’s and women’s teams train and practice together, so we’re always helping each other. That gives the rookies a chance to learn from the veterans and the veterans to learn from the rookies.”

The teams practice five days a week, having sessions on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 6pm to 9pm at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium, and Saturday and Sunday sessions at the Northern Marianas College Gymnasium from 2pm to 4pm.