Lady Dolphins complete unbeaten season

Marianas High School completed its perfect season with a masterful 25-19, 25-16 victory over Saipan International School in the finals of the 2014-2015 Marianas Interscholastic Sports Organization Girls Volleyball League last Saturday at the MHS Gymnasium.

The Marianas High School Lady Dolphins celebrate their second straight title in the Marianas Interscholastic Sports Organization Girls Volleyball League. MHS defeated SIS in the finals last Saturday in their home court at the MHS Gymnasium. (Jon Perez)

MHS swept all of its 10 games in the elimination round then breezed through in the final tournament to clinch the first finals berth and the twice-to-beat incentive that goes with it. Overall, the Lady Dolphins finished with a 15-0 record.

The Lady Dolphins successfully defended the title that they snatched from 2013 champions Grace Christian Academy last year.

MHS, since dropping the opening set in its first game against the GCA Lady Eagles, never dropped a frame after that in its 15-game winning run.

It was also a fitting send off for the seven seniors of Lady Dolphins coach Cathy Winkfield’s players.

Havika Farro, Shanna Flores, Russel Javan, Beryl Kohnen, Jenny Lee, Hercia Nekaifes, and Sabrina Pangelinan are all graduating after the school year.

SIS played catch up most of the match as MHS built an early lead, which they carefully protected up to the final whistle.

MHS moved to match point at 24-14 after an SIS error but the Lady Geckos’ hopes were kept alive by back-to-back mishits by the Lady Dolphins.

Emily Jones found a hole on the SIS defense at the middle to end the Lady Geckos’ slim chances of forcing a third set.

Jubilation erupted from the pro MHS crowd when SIS failed to return that Jones hit.

“It was a tough season for us despite going undefeated. It wasn’t an easy task but I’m glad my team responded to the challenge,” said a still ecstatic Winkfield after the game.

The Lady Dolphins will have a different composition next year, and this early Winkfield is hoping that the remaining players would work harder to keep the crown at MHS.

“We’re going to train harder to remain at the top. The remaining girls will come back and hopefully we could repeat,” said Winkfield.

MHS defeated Agape Christian Academy, Mt. Carmel School, SIS, and GCA in the double-elimination round. The Lady Dolphins scored a 25-21, 25-16 win over the Lady Eagles to seal the first finals spot.

SIS, after dropping in the loser’s bracket, scored a 25-16, 25-22 win over MCS to keep its title hopes alive. The Lady Geckos clinched the second championship berth with a 25-13, 26-24 decision.