GCA 2 still undefeated

A Grace Christian Academy 2 player, second left, sets up his teammate during the second set of their game against GCA 1 in the middle school division of the 2017-2018 Commonwealth Coalition of Private Schools Association Volleyball League last Thursday at the GCA court in Navy Hill. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Grace Christian Academy 2 kept its perfect record in the middle school division of the 2017-2018 Commonwealth Coalition of Private Schools Association Volleyball League after sweeping sister squad GCA 2, 25-17, 25-18, last Thursday at the Eagles court in Navy Hill.

GCA 2 secured its seventh win in as many games, while GCA 1 absorbed its fourth loss against three victories.

The all-GCA duel was a close match in the early part of the first set before GCA 2 played steadier in the homestretch, capitalizing on GCA 1’s errors to move a set away from taking the victory. In the second set, it was the same story with GCA 1 standing toe-to-toe with the favored GCA 2, but again the latter delivered at crutchtime for the sweep.

The second set was tied last at 17-all before GCA 2, behind the strong finish of Sam Ryu and Steven Balakrisha, went on a 8-1 windup to end the match early. Balakrishna and Ryu teamed up in GCA 2’s four unanswered points before an error return halted the rally and gave GCA 1 its 18th point. However, that was it for GCA 1, as the GCA 2 duo again delivered the needed points to seal the deal for their team. Ryu made an ace for a 22-18 advantage, while Balakrishna followed it up with a kill to up their lead to 5, 23-18. Another ace from Ryu moved GCA 2 closer to the victory, which the squad got right in the ensuing play, as Ryu served and a return from GCA 1’s Edward Kil went wide off the backcourt.

In other results in last week’s matches, Agape Christian Academy swept its two assignments, while GCA 1 won over Saipan International School before bowing to GCA 2.

Agape first outclassed Seventh Day Adventists, 25-21, 25-11, in their Feb. 6 match at the ACS court in Middle Road, and then defeated Mt. Carmel School 2 last Thursday, 25-13, 25-9.

In the GCA 1-SIS tiff, the Geckos pulled off a close 25-23 victory in the first set. GCA 1 then fought back in the second set with a 25-14 triumph to extend the match. Then in the deciding third set, GCA 1 picked up where it left off, posting a 15-7 win.

Meanwhile, games resume today with SIS hosting GCA 2 in As Lito and Mt. Carmel School 1 visiting Agape. Mt. Carmel School 2 will then head to Chalan Kiya to challenge SDA, while GCA 1 will host Saipan Community School.