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GCA 1 still undefeated
Grace Christian Academy 1’s Juruel Magtalas serves to Agape Christian School during their middle school division game in the 2018-2019 Commonwealth Coalition of Private Schools Association Volleyball League last Thursday at the GCA court. (Roby N. Pamintuan)
Grace Christian Academy 1 stayed atop the team standings in the middle school division of the 2018-2019 Commonwealth Coalition of Private Schools Association Volleyball League as it defeated Agape Christian School 1 in straight sets.
The Eagles defended their home court against ACS 1, taking a 25-13 win in the first set and a 25-10 victory in the second to complete the sweep last Thursday. With its another triumph, GCA 1 remains unbeaten this season, hiking its record to 13-0, while the Torchbearers now hold a 10-3 slate.
The Torchbearers had the lead during the early stages of the first set, but the Eagles’ Katriel Saures, Hye Jin Elliot, and Soleil Lamar each strung consecutive aces, while the rest of the Eagles hustled on defense to counter ACS 1’s offensive efforts for the 12-point win.
Then in the second set, Juruel Magtalas sparked GCA’s explosive start with 10 consecutive overhand serves, while Kean Pajarillaga and Camille Sablan also scored several points off their serves to help seal the win for the Eagles. ACS 1’s Bobby Heng and David Zheng delivered several hard-hitting spikes, but their efforts were not enough to defeat GCA 1.
With last week’s game in the books, both GCA and Agape 1 are now shifting their focus to the playoff round.
“We’ve been getting ready for the playoffs by practicing our serves and working on how we ought to play against the opposing teams. Personally, I’ll be working on my serving and setting,” said Magtalas, who leads GCA’s set plays.
In other results last week, Saipan International School defeated Mt. Carmel School, 25-17, 11-25, 15-11 and Saipan Community School beat Seventh Day Adventist, 25-18, 25-19. GCA 2 and ACS 2’s game last Thursday was rained-out.
Meanwhile, the playoff round is originally set to start this Wednesday, but no final date has been set as off press time last night, as a couple more rescheduled matches still have to be played. The first round of the playoffs will feature the following pairings: No. 1 vs No. 8; No. 2 vs No. 7; No. 3 vs No. 6; and No. 4 vs No. 5. It will have a single-elimination format and games will take place at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.
