MCS, GCA top opponents

A Mt. Carmel School varsity team player hits the ball during an earlier game against Saipan International School 2 in the CCOPSA volleyball league at the SIS court in As Lito. (Saipan Tribune)

Mt. Carmel School notched a pair of victories, while Grace Christian Academy also prevailed in the girls division game in the 2018-2019 Commonwealth Coalition of Private Schools Association Volleyball League last Tuesday.

The Lady Eagles vaulted over Saipan International School 1, winning the match played at former’s home court in Navy Hill after only two sets, 25-6, 25-12. With the sweep, GCA pushed its record to a league-leading 7-1, while SIS 1 was handed its first defeat of the season after securing victories in its first three games.

In other results, Mt. Carmel recorded twin wins in separate venues.

Over at the MCS’ court in Chalan Kanoa, the Lady Knights’ varsity team eked out a three-set triumph over SIS 2. MCS dropped the opening set, 21-25, but took the last two, 26-24, 15-7, to foil SIS 2’s upset bid. The Lady Knights and Lady Geckos fought tooth and nail in the second set with MCS showing poise in the end and then riding on their momentum to cruise to victory in the decider. With the tough win, MCS varsity improved to a 7-2 record and kept the No. 2 spot in the team standings, while SIS 2 slid to a 1-4 mark.

After escaping past SIS 2, MCS varsity captain Louisa Han has called on her teammates to work harder on their chemistry. She acknowledged that the need for her team to gel must take place now and this will only be possible through having more practice sessions.

“Knowing the season is coming to an end, my team and I will be having extra practices,” Han said. “We will strengthen our teamwork and work on the physical and mental aspects of our game to help build the confidence we need. Building that confidence will help us handle the pressure on the court.”

MCS junior varsity duplicated the varsity squad’s triumph after slipping past Agape Christian School, 25-20, 18-25, 15-10, at the Torchbearers’ turf in Gualo Rai. It was MCS JV’s second win against six losses, while Agape has only one victory to show so far after eight games.

Meanwhile, the game between between GCA and MCS varsity team was reset, while SIS 1 was slated to meet host Agape in the other girls division match yesterday. The rescheduled games along with other make-up matches are expected to be played this week, as organizers are aiming to kick off the playoffs next week.