GCA 1 beats SIS 1 in battle of unbeatens

Hye Jin Elliott and Grace Christian Academy 1 remain undefeated after beating Saipan International School 1 in the NMIVA-PSS Interscholastic Girls High School Volleyball League 2021-2022 season last Saturday at the Marianas High School Gymnasium. (MARK RABAGO)

Grace Christian Academy 1 defeated Saipan International School 1 in a meeting of undefeated teams in the NMIVA-PSS Interscholastic Girls High School Volleyball League 2021-2022 season last Saturday at the Marianas High School Gymnasium.

After Tropical Depression 20W cancelled games last Thursday, the Lady Eagles 1 made sure to whip up a storm of its own when it went up against erstwhile unblemished team, SIS 1, in one of two 9am matchups.

Like GCA 1, the Lady Geckos 1 were flying high with a 3-0 record entering their showdown. The Lady Eagles, however, gave SIS 1 a cold-blooded reminder on who currently rules the roost in high school girls volleyball, giving their opponents a neat lessons following a shockingly easy 25-15, 25-5 victory.

The Lady Eagles 1 team is made up of Karina Dilse, Clerrise Dacumos, Katriel Saures, Hye Jin Elliott, Soleil Lamar, Vicky Wang, Mint Karsuaythong, Eunice Pagaduan, and Allyssa Omampo. GCA 1 is now 4-0 after the win, while SIS fell to 3-1.

In other games last Saturday, Marianas High School 1 kept pace with GCA 1 with a 25-8, 25-22 triumph over Kagman High School. MHS 1 raised its record to 4-0, while KHS fell to its third straight loss after opening the season with a win. The Lady Dolphins 1 squad includes Arisa Custodio, Abigail Decena, Madelleen Narciso, Fatima Monterubio, Julie Ann Capayas, Daejah Benavente, Rizza Relucio, Raina Avelino, Raenna Ramarui, Kalista Klaver, and Kina Rangamar.

MHS 2 leveled its record to 2-2 after exacting a 25-16, 21-25, 15-7 nipping of sister team MHS 3. Mt. Carmel School 1 also found itself on the winning side after dismantling winless Saipan Southern High School 1, 25-10, 25-19. It was the third win in four outings for MCS 1.

MCS 3 also raised its record to 3-1 following its tough three-set win over SIS 2, 16-25, 25-13, 15-9. SIS remained winless after four contests. MCS 2 is now at .500 after grinding out a 19-25, 25-21, 15-13 nail-biter against KHS. In the final game, SIS 1 bounced back from its loss to GCA 1 earlier in the day with a 27-25, 22-35, 15-10 victory over MHS 3. It was the fourth win in five tries for SIS 1.

Public School System athletic program director Nick Gross said girls high school volleyball will make up Thursday’s cancelled games today, Sept. 27, also at the MHS Gym.

“Regarding the postponed play from Thursday, Sept. 23, we will plan to play those games on Monday, Sept. 27. Please make appropriate plans,” he said in an email message to all participating teams.

Makeup games today start at 4:30pm with MCS 1 taking on SIS 1 and MCS 2 facing SSHS 1. The 5:30pm twin games will have SSHS 2 squaring off against MCS 3 and GCA 2 hoping for an upset against sister team GCA 1. The finals games of the six-game set will then have MHS 2 challenging KHS and SIS 2 testing MHS 3.