GCA, SIS edge opponents in MS boys v-ball

Grace Christian Academy’s Rooney Gil, right, attempts to block a spike from Agape Christian School’s Yang Song during their game in the NMIVA-PSS Interscholastic Middle School Volleyball League 2022-2023 last Thursday at the Marianas High School Gymnasium. (LEIGH GASES)

The Grace Christian Academy Eagles and Saipan International School Geckos edged their opponents in the NMIVA-PSS Interscholastic Middle School Volleyball League 2022-2023 last Thursday at the Marianas High School Gymnasium.

The Eagles swooped past the Agape Christian School Torchbearers in two sets, 21-14, 21-19, in a revenge-fueled game after they lost the previous game last Feb. 2, and handed the Torchbearers their first loss of the season.

Maximus Taitano of the Eagles leveraged on his position as the spiker and landed untouchable shot after shot over Torchbearer territory. 

Middle blocker Rooney Gil along with Andy Kim and Michael Miller were all on the defensive as their well-angled soft touches at the net and jump blocks assisted in keeping the Torchbearers at bay.

Justin Ma and Kenny Zheng completed the Eagles’ starting six, while the Torchbearers’ rotation include Zihen Cai, Huaen Chen, Ziqian Cheng, Reyviel Escarlan, Haozheng Huang, Scott Shi, Yang Song, Haoyue Yang, and Shengshi Yang.

Saipan International School’s Moshe Sikkel, right, smacks a point down against a Francisco M. Sablan Middle School player during their game in the NMIVA-PSS Interscholastic Middle School Volleyball League 2022-2023 last Thursday at the Marianas High School Gymnasium. (LEIGH GASES()

In the Geckos’ game against the Francisco M. Sablan Middle School Napu Riders, the Geckos replicated their first set win 21-10, 21-10. 

Moshe Sikkel used his height to full advantage as he blocked returns and spiked each attack that stuck on his sticky palms. A few aces up the sleeves of his teammates Daniel and Theo Joab also allowed the Geckos to pull away further from the Lancherus.

Nason Wessel, Aiden Camacho, Landon Pudney, and Allan Cabrera complete the Geckos line up, while the Napu Riders rotation include Kyle Tabenas, Aiden Gimed, Sean Morilla, Dezmon Camacho, Sean Digimon, Michael Elayda, Jairoh Guilas, Frank Lamanlan, D’Anthony Aldan, Xiaolin Guo, Vince Eusebio, Gian Antonio, Simon Camacho, Gairus Pangelinan, and Luke Yobech.

In other results that night, Saipan Community School beat Mount Carmel School, 15-21, 21-18, 15-12; Dandan Middle School varsity defeated Hopwood Middle School, 21-9, 21-15; and Dandan Middle School JV beat COVMS JV, 21-8, 21-17.

In Pool A standings, TMS is still on top with three wins; DMS and SCS are at 2-1; HMS is at 1-2;  and Mount Carmel School have yet to win with four losses.

In Pool B Standings, ACS leads with three wins and one loss; SIS and GCA both improved to 2-1; FMS is 1-3; and COVMS has three losses.
In the junior varsity standings, DMS lead with a 2-1 card; HMS has one win; SCS JV and COVMS have one loss each.