‘2022 NMPG highlight of NMIVA’

Andrew Johnson bumps the ball during a set of their beach volleyball game with partner Logan Mister in the 2022 Northern Marianas Pacific Mini Games held last June at the Crowne Plaza Saipan sand courts.(QUINN BREADY)

The Northern Mariana Islands Volleyball Association’s highlight was undoubtedly the 2022 Northern Marianas Pacific Mini Games, according to newly elected president Chris Nelson.

“Highlight of 2022 was definitely hosting the 2022 Mini Games at Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan beach and the great performance of our men’s and women’s teams. We would like to send out a big thank you to all the hard work that went into the hosting, the coaching, the training, and the playing,” said Nelson.

The NMI’s Logan Mister and Andrew Johnson settled for silver after they lost the third set against Vanuatu’s Chillia James and Banga Stivano at the Crowne Plaza sand courts in the finale of the beach volleyball competition of the NMPMG.

NMIVA thought it was the best volleyball venue that the Pacific Games has ever had and was also said so by visiting players and coaches, added Nelson.

Nelson also acknowledged former NMIVA president Somia Quan’s hardwork and effort she put into the Games, along with NMI National Volleyball coach Tyce Mister for “put[ting] together a strong training program to get our players ready. Our players showed great skill and sportsmanship, and the fans from around the Marianas came out to support.”  

As for what 2023 has in store for the association, NMIVA has reinstalled two sand courts at the Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan beach and Nelson thanks them as well as the Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality “for giving us the right environmental guidance in replacing the courts that were removed for the games.”  

Nelson said that they are also “looking forward to a great year of volleyball in the Marianas as we prepare for the Micronesian Games and Pacific Games.”

According to NMIVA’s 2022 annual report, “with the completion of the Pacific Mini Games, the NMIVA board continues to prioritize training for the next set of Games… in the Micro and Pacific Games. Open communication has continually been made with the selected coach, Mike Rabago from Guam, in hopes of creating another event here on Saipan in preparation for the upcoming Micro and Pacific Games.”

Also in the report, “with the success of the 2022 Pacific Mini Games, the board members have made a strong effort to continue to promote and encourage the community to participate in various volleyball activities. The focus of the board is to enhance and strengthen the knowledge of the community’s involvement in volleyball in hopes to achieve a higher level of playing and broaden the opportunities available.”

Other volleyball games were also set up in 2022 and in 2023 with the continuation of the Public School System’s volleyball indoor and grass youth league tournaments.

Along with this, the NMIVA also assisted in volleyball community outreach events such as the Boonie Babies’ “Sets for Pets” volleyball fundraising event, Substance Abuse Addiction Rehabilitation (SAAR)-Recovery month grass volleyball event; beach volleyball tournament at Hyatt volleyball courts with six teams and 21 participants; and from Dec. 17 to 30, 2022, the Agape Christmas Volleyball Tournament at Agape gymnasium.

The NMIVA board then thanked everyone for their assistance for the success of the 2022 NMPMG and said “Many events and activities have been made possible… due to the active cooperation of the board members and the community. We are grateful for all the assistance that was provided which made the completion of the 2022 Pacific Mini Games a huge success and we look forward to participating in the future games and possibly hosting a few tournaments in the new year.”