Shoot the Winkle breaks into the win column

For the first time in three outings, Shoot the Winkle finally broke into the left side of the win-loss column when the downed Team Papalatung on Thursday night in one of the closest matches of the young season, as 6th Annual Miller 4-Person Beach Volleyball League returned to the beach volleyball court at the Pacific Islands Club.

Shoot the Winkle proved that they have what it takes to win the close contests, as they were able to rebound after their 11-7 loss in the first set, to edge the TP’s 11-9 and 11-9. The sets went down to the wire, and as the Papalatungs walked off the court at 0-4,they warned other teams to never underestimate the power of the Winkle.

Shoot the Winkle returns to face Machigainai! next Tuesday, Oct. 19 at 8pm, while Team Papalatung takes on Tell Them Tom Braider Sent You in the 9pm slot.

While the Winkles closed out the night in dramatic fashion, the Dolphins of Marianas High School got things started in style as they improved their overall record to 4-1 by peeling the Bananas.

The yellow fellows looked like a ripened bunch of veterans when they downed the Dolphins in the first set 12-10, but their brown spots were revealed quickly when the under-aged overachievers went ape to win the next two 11-2 and 11-2.

The Dolphins return to the sand next Tuesday, Oct. 19, to face Bend It Like Megan at 6pm—but not until they’ve finished their homework and cleaned their rooms. The Bananas fill the 7pm match up when they battle the Bill Bratzski’s.

In the second ball-o-rama, the Sleezy Lambleezies danced with Tell Them Tom Braider Sent You to the tune of a two sets to one win. The Tom Braider’s were on fire in the first set, and it looked as if they would be able to extend their unbeaten streak to 3-0.

It was not to be, as the SL Express pulled into PIC station and won back-to-back sets 11-5 and an 11-9 squeaker.

The two talented teams may meet in the playoffs, but for now their attention is focused elsewhere. The Sleezy Lambleezies return on Thursday, Oct. 21, when they face Machigainai! at 7pm, while the Tom Braiders are back in action on Tuesday, Oct. 19, at 9pm with the TP’s.

The third match of the side out night out was between the Dragon Flares and the Clam Smackers, and it was the Clams who found themselves on the pain side of the smacking. The Flares made it a point to burn up the Clams—barbeque style—as they jumped out to a deciding 2-0 set count, 11-7 and 11-5, but flamed out in the third when the Clams smacked back, 11-9.

With the win, the Flares roared into fourth place at 3-1, while the Clams dropped into the depths of the Marianas Trench, at 1-3.

The Dragon Flares have to keep their fire stoked because they will not see action until Tuesday, Oct. 26, when they challenge Machigainai!. The Clam Smackers return for the battle for the sea when they try to smack the Dolphins on Thursday, Oct. 21, at 6pm.

All the side-outs you can handle will be doled out again next Tuesday, Oct. 19, at the PIC. If you would like further information about the 6th Annual Miller 4-Person Beach Volleyball League, contact Jon, Evan, Dennis, or Nan by calling the SEA office at 235-6231 ext. 5147.