NMIVA hits the beach despite conditions

The Northern Mariana Islands Volleyball Association is going ahead with its third round of qualifying action on the beach this morning without regard for the wind and rain forecasted, as the men aspiring to represent the CNMI in the 2006 Micronesian Games will put their skills on display on the Fiesta Resort & Spa sand.

With only five months to go before the Games, the race to represent the Commonwealth is too close to call. There are still no clear cut leaders among the men’s division as the tandem of Marino Pungilug and Jess Palacios is locked with Quincy Johnson and Kaycee Rengaelur atop the rankings with 30 points.

The big question looming over today’s the competition is whether or not Palacios will join Pungilug at the Fiesta. As late as yesterday afternoon, Palacios was unable to get the day-off of work. While this may put one of the CNMI’s dominating duo’s Micro Games hopes in jeopardy, NMIVA president Jon Cramer reminded all competitors that consistency and dependability are just as important as talent.

Pungilug is all set for today’s fray, but it remains to be seen if or whom he will select to join him on the Garapan sand.

Kitinan Intharaluk and Taula Peter teamed up to take second place in the first qualifier, while Palacios joined Andrew Ortega to bag second at the Hyatt the last time out, and both teams have 26 points.

On the women’s side as Stephanie Arnold and Jazmine Anastacio are all alone in first place with 48 points after back-to-back top five finishes on the sand. The duo managed to take fourth in their first outing as a team before surging to the forefront with a first place finish on the Hyatt sand.

They’ll have a chance to create some space next weekend when the women’s qualifier enters its third round of bumps, sets, and spikes for the beach team rights on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2006.

Arnold-Anastacio holds a four-point lead over Laurie Peterka and Heather Kennedy, as they earned their 44 points by winning out at the Pacific Islands Club before falling to fifth place in the last qualifier at the Hyatt.

Benylynn Mettao and Sia Dela Cruz are tied for second with a pair of third place finishes, while 2005 Mini Games star Melissa Halaby and the most valuable player from the Private Schools Indoor Volleyball League, Lena Guzman, are in fourth place with 40 points.

While the location for the fourth men’s qualifier has yet to be determined, the date is all set for Jan. 28. The women already have their venue secured, as they return to the PIC on Feb. 4.

The fee for the two-on-two action is $5 for NMIVA members and $10 for all others.

For more info, call Taula 322-9263 taulap@gmail.com or NMIVA head coach Nan Intharaluk at 235-6231 ext. 5147.