Shag pulls one out over Mwaliyas

There was a close fall for Shag in the battle between the experienced elder statesmen and the serving students, as Mwaliyas was just a few points shy of pulling off an upset, as action in the World Organized Rocball Interscholastic and Community League continued yesterday at the Marianas High School Gymnasium.

Shag survived the brush with defeat by knocking off the Mwaliyas 53-43 in three and a third sets by doing what all good teams do: Win the close games. Shag was able to edge the competition in every set with the exception of the incomplete fourth.

In the first set, the Mwaliyas proved that they were not afraid of the more experienced Shag, and they took it to the wire in a 15-17 loss. Both of the teams were fired up and ready to go for the second, and the result was very similar, though Shag was able to widen the margin of victory to 4 points, 16-12.

Shag relied on their skills and experience to repeat the feat in the third set, as they took Mwaliyas out 16-13. The time was flying by, and the only question remaining was whether or not the teams would be able to finish the fourth and final set in time for the completion of the lunch period and the resumption of classes.

The siren answered that question as the set was halted with the Mwaliyas ahead 5-4 amidst the hooting and a hollering inside the gym.

With the win, Shag improved their record to 4-1, and they are in second place behind the undefeated Ghasias Brothers, who are 2-0. On the other side of the court, Mwaliyas dropped to sixth place in the seven-team league with a record of 2-4. They return to action when they take to the court against the Ghasias Brothers next Monday, Oct. 18, while Shag returns tomorrow in a match with the Steamers.

Overall, Mwaliyas scored a pair of goals, but Shag held the advantage with 9 aces, 7 kees, compared to the 3 aces, 3 kees, and a xunk, by the Mwaliyas.

While Shag may have had more points, the Mwaliyas had the game’s standout, as Darryl Roligat was named the Heavy Hitter, scoring 2 aces, a kee, and a goal to lead his team despite the loss.

The action of Rocball continues this afternoon at MHS court, when the Ghasias Brothers take on the Steamers. All of the aces, xunks, kees, and goals return under the supervision of the game’s creator Jim Feger at 12:30pm.