Shag squeaks by Steamers by three in Rocball

There was another close call for Shag in the battle between the experienced elder statesmen and the servin’ students, as the Steamers came within three points of pulling off an upset, as the World Organized Rocball Interscholastic and Community League continued Friday at the Marianas High School Gymnasium.

Shag survived the brush with defeat by knocking off the Steamers 42-39 in just more than three sets, but the win was anything but convincing. The experienced Shag took two of the sets, and were leading in the incomplete fourth.

In the first set, Shag was moving up and down in the points like a roller coaster, as they surrendered a point three times during the match. They were able to thwart the Steamers’ advances to win the first 17-13.

Shag kept the momentum on their side, as they were able to create a little bit of distance against their opponent with the 15-10 win. Going into the third set, Shag was ahead of the Steamers 32-23 overall, and they seemed to be in control of the flow.

Everything changed in the third when the Steam-team unleashed a world of hurt upon Shag, spanking the squad of studs 15-7. The overall score was almost even, as the Steamers was just a point behind at 39-38 with only one set to play.

The time was flying by, and there was no way that 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. It was a race to score as many points in the fourth, and Shag won.

The siren sounded and the set was halted with Shag ahead 3-1 amidst the students filing through the doors to attend P.E.

With the win, Shag finished out the regular season by improving their record to 5-1, and they are in second place behind the undefeated Ghasias Brothers. The Brothers improved their record to 3-0 last Thursday, Oct. 14, after having a difficult time with the Steamers as well.

On the other side of the court, the Steamers dropped into a tie for fifth place in the seven-team league with a record of 2-4.

Their season is over for now, but the Ghasias Brothers return to action when they take to the court against the Mwaliyas this afternoon at 12:30pm at the MHS Gym.

Overall, Shag scored a goal, tallied three aces, and eight kees, compared to the three aces, three kees, and two xunks by the Steamers.

Shag had more points in the match, and they also had the game’s standout, as Myron Laniyo was named the Heavy Hitter, scoring a kee, a goal, and a Jam to lead his team in the victory.

The action of Rocball continues this afternoon at MHS court, when the Shag takes on the Local Boys. All of the aces, xunks, kees, and goals return under the supervision of the game’s creator Jim Feger at noon.