Previous Story
NMIVA announces Micro Games qualifiers
|
Posted on Jan 06 2006
The Northern Mariana Islands Volleyball Association announced the latest ways for beachside bombers and hardcourt leapers to earn a spot representing the CNMI in this summer’s Micronesian Games, and they get started as soon as this weekend.
All of the aspiring indoor volleyball players will get their shot at earning a spot today, Jan. 7, at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium when coaches Kitinan Intharaluk, Taula Peter, and Mili Saiki will mentor and evaluate local talent.
The men will be the first to use the Oleai facility when they take the floor from 9am to noon, and after a brief break for lunch, the women take the rubberized surface from 1pm to 4pm.
While NMIVA has had plenty of success drawing females to the tryouts, NMIVA secretary Steve Nguyen said that there has been some difficulty attracting men to the open tryouts.
“We had a really good turnout for the women’s team, but we were a little disappointed on the men’s side because we know there are a lot of great of indoor men’s players. So far we haven’t seen a lot of them turn out for the tryouts. Were hoping that there is a big turnout for this weekend’s tryouts,” he said.
In an effort to reach out to more of the Commonwealth’s players, NMIVA is currently looking to send coaches to Tinian to scout their talent.
The tentative plans include sending Intharaluk and Saiki across the channel to assist with Tinian’s tryouts. NMIVA may also help pay for half of cost to have Tinian’s players come to Saipan to participate in tournaments.
On the beach side, NMIVA will be hosting the next men’s qualifier in the sand at the Fiesta Resort and Spa on Saturday, Jan. 14, while the women will take Pacific Islands Club court a week later on Saturday, Jan. 21.
While the location for the fourth men’s qualifier has yet to be determined, the date is all set for Saturday, Jan. 28. The women already have their venue secured, as they return to the PIC on Saturday, Feb. 4.
For more info, call Taula 322-9263 taulap@gmail.com or NMIVA head coach Intharaluk at 235-6231 ext. 5147.
