NMIVA attracts more indoor players

After coaching little more than a hand full of aspiring players in its previous outing, the Northern Mariana Islands Volleyball Association received a serious boost to the men’s national team as the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium was full of excitement, thanks to a bunch of ballers that came to play.

“It’s a good turnout. There’s 14 guys out there with some new people, some veterans, and a mix of indoor and beach players,” said NMIVA vice president Taula Peter.

Persistence was the key, as NMIVA head coach Kitinan Intharaluk explained that he spent plenty of time on the coconut telegraph reminding people of the weekend workout.

“I think this time almost more than half are new players out here than the first time out. I called the players who came out last time and told them to come. I think that we will have one more tryout, but we will have to go to Tinian,” he said.

Unlike just about all of the other sports fielding teams for the 2006 Micronesian Games, NMIVA’s roster hopefuls aren’t limited to Saipan’s shores, as sources in Tinian informed volleyball’s governing body that some 10 men and somewhere between three to five women are interested in putting their skills on display.

According to Intharaluk, he may be taking a trip across the channel with Peter, women’s coach Mili Saiki, and possibly others to evaluate Tinian’s talents. While the arrangements still need to be finalized, the trip seems to be all but a certainty, and should be made within the next two weeks.

After they head to Tinian, the NMIVA coaching squad will still have to tackle the challenge of getting the standouts to practice with their teammates on Saipan. While Peter said that NMIVA will do what it can to help out by searching out sponsors and lending a hand when possible, he said that the players will have to look for solutions as well.

We will talk to the Tinian Dynasty Hotel and Casino and try to get them free trips on the ferry, but if you want to make the national team you have to put your effort in,” he said.

While the beach volleyball players have already had a good amount of time for practice and competition, Peter said that some of the difficulty of getting the indoor squad prepared is trying to find available openings in the few facilities able to host the team.

“I spoke to Mike White at the last NMASA meeting and he said that he will have the [Micronesian Games] Executive Committee talk to MHS and NMC…to try to help us out. As for the next tryouts, [acting Sports and Recreation coordinator] Joe Lizama said just to let him know when and that he would make it available [at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium],” he said.

On the beach side, NMIVA will be hosting the next men’s qualifier in the sand at the Fiesta Resort and Spa this Saturday, Jan. 14, while the women will take Pacific Islands Club court a week on Jan. 21.

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

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