Peterka-Kennedy going to the show

The talented tandem of Laurie Peterka and Heather Kennedy survived four Northern Mariana Islands Volleyball Association qualifying rounds and a head-to-head contest with a pair of Saipan’s rising stars to earn the right to represent the CNMI on the beach in the 2006 Micronesian Games.

Peterka-Kennedy followed up months of consistency with a day in the sun as the combo used its communication, experience, and precise passing to overcome half of last year’s Mini Games team Melissa Halaby and Private Schools Volleyball League MVP Lena Guzman in straight sets at the Pacific Islands Club.

The CNMI’s latest qualifying team took the battle to the youngsters right from the start by taking a large lead, but the resilient Halaby-Guzman combo pulled to within two points midway through the first set, 14-12.

The cagey veterans refused to submit to Halaby Guzman, as Peterka-Kennedy held on to draw first blood in the best-of-three affair, 21-17.

The second set saw more of the same dominance, as Peterka-Kennedy maintained focus and found the corners to gain an early advantage. Halaby’s aggressive style accounted for a slew of points, but in the end, Peterka-Kennedy proved too much for the striving students, and took the crown with a convincing 21-14 win.

Both Peterka and Kennedy said that they are looking forward toward representing the CNMI on the sand, while Halaby will still participate in the Games as a member of the indoor squad. After missing the boat on the floor team, the talented Guzman said that she’s switching gears and looking forward to playing basketball in the Private Schools Basketball League.

After emerging from four rounds of NMIVA’s qualifying tournaments with 100 points, Peterka-Kennedy earned the top spot in the final showdown with a pair of firsts, a second, and a fifth place tournament finish, while Halaby-Guzman was second best with 84 points in the qualifying series with a second, two thirds, and a fifth place finish.

Peterka-Kennedy now joins Tyce Mister and Chris Nelson to complete the CNMI’s beach line-ups for this summer’s Games, and together with alternate Nick Castro will take on all comers. The only question that remains is where the Micro Games will take place. While all are disappointed that the Games will not be played in Saipan, all are ready to give their all against the best the region has to offer.