Nelson-McDonald continue to shine on sand

Chris Nelson and Mark McDonald can just about start packing their bags for Samoa as the duo won another one of the Northern Mariana Islands Volleyball Association’s qualifying tournaments on Sunday at the Pacific Islands Club.

The tandem topped an 11-team slate to take its third straight men’s qualifier, while E.J. Lee and Linda Anastacio combined to take their first women’s crown on the San Antonio sand.

After getting a bye in the first round, Nelson-McDonald dispatched Russ Quinn and Bill Owens, 21-12, before eking out a two-point win over Tyce Mister and Bruce Berline, 21-19. Nelson-McDonald wrapped up their preliminary rounds by dropping Randy Steele and Dan “Barno” Westphal, 21-10, to reach the finals where Quinn-Owens handed them their first loss of the day in a thriller, 23-21.

Faced with their stiffest competition, Nelson-McDonald played tough and walked away with a 15-13 win in the finale to take a huge lead in the qualification race to represent the CNMI in the Pacific Games next summer.

The action was just as hot on the women’s side as Lee and Anastacio survived the six team field to win their first tournament of the series with a solid victory over Kelley Butcher and Heather Kennedy in the finals, 21-16.

After opening the day with a 21-11 win over Amber Roberts and Rima Halaby, Lee-Anastacio engaged in a pair of nail biters against top opponents. Nikki Shyrack and Angie Mister gave the eventual champs all they could handle, but Lee-Anastacio eked out a 23-21 win before winning another marathon match against Butcher-Kennedy, 24-22, to reach the finals.

Tournament coordinator Jon Cramer was impressed with the turnout and said that a number of teams that stepped up to play and that the level of competition continues to rise each week.

“What a great turn out! We had six ladies teams and 11 men’s teams. Lots of people were playing for fun and others trying to feel out their partner for the next five qualifiers,” he said.

According to Cramer, solid setter Gin Gridley and Laurie Peterka have committed to playing together, while the youthful combo of Nina Mosley and Melissa Halaby have joined forces as well. “Anything could happen with five more qualifiers,” he said.

There next qualifier in San Antonio is set for Dec. 3 at 1pm and continues in the New Year when the post-holiday action resumes on Jan. 7, 2007 and Jan. 21.

The tournament slate has two February dates as well on Feb. 4, 2007 at 1pm and Feb. 10, but quality play isn’t enough to get a ticket to the Pacific Games.

Points will be awarded based upon the team’s performance in the tournaments. First place squads earn 10 points for their efforts on the sand, runners-up bring home eight points, third place garners six points, fourth place finishers take four points, and fifth place counts as two points toward qualifying for the CNMI team.

The cost to participate in each of the tournaments is $5 per person for NMIVA members and $10 for non-members.

Qualifying tournaments are open to everyone but the results of the qualification series will count as 65-percent of the selection process. In addition to the qualifiers, NMIVA is offering a series of volleyball clinics at the Pacific Islands Club with veteran player Russ Quinn every Wednesday through Feb. 7, 2007.

All participants will be rewarded for their commitment as attendance at the clinics count for 20 percent of the qualification process. Each session counts as two points toward making the cut and those who miss out more than half of the clinics will lose their eligibility altogether.

The final 15 percent of the process comes at the discretion of coach Quinn, who will make his rankings based upon overall fitness and shape, attitude, cooperation, skill level, and technique (passing, setting, spiking, and service).