ACS splits JV and varsity matches in girls v-ball

An Agape Christian School varsity player attempts to spike against Marianas High School in their previous match in the 2022-2023 PSS Girls High School Volleyball League at the MHS Gymnasium.(LEIGH GASES)

Agape Christian School girls varsity volleyball team beat Kagman High School, while their junior varsity team lost to Saipan Southern High School last Tuesday in the continuation of the Public School System Girls High School Volleyball League 2022-2023 at the Marianas High School Gymnasium.

The Torchbearers lit up the already sweltering court in two sets, with the first set a very close match against the Ayuyus, 23-21. In the second set, ACS breathed a little easier as ball after fiery ball made it over their opponents’ net, resulting in their 21-7 win.

With this win, the Torchbearers broke their tie with the KagHS at 4-3, while the Ayuyus are now at the opposite end at 3-4.

The Torchbearers’ junior varsity team wrangled with Mount Carmel School, which they lost after three tough sets.

ACS lost in the first set, 17-21, bounced back and won the second set 22-20, but ultimately lost the game after losing in the deciding tiebreaker third set, 8-15. 

“Our varsity team has overcome some difficulties in the early season games but in today’s game the girls showed that their forms are coming back nicely. As long as they perform at the level they can, they are going to challenge the other teams in the championship games,” said ACS administrator Kok H. Pang.

With the junior varsity team, he said, “ACS JV team is [made up of] new developmental players—only started playing in last few months. They did okay by winning four games and lost five games.”

The Torchbearers varsity team includes Jiaxin Chen, Yilin Huang, Aiyuan Pang, Xu Ren, Eunice Xu, Jenny Xu, Ruth Zhang, Shuang Zhao, and Yijing Zhuang.

In other results for the night, Saipan Southern High School junior varsity defeated Saipan International School in two sets, 21-12, 22-20.

Meanwhile, undefeated Grace Christian Academy bested Marianas High School in two sets, 21-12, 21-7.

In the varsity standings, GCA is still on top at 6-0, MCS is 5-1, MHS is 3-4, SIS is at 3-1, and SSHS is at 1-6.

In the junior varsity standings, GCA and MHS 9 are at 5-1, SSHS is at 5-3, MHS JV is at 4-2, ACS is at 3-4, MCS and SIS are at 3-5, and KHS is at 2-4.

Today is the last game of the regular season. The playoffs will start on Thursday, Oct. 20 at 6:15pm. This gives ample time for the teams to recuperate before the postseason.

The Public School System Girls High School Volleyball League 2022-2023 is being held with help from the Northern Mariana Islands Volleyball Association.