NMIVA names Mini Games team

Charnessa Lizama, left, Kathy Winkfield will represent the CNMI in the women’s beach volleyball competition of the Northern Marianas Pacific Mini Games 2022.(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

The Northern Mariana Islands Volleyball Association has named its men’s and women’s national teams for the beach volleyball competition of the Northern Marianas Pacific Mini Games 2022.
Mini Games national beach volleyball coach Tyce Mister named to the men’s team Andrew Johnson and Logan Mister, while named to the women’s team are Kathy Winkfield and Charnessa Lizama.

Johnson said he’s definitely looking forward to representing his home islands in the quadrennial event set next month.

“I feel very humbled and motivated to represent the NMI in the upcoming Mini Games. I grew up playing beach volleyball on Saipan and took my game to the next level when I moved to California for college. Since then, I’ve been playing in lots of tournaments up and down the coast and am confident going into the Mini Games, especially with Logan as my partner.”

The Saipan International School alumnus said he’s very confident with the abilities of his doubles partner, Mister, and both of them will do their best to make the home crowd proud of them.

CNMI Men’s Beach Volleyball Team Andrew Johnson, left, and Logan Mister after a training session at a beach in San Luis Obispo, California.(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

“Logan is a very dedicated and easygoing young man, and he’s got a bright future ahead of him. Right now we are in San Luis Obispo (my home on California’s central coast) doing drills, training, and/or playing games every day. We are also going to be playing in two high level tournaments during the next couple weekends in Santa Cruz and Santa Barbara.”

He and Mister are set to arrive on Saipan on June 7 and plan to continue training until the Mini Games begin.

“Training consists of mostly weightlifting, plyometrics, cardio, drills, games, and of course eating healthy meals. We are very excited for this opportunity to represent our community on the same beach where we grew up playing.”

Mister, for his part, said it feels great to be selected to the national team, especially that he’s following the footsteps of his father, Tyce, who with Chris Nelson won a gold medal in the 2006 Micronesian Games on Saipan. He teamed up with his father and represented the CNMI in beach volleyball in the 2019 Pacific Games in Samoa.

“Both my partner and I have been working hard and are excited to show our competition that we can play. Andrew is a great partner and our skills definitely complement each other. He is the quick defensive player in the back and I am the blocker at the net. I am currently staying with Andrew in California where we are training every day for the upcoming games. We are playing in tournaments all around California because the level of play here is very high for beach volleyball,” he said.

Winkfield and Lizama echoed Johnson and Mister when asked what were their reactions after being named to the beach volleyball national team.

“I am excited and honored to be selected for the national team. I do hope my partner and I put up a good challenge against the countries participating. I feel confident in my partner’s abilities because she has a solid foundation and believe we make a strong team,” said Winkfield.

“I am honored to be selected and to represent the CNMI. My partner has the competitive edge and passion for the sport. I am confident in her skills and know we will do well in the Mini Games,” said Lizama.