SIS, DMS stun opponents in MS boys v-ball

Saipan International School’s Moshe Sikkel, right, tries to block a spike attempt from a Grace Christian Academy varsity volleyball player during their game on Tuesday in the continuation of the NMIVA-PSS Interscholastic Middle School Volleyball League 2022-2023 at the Marianas High School Gymnasium. (LEIGH GASES)

The Saipan International School Geckos and DanDan Middle School Tottots boys varsity volleyball team stunned their opponents in the continuation of the NMIVA-PSS Interscholastic Middle School Volleyball League 2022-2023.

The Geckos had a whirlwind three-set game against a worthy adversary, the Grace Christian Academy Eagles, while the Tottots took on the undefeated Tanapag Middle School Tatagas and won in two sets on Tuesday at the Marianas High School Gymnasium.

Right from the get-go, the Geckos and Eagles had their eyes on the prize with back-to-back points landing for both teams. 

Led by the tall middle-blocker and main spiker Moshe Sikkel, the Geckos’ defense was almost impenetrable, handing the first set win, 21-15.

The Eagles’ roster of Maximus Taitano, Rooney Gil, Andy Kim, Michael Miller, Justin Ma, and Kenny Zheng then came back with a vengeance in the second set and mimicked the points from the first set, 21-15. 

Then, in the last set, it was a fight to the finish but the Geckos’ Daniel and Theo Joab, Nason Wessel, Aiden Camacho, Sikkel, Landon Pudney, and Allan Cabrera put their game into fifth gear and won, 15-7.

This is the fourth win for the Geckos and are now the only undefeated team left in the season.

On the other court earlier in the afternoon, the Tottots took on the undefeated Tatagas and broke their streak after an assail of well placed returns and serves by the rotation of Jordan Agulto, Rodel Apostol, Christopher and Tyler Cruz, Arvin Hornejas, Shayne Ngircheungel, Matthew Peters, Kallan Seidler, Dane Tibayan, Bernard Villagomez, Andrei Viola, Endree Yangilmau, and Joshua Yorormad, won the game in two sets, 21-16, 21-10.

In other results that afternoon, Hopwood Middle School handed the Mount Carmel School Knights their fifth loss after two sets, 21-9, 21-16; Agape Christian School won against ChaCha OceanView Middle School, 21-16, 21-13; and Saipan Community School JV defeated SIS JV, 21-15, 21-9.

In Pool A standings, TMS and DMS are tied at the lead with 4 wins and 1 loss; SCS is still 2-2; HMS is at 2-3; and MCS have yet to win with 5 losses.

In Pool B Standings, SIS leads with their 4 wins; Agape Christian School is at 3-1; GCA is 3-2; FMS is still 1-2; and COVMS have yet to win with 4 losses.

In the junior varsity standings, HMS has 2 wins; DMS has a 2-1 card; and SCS is 1-1; COVMS has 1 loss; and SIS has 2 losses.