TMS, SIS still undefeated in MS boys v-ball

Tanapag Middle School’s Jess Peredo, left, defends the net as Hopwood Middle School’s Jay Manas tries to get the ball over in their boys varsity game in the NMIVA-PSS Interscholastic Middle School Volleyball League 2022-2023 at the Marianas high School Gymnasium. (LEIGH GASES)

The Tanapag Middle School Tatagas and Saipan International School Geckos boys varsity volleyball team are still undefeated in the NMIVA-PSS Interscholastic Middle School Volleyball League 2022-2023.

The Tatagas lead the league with four wins after their recent conquest of Hopwood Middle School Hilitais, while the Geckos preyed on the Agape Christian School Torchbearers last Thursday at the Marianas High School Gymnasium.

The Tatagas and Hilitais battled it out in the last game of the night and in the nail-biting, tie-breaking third set, a series of back-to-back points from both teams prolonged the game as the Tatagas held on by the skin of their teeth and won, 15-12.

With the Tatagas’ first set loss, 15-21, to the second set win, 21-19, they brought over their A game into the third set but they had their work caught out for them as the Hilitais also wanted the W.

However, a couple of misplaced shots and mistakes at the net by the Hilitais cost them as they gave the Tatagas’ rotation of Roman Teigita, Ethan and Stanley Magofna, Jan Aeden Cruz, Jon Aeden Pinaula, Konin McCale, Benigno Sablan, Ali Santos Jr., Collin Maratita, Jesse Peredo, Kinluk Sharry, and Wenio Wenio, the advantage—which they held onto and pulled away into the lead and won.

Meanwhile, the Geckos’ rotation of Daniel and Theo Joab, Nason Wessel, Aiden Camacho, Moshe Sikkel, Landon Pudney, and Allan Cabrera had an easier time as they sailed past ACS, 21-3, 21-8.

The Geckos stuck their bumps, sets, and spikes as the Torchbearers scrambled to connect with the ball and succumbed in a swift game.

In earlier games that afternoon, Dandan Middle School varsity slipped past Saipan Community School in three sets, 21-16, 15-21, 15-3; Saipan International School junior varsity won against HMS JV, 21-9, 20-22, 15-9; and Grace Christian Academy defeated ChaCha Ocean View Middle School varsity, 21-17, 21-11.

Mount Carmel School and SCS varsity’s game was moved to March 7.

In Pool A standings, TMS leads with their 4 wins; DMS is second with 3-1; SCS is third with 2-2; HMS is at 1-3; and MCS have yet to win with 4 losses.

In Pool B Standings, SIS leads with 3 wins; Agape Christian School is at 3-2; GCA is 3-1; FMS is still 1-2; and COVMS still has 3 losses.
In the junior varsity standings, DMS still leads with a 2-1 card; HMS has one win; and SCS, SIS, and COVMS have one loss each.