U-19 team optimistic despite so-so showing in Guam tourney

Northern Mariana Islands Volleyball Association youth development head of indoor programs Darcy Wylie knows that it will take a few more practice sessions before the boys Under-19 team could play more cohesively.

CNMI boys’ Under-19 co-team captain Andrew Johnson hopes the connection and camaraderie that was formed during a recent tournament in Guam would continue. (Jon Perez)

Wylie, along with coaches Codie Sayles and Tinian Junior Senior High School’s Jonathan San Nicolas accompanied the team to their first ever tournament, the U19 Guam Volleyball Festival, in Guam last week.

“With this being our first tournament playing together, it took everyone some time to find our rhythm. By the end of the tournament, the boys were playing much better, but it was too late at that point,” said Wylie.

She added that most of the teams they faced in the Guam U19 tournament were either together all season long or had been playing together for a few years.

“The other teams had great team chemistry and were explosive hitters. The other teams also made few errors, such as serving out of bounds or touching the net, which is what plagued us all tournament long.”

Co-captain Andrew Johnson also backed Wylie’s statement adding that teams that have players who could connect with each other are among the best.

“Our team started to connect as we learned more about each other and became even closer friends throughout the trip. This connection brought our team to play much better on the court, as we won our first game against John F. Kennedy High School,” added Johnson, who is joined by Karlo De Leon.

Despite team CNMI finishing sixth with a 1-9 record, where its lone win was against John F. Kennedy High School, Wylie remained optimistic.

“We have the same potential with our team, but lack the experience thus far. Without the errors, I believe that our team would have been on the same level with most of the other teams.”

The team, however, would be losing seniors Johnson, Toshio Takayama, Jae Hyun Lee, and Won Woo Choi due to graduation.

“We’re going to keep the team intact as possible. We’re going to lose some players, but we’re hoping that they might be able to play with us again in other tournaments in the future, should circumstances allow,” said Wylie.

The boys and girls U19 teams resumed their training in preparation for the Yap Games 2015 set from July 18 to 31 where Wylie is hoping to send both squads to the competition.

“But we will need to do a lot of fundraising first. The CNMI All-Stars are currently looking for fundraising or sponsorship opportunities, as Yap Games will cost about $800 per player for airfare.”