AS in the finale of the boys division of the Public School System 4v4 Grass Volleyball League, the girls’ championship match was a hard-fought affair with Hopwood Middle School eventually edging Tanapag Middle School 21-19 on Saturday at the CPA Airport Field.
Although Hopwood lost to TMS in the semifinals, the Hilitais played better in the rematch.
Rizza Relucio, Elisha Henzon, Juliana Magtalas, Direnalyn Castro, Kialeen Leemarvin and Angielysha Punzalan kept Hopwood alive as they relentlessly returned each attack the TMS Tatagas threw at them.
With every point that TMS made, Hopwood had an answer. The Hilitais were persistent in keeping the ball alive and forcing TMS to commit errors.
With wind as an added factor, Hopwood was able to slip away in the first set 21-14.
Both teams continued to give it their all in the second set, but Hopwood remained in control with more successful returns as the Hilitais played safe with one-bump returns.
TMS played well but Hopwood was simply better, winning the second set and the match, 21-17.
It was Tanapag’s first loss in the tournament, but the Tatagas still had to face Hopwood in a final one-set match.
It was an intense battle as Tanapag’s Savanah Francisco, Allayna Sablan, Ha’ani Salas and Sheira Dela Rosa stepped up their game, keeping the margin close and then taking the lead for a few possessions.
However, it was the Hopwood Hilitais who made two crucial plays, diving and bumping their way to victory, 21-19, and the girls middle school title.
In the double-elimination round prior to the title match, Tanapag Middle School was undefeated. The Tatagas bested Tinian, Dandan Middle School 1, Saipan International School 1 and Hopwood Middle School to secure a spot.
Hopwood, for its part, sent SIS 2, DMS 2 and Francisco M. Sablan Middle School 1 to the pits before losing to TMS. The Hilitais had to fight their way back to the top by defeating SIS 1 to set up a rematch against TMS in the finals.
The Hopwood Middle School girls pose with the championship trophy and NMI Volleyball Association president Somia Quan during the awards ceremony of the PSS Girls 4v4 Grass Volleyball League on Saturday at the CPA Airport Field.
Photo by James F. Sablan Jr.
A Hopwood Middle School player returns with a bump in the championship game of the PSS Girls 4v4 Grass Volleyball League on Saturday at the CPA Airport Field.
Photo by James F. Sablan Jr.
