MOUNT Carmel School is the new champion in the girls middle school division of the PSS-NMIVA Interscholastic Volleyball League SY24-25, after outlasting the relentless Tanapag Middle School at the Marianas High School gym on Saturday.
MCS reached the finals with an undefeated record, which automatically gave them a one-set advantage in the match against TMS.
MCS only needed to win two sets to secure the championship title, but TMS put up a strong fight.
TMS established control early with five straight points unanswered, forcing MCS to call a timeout. Upon their return, they started to fight back, and a back-and-forth exchange was prolonged throughout most of the possessions.
For TMS, teamwork was their biggest strength as Aaleyah Fatialofa, Ziella Sablan, and Jonielle Sablan blended well with clutch saves and spike finishes to bag their first win, 21-18.
In the next set, MCS managed to shake off the jitters and cooked up a rally of their own. Showcasing their teamwork led by Caydince Masga, O-Ren Sasamoto and Adelle Kautz, they were able to gain the distance midway through as they forced TMS to commit unforced errors which eventually led to an MCS victory, 21-15.
Once again, TMS remained relentless as ever as they fought valiantly in the next set.
The seesaw battle continued with neither team able to gain the advantage as they passed the game-point threshold of 21, but in the end, TMS secured the final two points needed to triumph, 23-21, forcing a final set to determine the winner.
TMS, however, failed to keep up on the defensive end as MCS’ Masga unleashes six unanswered aces for a 6-0 lead. TMS eventually found their confidence, but it was too late, as MCS had already built enough momentum to maintain their pressure and secure the final win, 15-8, clinching the girls’ middle school division title.
This was MCS’ first-ever middle school division championship title. “It feels great. It has been a long season — these girls worked so hard to come to practice and it paid off,” said MCS Coach Francis San Nicolas.
During a huddle with his team in the title match, he emphasized TMS’ aggression and stressed the importance of MCS adopting the same mindset to win.
“I would like to thank the parents, supporters, the school, and of course, God,” San Nicolas said.
Mount Carmel School players pose with the girls middle school division championship trophy of the PSS-NMIVA Interscholastic Volleyball League SY24-25 at the Marianas High School gym on Saturday.
MCS’ Caydince Masga connects the overhead serve against Tanapag Middle School during the championship match in the girls middle school division of the PSS-NMIVA Interscholastic Volleyball League SY24-25 at the Marianas High School gym on Saturday.
