SAIPAN International School’s varsity team collected their fifth win in the girls middle school division of the NMIVA-PSS Interscholastic Volleyball League by beating Francisco M. Sablan Middle School, 23-21, 21-17 on Tuesday at the MHS gym.
SIS had the upper hand when it came to experience as they kept their cool throughout the match and prioritized getting the ball over the net.
Phoenix and Beatrice Gross, along with Kassidy Camacho and Lya Kim, worked with the rest of the SIS team to keep the possession alive in the first set.
Led by Teneasha Diaz and Lalia Castro, FMS fought back with bump returns to catch SIS off-guard.
It was a close battle with FMS taking a one-point lead, 21-20. But SIS bagged three consecutive points to notch victory in the first set, 23-21.
In the next set, SIS continued to ride the momentum and seemed more in sync offensively. But as soon as they lowered their guard, FMS retaliated in short bursts to remain closely behind.
Despite FMS’ efforts, their lack of communication and inaccurate returns handed SIS the points needed to secure the second set, 21-17, and win the match.
Winners, too
Joining the winner’s circle were Tanapag Middle School V which came out on top of a three-set battle against Chacha Oceanview Middle School, 16-21, 21-5. 15-8; Dandan Middle School which defeated Mount Carmel School, 21-18, 21-17; Grace Christian Academy which trounced Hopwood Middle School V, 21-9, 21-16; and TMS JV which outplayed DMS JV, 21-17, 21-12.
FMS V’s Teneasha Diaz extends for the bump return during a girls middle school division game of the NMIVA-PSS Interscholastic Volleyball League at the MHS gym on Tuesday.
A Tanapag Middle School player bends down to save the possession during a girls middle school division game of the NMIVA-PSS Interscholastic Volleyball League at the MHS gym on Tuesday
