FRANCISCO M. Sablan Middle School and Grace Christian Academy’s junior varsity teams emerged victorious in the girls middle school volleyball tournament Thursday at the Marianas High School gym.
FMS JV had a tough match but clinched the win following a three-set battle against Hopwood Middle School JV, 14-21, 21-17, 15-13.
HMS JV dominated the first set, 21-14, as the relentless efforts of Jana Agbuya, Inarin Bisanen, Krislaine Cabanas and Chloee Elchico kept the ball alive with one-bump returns and forced FMS JV to give up several points due to miscommunication and errors.
After the break, however, FMS JV returned as a different team and played more aggressively in the second set.
FMS JV’s Ailana and Elika Mendiola, Phynix Nogis, Mikalyn Olaitaman, Kimani Santos, Shioni Odoshi, Althea Bocago, Trishelle Valdez and Lailey Teregeyo worked well in their rotations which were highlighted by aces from the serving line and accuracy and persistency in each return as they bested HMS JV 21-17 to force a third and final set.
The finale was a seesaw battle with neither team able to gain the edge.
But during the last few possessions, HMS JV struggled to keep the ball in the air, allowing FMS JV to secure the needed points to seal the deal and win the match, 15-13.
Winner’s circle
Grace Christian Academy JV joined the winner’s circle by trouncing Dandan Middle School JV, 21-14, 21-10.
FMS JV’s Mikalyn Olaitaman looks on as she preps for the serve during a girls middle school volleyball game Thursday at the MHS gym.
A Hopwood Middle School JV player kneels for the bump return during a girls middle school volleyball game Thursday at the MHS gym.
