THE Grace Christian Academy Eagles earned their very first Public School System Girls Middle School Volleyball championship by defeating the Tanapag Middle School Tatagas 21-15, 21-14 on Saturday at Koblerville gym.
In an interview, GCA head coach Cesar Libut said, “My team did not have any practice. But the dedication of these kids ensured their victory.”
He said the team made use of the time they had by coming in two hours earlier before the match to make sure that they had enough warm up.
The Eagles also made sure to use every advantage that they had, one of which is having a “Tower of Power” on their team — Azzy Fatialofa.
In the first set of the finals match. GCA established an early lead from the serving line thanks to Neveah Camacho’s overhand attempts. But as soon as TMS held the possession, the Tatagas unleashed aces to even the score 7-7.
Their main strategy was to get the ball over the net in any way possible. The Eagles, for their part, had one goal — set up Fatialofa for the spike finish. Slowly but surely, the almost 6-foot center took over the game with consecutive spikes to give her team a first set victory, 21-15.
TMS fought back in the second set, but the Tatagas could not fend off the Eagles.
“Azzy was the key but without being able to receive and set up, she would not have the chance to finish,” Coach Libut noted.
GCA finished strong in the second set, 21-14, to win the title that Hopwood Middle School had held for the last three years.
GCA’s roster consisted of Azzy Fatialofa, Beatrice Fabre, Masofia Gomez, Matty Angeles, Vaniqa Torres, Ana Villagomez, Llyanna Libut, Nevaeh Camacho and Miley Mafnas.
The TMS players were Jewel Malwelbug, Keitavia Sos, Ry’aeko Quitano, Ry’ahna Quitano, Tierah Sharry and Keesha Lucas.
TMS dominated Pool 2 of the season with a total of seven wins and no losses in the preliminaries.
Ten schools, 133 girls and 15 teams from Saipan, Tinian and Rota participated in the tournament.
The Grace Christian Academy Eagles pose with the perpetual plaque after winning the PSS Girls Middle School Volleyball championship Saturday at Koblerville gym.
The GCA Eagles celebrate after winning the championship of the PSS Girls Middle School Volleyball Saturday at Koblerville gym.
Grace Christian Academy’s Azzy Fatialofa extends for the bump return during the championship match of the PSS Girls Middle School Volleyball Tournament on Saturday at Koblerville gym.
