Grace Christian Academy not only faced a long-time rival, but a similar squad consisting of Saipan International School’s 2010 champions.
The Eagles reclaimed what was once theirs and won the Coalition of Private Schools Sports Association’s 2011-12 varsity volleyball title on a third-set 15-8 victory versus SIS. GCA once again completed its sweep of both the junior varsity and varsity leagues, beating WPS in last week’s JV finals.
The Geckos, who ended GCA’s six-year reign to clinch the title last year, ended on the wrong track with several errors and delivered the Eagles their winning point after Andrew Nutting’s out-of-bound serve.
“They just needed to keep on fighting,” said GCA’s head coach Becky Robles, still overwhelmed after the match.
“Coming into the finals we knew they (SIS) were going to be a strong team and we just prepared for that. We didn’t really change anything but our formation.”
GCA fell behind one point, 21-22 and nearly lost grasp of the first set.
The trio of SIS’ Amber Roberts, Nutting, and Jehn Joyner proved effective against James Libut, who tripped twice trying to dig the ball near the net.
A couple more errors from Nutting and Clay McCullough-Stearns however ended a 24-24 deadlock between both squads.
GCA secured the first set, 26-24.
Down to the second set, the Geckos propelled to an 11-7 lead.
GCA fired back on a five-point surge and retook the lead, 17-15.
Both sides fought to a 24-24 tie but SIS eked out the winning point and bagged the second set, 26-24.
Frontrunners Angelo Salas, Michi Tenorio, and Libut ended the Geckos’ bid for a second straight title after scoring seven of GCA’s final points in the third set.
The win marked a successful finish for Salas and Dae Min Jeon, who will be graduating from high school this year.
Completing the Eagles’ roster were AJ Battallones, Julie Muna, Genesis Manglona, Anthony Borja, Zena Demapan, Crysta Cristobal, Romar Tulong, Khemner Sugue, and Jasmine Rayphand.
Salas was later awarded the All Tournament MVP trophy.
Other MVPs from each participating school were: Regis Perez (Calvary Christian Academy), Libut (GCA), Richard Eo (Marianas Baptist Academy), Ray Salas (Mount Carmel School), and McCullough-Stearns (SIS).
The Sportsmanship Award was given to CCA, with SIS settling for first runner-up.
