Megumi Murakami and Remi Sudo defeated Mitsumi Ozaki and Hiroyo Kaneda, 21-18 in the championship round.
Murakami’s powerful spike finished off Mitsumi and Hiroyo when the latter fail to prevent from hitting their ground.
Murakami and Sudo’s bigger win, however, happened in the semi final round when they foiled Chie Iwana and Yoko Miki’s bid to defend the Marianas Cup crown they wore for three years.
They handed their compatriot the big upset by pounding them in the final set, 21-13.
Murakami and Sudo began their winning ways after beating Guam’s Nina Mosley and Christina elimination round, 21-10. Then, they had the first encounter with Ozaki and Hiroyo who, they also routed 21-6 in the quarter finals.
In men’s division, Daisuke and Junki defeated Guam’s Josh Cruz and Hiro Ozaki, 21-6.
Daisuke and Junki reigned in the winners’ bracket by securing the second set against Hugo Dooner and Tyce Mister, 210-14.
Josh and Hiro who bowed to Hugo and Tyce got back to the upper ground in a sweet revenge when they met again the in final round, 21-17.
The event’s host, the Northern Mariana Island Volleyball Association extends special thanks to all of the sponsors.
Platinum sponsors include Marianas Visitors’ Authority, Practical Solutions, Pacific Islands Club Saipan, IT&E, KSPN/TVC, Marianas Trekking, Shell Marianas.
The Gold sponsors are Delta Airlines, Aquarius Beach Towers, Hyatt Regency Saipan, Pacific Trading Company (Miller Lite & Gatorade).
The Silver sponsors are AON Insurance, Island Apparel, Tan Holdings Group of Companies Triple J Enterprises (5-Star Wholesale, Triple J Motors), Hertz Rent-A-Car and bronze, Aqua Resort Club, Caronel Watch Center, Gold’s Gym, Hafadai Beach Magazine, Hardt Eye Clinic, Joeten Enterprises, LaoLao Bay Golf Resort, Marianas Business Plaza, Pacific Islands Club Guam, Revolving Restaurant 360, Tinian Dynasty Hotel & Casino, TopNotch.
NMIVA also thanks all the volunteers that include Jon Cramer, tournament director; Practical Solutions (media, logistics), Hiroko Tenorio (MVA for Japan-side assistance), Gabriel White, Mili Saiki, Tyce & Angie Mister, Linda Anastacio, Evan Hunsberger, Carmen Hassleback, George Peterka, JR Gechig, Jazz Rosokow, Mike Pai, Russ Quinn, Melody Matson, Jenn Backhaus, and Ami McRoberts.
