By James Sablan
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Variety News Staff
HIGHLIGHTED by a historic display of athleticism and heart, Agape Christian School celebrated a monumental Saturday by securing the boys middle school division title of the PSS-NMIVA Interscholastic Volleyball League SY25-26 after edging Saipan International School in a five-set finale at the Marianas High School gym.
ACS appeared to have the win in the palm of its hand after cruising through the playoff tournament unscathed, giving the team a one-set advantage heading into the best-of-five championship series against Saipan International School.
Despite the disadvantage, SIS was not going down easily.
SIS set the tone early, fueled by the strong play of Kanoa Owens, who emerged as the biggest threat on the court. Using his ability to deliver powerful spike finishes, SIS kept constant pressure on ACS and limited “free balls,” eventually claiming the second set, 21-18.
ACS regained its composure in the third set.
The team relied on coordinated play, controlling possessions with well-timed blocks by Scott Li while attacking with well-placed spikes set by Jireh Fu to maintain the lead. SIS players Noah Santos, Jude Rayphand, and Quido Jambor sacrificed their bodies to keep rallies alive, but despite their efforts, ACS pulled away for a 21-16 victory.
With one set left to secure the championship, ACS entered the fourth set confidently and took an early lead. Midway through the set, however, SIS mounted a comeback behind Owens’ consistent spikes that repeatedly challenged defenders at the net. SIS managed to push past the 21-point mark, but ACS held on long enough to stay within striking distance before SIS claimed the set, 22-20, forcing a decisive fifth set.
SIS continued to battle in the thrilling series but ultimately failed to close the deal as defensive errors and miscommunication forced the team to play catch-up.
Momentum shifted when Li stepped to the service line and delivered five consecutive aces, giving ACS a comfortable lead. The surge helped seal a 15-7 victory in the final set as ACS claimed the boys middle school division title in its first season of participation.
According to ACS President and CEO Pastor Pang, the win was particularly sweet given the team’s small roster.
Despite having only 10 middle school players — many of whom compete in multiple sports such as cross country and basketball — the team relied on a “never give up” mentality to overcome its rivals.
“Sports is something like life,” Pastor Pang said after the win. “Opportunities or chances will not come to you — you have to go and create them. That is what we want to instill in our students.”
The school’s success reflects its long-term vision. Founded in 2007, ACS’ athletic program initially struggled to compete with larger public schools. Pastor Pang recalled the early days when the team was frequently overwhelmed by opponents, but said the addition of a dedicated gym and consistent training has helped level the playing field.
Today, ACS maintains that while it is not strictly a sports school, athletics remain second only to academics in its mission to build character.
The championship represents a major milestone for ACS, which has built its program from humble beginnings — including a 0-25 loss in its early years — to becoming a competitive force in interscholastic sports.
James Sablan has been a sports reporter for Variety since 2013. He was a liberal arts student of Northern Marianas College and covers all local sports.
