By James Sablan
james@mvariety.com
Variety News Staff
AS the girls’ middle school division of the PSS-NMIVA Interscholastic Volleyball League SY25-26 nears the end of the regular season, Saipan Community School made sure they did not finish empty-handed, earning their first win of the season against Chacha Ocean View Middle School in two straight sets during Tuesday’s games at the Koblerville gym.
COVMS was a formidable opponent with a strong defensive presence. However, from the opening serve, SCS appeared as a different team than the one that struggled throughout the regular season matchups. SCS showcased a vastly improved service game along with undying grit, helping power through the opening set with finesse.
Once SCS established an early lead, they never looked back. Capitalizing on unforced errors by COVMS, Arriana Deleon Guerrero, Nadine Van Dam, Gwen Retardo, and Aesen Hamoy led the offensive assault, claiming the first set, 21-6.
During the second set, COVMS tried to mount a rally, applying more pressure and aggression throughout the exchanges. Ana Mangarero, Keanalise Sablan, Scarlett Salas, and Ariani Camacho highlighted strong defensive returns and key spikes to chip away at the deficit. But despite their efforts, SCS remained composed, as the rest of the team stepped up, including Riel Choi, Claire Oh, and Amethyst Winkfield, keeping COVMS at a safe distance and closing out the set, 21-14, to secure their first win of the season.
In other games
Mount Carmel School remains atop the leaderboard after earning its eighth win against Saipan International School, 21-2, 21-12.
Joining the winner’s circle are: Francisco M. Sablan Middle School defeating Hopwood Middle School, 24-22, 21-12; Tanapag Middle School II over Dandan Middle School II, 21-16, 21-10; FMS II over COVMS II, 21-0, 21-0; and MCS II over SIS II, 21-13, 21-10.
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.
