By James Sablan
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Variety News Staff
AS the PSS-NMIVA Interscholastic Volleyball League SY25-26 boys middle school division completed its final slate of games Tuesday, Tanapag Middle School and Agape Christian School ended on a high note with separate victories over their opponents at the Marianas High School gym.
Tanapag Middle School secured its spot in the top three heading into the playoff tournament after earning its sixth win with a straight-sets victory over Chacha Ocean View Middle School.
The opening set saw both teams finding their rhythm with early exchanges. As the game progressed, however, TMS gradually took control of the tempo thanks to well-executed sets and powerful spike finishes from Brandon Teigita and Casmiro Cosmes.
Despite COVMS’ efforts, many of its points came from unforced errors by TMS, but that alone was not enough to close the gap. During Omar Ibarola’s turn at serve, he delivered six consecutive aces to secure the first-set victory with ease, 21-12.
In the second set, COVMS adjusted in hopes of evening the match. However, it still could not overcome the depth and skill of TMS and fell once again, 21-15.
Agape Christian School posted a similar result, defeating Hopwood Middle School in straight sets, 21-11, 21-15, to improve its record to seven wins and one loss.
Highlighting the day’s action were two three-set battles.
TMS II bested COVMS II, 20-22, 21-15, 15-3, while Saipan International School outlasted Mount Carmel School, 21-8, 16-21, 15-10.
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.
