Based on a point system from the Northern Marianas Islands Volleyball Association, McCullough bested Josh Borja, Joemil Lisua, and Anthony Wilton with 43 points in the finals. In the girls’ division, Soll edged first runner-up Phalai Frink by three points. Joining them in the final four were Tony Yamada (38 points), and Michelle Ngirbabul (31 points).
All games were played in a special two-on-two, round robin format. McCullough ranked fifth during pool play, earning 64 points and falling behind Mikhael. He later fought back in the semis, piling the highest score with 48 points. Also in the boys’ top eight were Jeffrey Sachuo, Jason Limes, Josh Borja, and YJ Nakayama.
In the girls’ division, Soll averaged 8.1 points per game with a 97 total during pool play. Ngirbabul leapt ahead at the start with 117 points, followed by Yamada (113 points). Soll took the spotlight after slipping next to Frink with 45 points during semifinals. In addition to them, the girls’ top eight consisted of Yamada, Kristine Guevara, Tara Manglona, Rikka Kaijo, and Jamata Castro.
Three games were played in each division’s championship rounds, with the top four players playing with and against each other. Soll scored 15 points with partners Frink and Yamada and 13 with Ngirbabul to earn her winning total. In the boys’ group, McCullough scored 15 points apiece in his first two games before adding another 13.
12 girls and 16 boys took part in the tournament, which also included Justine Padiermos, Jennifer Flores, Patricia McTran, Allen Calvo, Angel Sound, Ricky, Wilton Laniyo, Andres Halliby, Bryan Daria, Jay Nakayama, and Simon Necesito.
“A might big thanks to Fiesta Resort and Spa and Elena [Soll] and Lucio [Aldan] who helped make this event possible,” posted Laurie Peterka at the NMIVA’s website.
For a full view of results, visit www.nmivolleyball.org.
