NMI’s Andrew Johnson and Logan Mister concluded the 2025 Pacific Mini Games beach volleyball tournament with a silver medal after falling short against Australia’s powerful duo, Finley Bennett and Jed Walker, who won both sets of the gold medal match held Monday night in Koror, Palau.
NMI served up a strong start in the opening set, staying calm and collected while unleashing devastating spikes and mixing in soft touches that kept Australia mostly on their heels. The Marianas pair controlled the early exchanges, surging to a 6-1 lead.
Although Australia gradually closed the gap — helped by a few unforced errors from NMI — Johnson and Mister managed to maintain a three-point cushion, 13-10.
After a timeout, however, Bennett and Walker began a comeback, lighting up the highlight reel with powerful spikes and well-timed blocks. They tied the set at 15-15.
The teams continued trading blows, reaching a third deadlock at 18-18, but Australia pressed on the attack with relentless spikes, eventually taking the first set, 21-18.
In the second set, NMI stuck to their strengths with well-placed serves and strong finishes at the net. However, Australia matched their efforts early on, resulting in several lead changes and a 3-3 tie.
Australia soon took the upper hand by playing more aggressively. NMI stayed quick and resilient on defense, but Australia kept finding gaps to maintain a narrow lead, 19-17.
NMI tried to stay in the fight but were only able to score one more point before Bennett and Walker secured the final two points — clinching the second set, the gold medal, and leaving NMI to settle for silver, their 29th medal of the Mini Games.
NMI beach volleyball players Logan Mister and Andrew Johnson pose for a photo with their silver medals and the CNMI flag at the 2025 Pacific Mini Games in Koror, Palau.
Marianas Press photo
NMI’s Andrew Johnson connects the overhead serve against Australia during the gold medal match in beach volleyball at the 2025 Pacific Mini Games in Koror, Palau.
Marianas Press photo