Win streak at 4 for defending champions
By Shan Seman
Reporter
Defending champion Mwaliyas was riding on a three-game win streak entering yesterday's bout against Da Lani Kynez, and by the time last season's title winners left the Marianas High School Gymnasium, they increased the streak to four games.
This after Mwaliyas stunned Da Lani Kynez with a 62-27 juice out victory in the ongoing World Organized Rocball Community League.
Surprisingly, only one session was needed for a winner to be declared as a match normally takes two sessions, with two sets played in each.
The Mwaliyas players showed no sign of rust after Rocball action went on a break and made their 2007 debut with style as the team controlled the first set to take the early advantage in the match. Shane Yamada opened the game with a kee, and Mwaliyas held Da Lani Kynez to just four points while going off for 16 for the first set win.
Da Lani Kynez tried to return the favor in the second set and took a 2-0 lead to get things going. Yamada, however, connected for a goal to give his team a 3-2 lead. The shot sparked a charge as Mwaliyas increased the lead to 6-2, and won most of the long rallies to take the set, 17-4.
With that, Mwaliyas held a comfortable 25-point lead, 33-8, in the overall points tally.
With their backs against the wall, Da Lani Kynez put up a better performance in the third set. Myron Laniyo stepped up and even made an incredible save after a teammate's return attempt went far wide. Laniyo, who served as setter, raced to the ball, and despite playing the ball on a tough angle, bumped it right over the net to save a point for his team. Both teams were at set point, 14-14, and Da Lani Kynez had just enough juice to pull through for a 15-14 win.
Despite the win, Mwaliyas still held a comfortable advantage with a 47-23 lead heading into the final set, which meant the team needed to win to close the match. A win by Da Lani Kynez would send the game into o-kon-overtime.
Yamada and Gary Philip came up big for Mwaliyas in the set as the two high flyers stepped up and pounded the ball to lead their team to a 15-4 clincher.
The final score was no indication on how the match was played as both teams were aggressive and engaged in countless long rallies, which attracted applause from all in attendance.
Phillip finished as the game's heavy hitter as he led Mwaliyas with 16 points. The lean machine was most effective on the service area as he connected for seven aces. He also had a kee.
Yamada and Val Taisakan were also superb as the two finished with 11 and 10 points, with Yamada smacking four kees and a goal and Taisakan hitting two aces and three kees.
Stephanie Arnold and Kaleo Olaitiman each had six points to lead Da Lani Kynez (2-2). Arnold had an ace and two kees, while Olaitiman added two aces and a kee.
Rocball action continues on Monday Watch & Learn and Dublon Chiefs closing out the first round of 2007. Watch & Learn and Dublon Chiefs are also undefeated with 3-0 records.
By Shan Seman
Reporter
Defending champion Mwaliyas was riding on a three-game win streak entering yesterday's bout against Da Lani Kynez, and by the time last season's title winners left the Marianas High School Gymnasium, they increased the streak to four games.
This after Mwaliyas stunned Da Lani Kynez with a 62-27 juice out victory in the ongoing World Organized Rocball Community League.
Surprisingly, only one session was needed for a winner to be declared as a match normally takes two sessions, with two sets played in each.
The Mwaliyas players showed no sign of rust after Rocball action went on a break and made their 2007 debut with style as the team controlled the first set to take the early advantage in the match. Shane Yamada opened the game with a kee, and Mwaliyas held Da Lani Kynez to just four points while going off for 16 for the first set win.
Da Lani Kynez tried to return the favor in the second set and took a 2-0 lead to get things going. Yamada, however, connected for a goal to give his team a 3-2 lead. The shot sparked a charge as Mwaliyas increased the lead to 6-2, and won most of the long rallies to take the set, 17-4.
With that, Mwaliyas held a comfortable 25-point lead, 33-8, in the overall points tally.
With their backs against the wall, Da Lani Kynez put up a better performance in the third set. Myron Laniyo stepped up and even made an incredible save after a teammate's return attempt went far wide. Laniyo, who served as setter, raced to the ball, and despite playing the ball on a tough angle, bumped it right over the net to save a point for his team. Both teams were at set point, 14-14, and Da Lani Kynez had just enough juice to pull through for a 15-14 win.
Despite the win, Mwaliyas still held a comfortable advantage with a 47-23 lead heading into the final set, which meant the team needed to win to close the match. A win by Da Lani Kynez would send the game into o-kon-overtime.
Yamada and Gary Philip came up big for Mwaliyas in the set as the two high flyers stepped up and pounded the ball to lead their team to a 15-4 clincher.
The final score was no indication on how the match was played as both teams were aggressive and engaged in countless long rallies, which attracted applause from all in attendance.
Phillip finished as the game's heavy hitter as he led Mwaliyas with 16 points. The lean machine was most effective on the service area as he connected for seven aces. He also had a kee.
Yamada and Val Taisakan were also superb as the two finished with 11 and 10 points, with Yamada smacking four kees and a goal and Taisakan hitting two aces and three kees.
Stephanie Arnold and Kaleo Olaitiman each had six points to lead Da Lani Kynez (2-2). Arnold had an ace and two kees, while Olaitiman added two aces and a kee.
Rocball action continues on Monday Watch & Learn and Dublon Chiefs closing out the first round of 2007. Watch & Learn and Dublon Chiefs are also undefeated with 3-0 records.
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