By James Sablan Jr
Copyright mvariety
SPIKE Girls and Angry Penne triumphed twice on Monday night, eliminating their respective opponents during the first round of playoffs in the women’s and coed divisions of the 4 Starz Marianas Club’s 2nd Annual Fall Fest Volleyball Tournament 2025 at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.
In the women’s division, Spike Girls were pushed to the limit as they battled Gecko in a three-set thriller.
The opening set featured relentless exchanges. Spike Girls started aggressively, with Kiana Camacho, Madeleine Alegre, Michelle Kautz, and Rachel Salalila leading the attack. They built an early lead, 12-6, but Gecko mounted a rally, fueled by aces from Irin Chung, Julie Chavez, Addalee Taflinger, and Charlotte Beagle, eventually tying the set at 18-all.
Despite Gecko’s efforts, their short serves and defensive miscommunications allowed Spike Girls to regain control, with Camacho landing the game-winning spike to secure the first set, 25-22.
In the second set, Gecko shook off early jitters and took control of many possessions. Both teams fought hard, but Gecko edged out a 25-21 win to force a decisive third set.
Spike Girls prevailed in the final set, 15-13, eliminating Gecko from the women’s division playoffs. Gecko also fell in the coed division, losing to Angry Penne in three sets, 25-21, 19-25, 15-12.
Other first-round winners included 4-Starz, who defeated Tekison Warriors in three sets, 25-22, 22-25, 15-8; and Hammahz, who overcame Black Label, 25-19, 25-20, in the men’s division.
