I created concept for cards based on the show cast locations and itens.

What a surprise! Tri-athlete Richard Steele runs a blog about… sports?! And his most recent reblogged image is… two beautiful women playing beach volleyball?! 

Just kidding. We all know our Knights rule, on and off the sand. Volleyball is a pretty popular sport here, and it’s just one of the few things Saipan has in common in the PNW. None of my siblings played volleyball, but we all attended semi-elite educational Catholic institutions- which, undoubtedly, spawned some seriously talented volleyball players. 

Just like the ones here. Although Saipan is much smaller than my home-states, the dedication of our athletes measure up, and maybe even surpasses that of the some athletes I know from Washington and Oregon.  For my first post as a guest, I want to write about one of the most exciting volleyball games I’ve ever witnessed: this year’s 2021 Highschool Boys Beach Volleyball championship match. 

I can’t put it any better than how Marianas Variety’s sports reporter James Sablan Jr. wrote, “The boys of Mount Carmel School proved that they are the best in the Public School System 4v4 Beach Volleyball League after edging Grace Christian Academy, 16-21, 21-15, 16-14, in a hard-fought title game Saturday at the Fiesta Resort & Spa beach”. Our Knights proved they are the best. 

Although academic and extracurricular achievements are generally highly esteemed among the public, especially in the private school sector, I argue that athletic achievements should be regarded as one and the same with the two. Regardless of a student’s academic standing, putting in hours almost every day after school throughout the week takes serious commitment and dedication. Yet, that is just one component of why our boys won this championship match. 

The other component is talent. I’ve always admired Dr.G, the president of our school, for always making time to watch the championship game of any sport if our Knights are competing. I was surprised to learn that his veteran observational and analytical skills are just as sharp on the sand as they are in the classroom. If I’m remembering correctly, he turned to me and said, “Our boys are truly talented and hardworking athletes. I really am proud of all of our Knights athletes and how dedicated they are to their sports. Not only is Sam a great setter, but his serves are consistent and deadly. Richard and Merrick are always beasts on the attack, and it all isn’t possible without J-Boy’s flawless passes. They’re going to win this one”. 

And they did. 

Yes, the game was a nailbiter, and undoubtedly intense. Yes, the GCA boys had given our Knights their first lost set in the entire tournament. But there was not a single moment where I lost faith that we would win. Arguably, the only thing that our Knight family lost that day was… our voices from cheering on Richard, Merrick, J-Boy, and Sam. 

Dragon Striker trading cards GO Knights