High flying action produces Shield League Champs at Island Wide Volleyball finals

Tautua Suapusi was named Most Valuable Player in the Men’s A Division of the Islandwide Volleyball Association (IWVBA) Shield League 2012 Championships. He helped lead his team, the Fiafia Boys to victory against “All 4 One” with sets of 17-16, 13-17, 17-15 and 17-14 to take the Men’s A Championship. Presenting the team’s award was Rev. Luaao Soli, IWVBA Treasurer. [photo: Jeff Hayner]

There was high flying action this past Saturday during the Islandwide Volleyball Association (IWVBA) Shield League 2012 Championship Finals that were held at the Samoana High School gymnasium.

A crowd of about 400 people gathered early to watch some of the best volleyball players on island battle it out to see who would walk away with this year’s championships in the Men’s A, Men’s B and Women’s Divisions.

To start out the Championship Day, the highly favored BTI Blockerettes (Nu’uuli) from the Women’s Division went head to head with the All 4 One (East Side) Team to see who would become the overall champions. In the first set, the Blockerettes did what they have been doing during the shield league, coming out strong and overwhelming their opponents, as they took the first set, 17-11 of the best of five. The second set clearly belonged to All 4 One as they cruised to victory 7-17. The Blockerettes regained their composure to take the third set, 17-10, but it was not enough. All 4 One came right back and was able to take the last two sets, 14-17 and 5-15 for the match.

The Men’s B Division had Ave Ma Oe from the village of Aua, taking on Fetu o le Afiafi from Fagaalu for 3rd place in a best of three sets. Fetu o le Afiafi took the first set, 12-17. Ave Ma Oe Ma Oe pulled out the second set 17-14, but in the end, it was the boys from Fagaalu who won the final set, 14-17 to take the match for third place overall leaving Ave Ma Oe in the fourth spot to finish out the league.

The Sons of Samoa (SOS) from Tafuna took it to the SBC Family from Pago Pago to win the championship trophy in the B Division. SOS came out storming and never let up as they won three straight sets, 17-14, 17-11 and 17-12 in the best of five. SOS was not only the Shield Holder in the Division, they had been unbeaten going into the championships.

In the Men’s A Division, Team SOS from Tafuna was a forfeit winner over Team Uso from Mesepa, leaving SOS with a third place overall finish in the division, while Uso took fourth overall. The championship game in the Men’s A Division, had the Shield Holder and favored team of All 4 One (East Side), going up against the Fiafia Boys from Nu’uuli. The Fiafia Boys shocked All 4 One by taking the opening set, 17-16. The favored All 4 One made a comeback to win the second set, 13-17. However, the boys from Nu’uuli were able to take the next two sets, with both of them winning by less than four points; 17-15 and 17-14 to take the Men’s A championships.

Final Results for each team and Championship Games Most Valuable Players (MVP) are as follows:

Women’s Division:

Shield Holder 2012:         BTI Blockerettes

Division Champions:         BTI Blockerettes

1st Place:         All 4 One

2nd Place:         BTI Blockerettes

3rd Place:         Fiafia Girls

4th Place:         Vatia Girls

MVP:         Mercedes Aumoeualogo-All 4 One

Men’s B Division:

Shield Holder 2012:         Sons of Samoa

Division Champions:         Sons of Samoa

1st Place:         Sons of Samoa

2nd Place:         SBC Family

3rd Place:         Fetu o le Afiafi

4th Place:         Ave Ma Oe

MVP:         Alai Semeatu-Sons of Samoa

Men’s A Division:

Shield Holder 2012:         All 4 One

Division Champions:         All 4 One

1st Place:         Fiafia Boys

2nd Place:         All 4 One

3rd Place:         Sons of Samoa

4th Place:         Uso

MVP:         Tautua Suapusi-Fiafia Boys