Progressive Lads repel spirited Foundation School display

By Morissa Lindsay

Barbados Bearings Progressive remained in the hunt for the title as they won their fourth match of the season against WOW Displays Williams Industries Foundation 3-2 in round two of the Goddard Enterprises Limited Barbados Volleyball Association Division One League.

Played last night at the Garfield Sobers Sports Complex, Progressive pulled off a five-set thriller 25-27, 25-16, 17-25, 25-22 and 15-11 against a young energetic Foundation side who started out well but just were unable to hang on for the win.

After enduring two hours and 25 minutes of competitive volleyball action, Progressive remains in the top two on 20 points behind defending champion Deacons on 24 points while Cawmere and Foundation are on 16 points each. If the Christ Church-based Foundation side had managed to deny Progressive a win yesterday then that would have been problematic for the latter but that was not the case.

The opening set was a close battle to start and with the scoreline being constantly locked until 25-25 when it was finally broken by Foundation, was a clear indication of a determined attitude from both teams. Foundation accounted for two good hits struck by Brandon Leonce with one down the line off a Brandon Callender serve followed by Imani Austin with a kill of his own and captured set points for the Beacons on the hill.

 

Progressive unwilling to let Foundation get the better of them, had a good start to the second set and with an 18-13 lead the latter called time in an effort to break the serve of middle man Yvan Grant.

It was an effective strategy because Foundation managed to break Progressive’s rhythm and scored three consecutive points. But they did not get anymore after that because Progressive played a more attacking game led by Rico Brathwaite, Akeel Stoute and Reneir Grace. Foundation’s defence was not the best and they got a bit too comfortable allowing for a number of mistakes. Progressive targeted the midcourt and put away anything that was well served up by setter Jerome Stuart.

Foundation oftentimes failed to face Progressive’s spikes front on instead of sideways which was a bit problematic but once they made the adjustment, at the second technical timeout at 12-7, they were in the driver’s seat early in the third set. Foundation had their go to attacker Brandon Callender and at times Levi Padmore and Unri Clarke hitting well and Progressive had no choice but to call a timeout.

Foundation in search of the lead upped the intensity with some destructive spikes that could not be returned even if Progressive attempted. Thomas Harris-Atkins, the Foundation setter, did a good job at that stage of the game as they applied pressure and in doing so earned the 2-1 advantage.

Going into the fourth set Foundation’s mantra was ‘stronger together’ but just how strong they were only time would tell. And time did tell because Progressive once again came from behind to tie the match 2-2 as Foundation made some critical errors where setter Harris-Atkins for some strange reason set mostly to everyone else except outside hitter Padmore whose ability to jump and spike was unmatched.

Going into the fifth set Foundation needed not get complacent and ensured that they served on the ball if they were to stand a chance and they led 8-7 when the teams switched court sides. Progressive managed to make a stop and come from behind to equalize 10-10 and take the lead by three and they then went on to secure the win by four points.

Chargers women were also in action yesterday and they emerged victorious 25-17, 25-22, and 25-22 over Club United and are third in the standings on 36 points, just one point ahead of defending champions University of the West Indies (UWI) Blackbirds on 35 in fourth, while Deacons occupy the number one spot on 41 points followed by Burger King Clapham Bulls Toners on 39.

UWI made light work of Development Volleyball in Motion in straight sets 25-16, 25-22 and 25-22 as they look to win their remaining matches to stand a chance. Meanwhile, Deacons trounced Pan American Insurance Warrens 25-7, 25-12 and 25-7 for another easy win at the top of the table. It is turning out to be a keenly contested battle in the point standings for both men and women as the league title race continues in round two. morissalindsay@barbadostoday.bb