Shining Starz

All-Starz Volleyball Club shone brightly in a thrilling 3-2 victory over Cawmere when round one of the 2020 Goddard Enterprises Limited Senior League continued last night at the Garfield Sobers Sports Complex.

All-Starz had a good two opening sets as they led 25-23, 25-23 against Cawmere and threatened to defeat them in straight sets. But Cawmere were not about to just go down that easily. They stormed from behind and captured the next two sets 25-17, 25-14 to even the match-up at 2-2. But in the end, it was All-Starz that prevailed 15-13 for a hard-fought victory.

In that fifth and decisive set, All-Starz clearly wanted it more as Cawmere made too many unforced errors. National basketball player Derion Hurley was good at the top of the net for All-Starz along with Rene Archer and Kareem Grant.

While it is impossible for another team to catch Deacons at this stage, the battle is on for the second position and having suffered such a major loss yesterday, Cawmere’s chances may now be gone.

Cawmere with a host of big hitters led by senior national player Shawn Simpson and Andrew Roberts, fought back at crucial moments during the match. All-Starz lost steam in the third and fourth sets as they faded and allowed Cawmere to force the decider.

It was clear that Cawmere, decked in their traditional blue and yellow, regrouped and recharged during those two stanzas where they equalised. In the fourth stanza, Cawmere took an unassailable 16-6 lead at the second technical time out.

All-Starz trailing by nine points (15-6) found themselves in a spot of bother when Kareem Grant was red-carded and penalised by referee Chioke Holder for an infringement. Grant kicked the ball into the spectators’ stands out of frustration about a call that the All-Starz’ bench did not deem fair.

That further threw All-Starz off and at that stage, they needed to bring covers because Cawmere’s attackers were swinging tremendously well in all directions on the court. All-Starz were unable to even dig and keep the ball alive as the hits were too hot to handle.   

Cawmere went ahead 8-7 at the first and only timeout of the fifth set and on resumption Hurley with another one of his soft touches and Simpson with a shot that failed to make it over the net allowed All-Starz to take the advantage at 9-8.

The scores were tied 10-10 but All Starz lit up the court with three straight points to lead 13-10 and put the pressure on. Cawmere with a way more experienced attack managed to respond and locked the scores 13-13 but All-Starz, as they did throughout the match, found a way to score points and survive.

Therefore it was no surprise that they emerged victorious 15-13 when Mark Lewis with a massive out of bounds hit handed All-Starz match point. All-Starz have played four matches so far, won two and lost the others.

Phoenix Security Carlton, as expected, dominated 25-9, 25-17 and 26-24 against Pan American Insurance Warrens who continued to struggle. The youthful side failed to keep up with the more experienced Carlton attack.

In the third set, credit to Warrens for taking the advantage at 16-15 as Carlton threw away vital points they worked to earn throughout the set. Carlton needed to stick to the basics with their passes and allowed the likes of Rhea Bryant to launch those fantastic swings.

While on the other hand Warrens needed to be aggressive and keep themselves on the hunt against Carlton who suddenly were playing rather reservedly. It was as though Carlton had not won the two prior sets as they looked rather tentative against Warrens in the third set. 

Following the second technical time out, of the third set, Warrens gradually moved to 19-18 but Shakira Wilkinson-Jack of Carlton with a wonderful serve that Warrens were unable to defend allowed them to equalise at 19-19 as the scores remained close from there onwards.

It ended up being a thriller coming on to the end as the scores were locked from 19-19 to  23-23, but in the end, favourites Carlton emerged victoriously.

Before that match, the Club defeated Development In Motion Volleyball Club 25-19, 25-23, 25-12 in the other women’s game.

morissalindsay@barbadostoday.bb