By Morissa Lindsay
Defending women’s champions, The University of the West Indies (UWI) Blackbirds, picked up another win as they trounced Pan American Insurance Warrens in straight sets yesterday in the ongoing Goddard Enterprises Limited Barbados Volleyball Association Division One League.
Played at the Garfield Sobers Sports Complex, The UWI won 25-20, 25-21 and 25-19 against Warrens who showed some resistance but too many unforced errors proved detrimental for them against the Renier Grace-coached University side which was managed by Aundrea Wharton.
In the opening set there was an early setback for the Warrens team while trailing 10-12. One of their bright prospects Chara Watson fell awkwardly on her left foot and had to be assisted off the court. That was indeed a major blow for Warrens given that Watson prior to her departure had accounted for two fantastic defensive blocks against UWI’s fierce attacker Shakera Hall.
The match officiated by first and second referees Dale Addison and Hannif Wharton was halted for a couple minutes and Watson was replaced by another talent in Gabrielle Foster. The UWI continued from where they left off with a comfortable 16-12 lead at the second technical time out of the first set.
On resumption after the break, the rally that followed was perhaps the most entertaining segment of the opening set. As the two teams tried to win the point, the players on both sides of the nets were awe-inspiring, particularly Signa President of UWI with a fantastic rolling dive and one-handed retrieval to ensure the ball was kept in play.
Tamyra Stephen (hitting ball) on the attack for Pheonix Security Carlton as they defeated Chargers 3-2 in the best of five sets showdown.
Despite those tremendous efforts The UWI ended up losing that point which, had they won, would have been truly deserved. As the match continued, UWI, however, held the momentum 24-20 and were one away from point which they achieved.
The struggle continued for Warrens in the second set as they just were unable to return effectively, affording UWI way too many easy points. Before the second set commenced Warrens Coach Talya Layne reminded the players they just needed to apply what was done at training and stay in their zones.
While former national player Anicia Wood was unstoppable for Warrens – scoring at every angle of the court – along with an upset looking Gabrielle Foster who sank her fist into a particular shot that was unforgettable – Warrens just needed that one break to stabilize whatever advantage they could secure.
The University ladies were up 15-10 when coach Layne pleaded with her Warrens players not to let the opponents get away. No sooner were those words echoed by Layne than UWI attacker Hall hammered one down the middle to the delight of supporters and further extended the lead.
With a commanding 22-12 lead there was no return for Warrens as UWI were in total control. Still, Warrens staged a fightback and threatened to come from behind as they cut the deficit by six points (24-18) and forced the UWI’s coach Renier Grace to call timeout. The UWI ladies held firm under pressure and went on to take a comfortable 2-0 lead as Aiyana Reid accounted for the winning shot.
Going into the third stanza The UWI looked more relaxed, and even threw in their occasional celebration and perhaps were confident of registering the straight sets win given their depth and quality. For instance, they have former outstanding St. Lucia national player Dania Hamilton in their lineup. There are also Jayde Adams, Nicolette Pilgrim, Nikita Wickham as well as liberos Moesha Lynch and Jose Brathwaite, all of whom played well.
Warrens needed to iron out the mistakes made on numerous occasions but against The UWI they continuously struggled to get it right. It was no surprise that UWI went on to win the third set 25-19. The relative close points differentiation, though, demonstrated that though beaten, Warrens were not disgraced.
In the other women’s fixture, Deacons also won in straight sets 25-14, 25-20, 25-17 against Club United. However, it went down to the wire (3-2) between the victorious Phoenix Security Carlton and Deacons in another exciting women’s game.
Carlton Club won the first set 25-17 but Chargers Club refused to back down and won the second and third sets 25-18, 25-19 for a 2-1 lead. There was no stopping Carlton however as they utilized whatever little was left in the energy tank to claim the last two sets 25-18 and 25-12 for victory.
It was also a good day for the women of Development Volleyball in Motion as they defeated Burger King Clapham Toners 25-21, 15-25, 25-17 and 25-23 in another entertaining showdown.
Meanwhile in the lone men’s game, Barbados Bearings Progressive edged Starz Volleyball Club better known as All Stars 3-2. It was a thriller as All Stars led 25-23 and 25-21 in the first two sets but Progressive stamped their authority 25-20, 25-10 and 15-9 in the final three stanzas for a hard fought victory.
morissalindsay@barbadostoday.bb
