Deacons men and women register dominant victories

By Morissa Lindsay

Deacons men as expected won, but Foundation United perhaps had only themselves to blame for making it too easy for their opponents who claimed a comfortable straight sets victory in the Goddard Enterprises Limited Barbados Volleyball Association Division One League at the Garfield Sobers Sports Complex last night.

Sponsored by WOW Displays Williams Industries, Foundation United played a bit too flat and therefore it was no surprise that Deacons swept them 25-18, 25-21 and 25-21 as the men in their traditional green did not come to make sport in round two of the league.

On completion of the opening set, Foundation assistant coach Ricky Carter could be heard telling his players they train next to the Christ Church Parish Church cemetery, but the match was no funeral and that they needed to step it up which they tried their utmost to do as the match progressed.

Foundation’s outside hitter Brandon Callender was the most impressive on the night but they needed to brush up on their serves and kills in the front court. Deacons are naturally a strong team and any mistakes made by Foundation they wasted no time in capitalizing.

Deacons on the other hand were not all that perfect because the returns on their end were problematic at times. Both teams were also guilty of going big and sending the ball out of bounds, especially Deacons with strong attackers like Akeel Oxley, Akeem Mayers and Haile Emmanuel Turney.

During the second set, Foundation, adhering to their coach’s advice, began to play much better and showed more determination as they led 8-7 at the first technical time out of the set. They tried hard to keep up with the Deacons side as the set progressed. The interesting thing about that second set is that when Foundation’s head coach Fernando Best called time out on both occasions when his team was down 21-19 and 23-20 respectively, on the resumption of play they managed to break and score in one.

Deacons outside hitter Akeel Oxley (#10) was unstoppable at times against WOW Foundation United. (Pictures by Morissa Lindsay)

It was evident that Foundation in their yellow and black uniform knew exactly where the fault was but clearly, they had a problem being consistent and ensuring they did not make too many unforced errors. Foundation also noticeably had a strong preference for hitting from midcourt and Deacons’ blockers reading that play were able to keep their hands up and provide coverage at the nets.

In the third set Ajani Layne of Foundation United was impressive as he served well, accounted for three aces and gave his team a good start. It is just what coach Best ordered but Deacons coached by Parnell Blunt began to respond one point at a time as they aimed to wrap up the game in straight sets.

At this stage of the match, it was wonderful to see that both teams had employed mental tactics to score points as they put everything on the line defensively with a couple of diving saves and attempts on both sides to keep the ball alive. Young Oxley who laid his father Patrick to rest on Tuesday went a bit too hard and aggressive playing on the outside but when he got it right there was nothing Foundation could do to stop him.

In terms of maintaining the lead, well that was perhaps wishful thinking on Foundation’s part because despite their determination to put up a fight, they just could not deny Deacons who at the second technical time out of the third set were up 16-13 and went on to claim the win as Foundation’s passes and blocks let them down at crucial times.

The women of Deacons who led 2-0 against Phoenix Security Carlton lapsed in the third set and allowed the latter to force a decisive fourth set but in the end the former delivered a 3-1 victory.

The final score of that match was 25-18, 25-9, 21-25 and 25-18 to Deacons as they ensured that at the start of the fourth set, they were out the blocks early with an 8-4 advantage at the first technical time and Carlton definitely needed to break in one which they did.

The instruction from Carlton’s coaching bench was to track the ball and why not, after all they are sponsored by a security company. While they attempted to track and kept a close watch, Carlton were out of their league on this occasion as they just could not stop Deacons women.

With the score being 16-14 at the second technical period, Deacons on resumption accounted for six straight points before Carlton finally broke them but it was a little too late for the latter who made crucial mistakes that cost them vital points. morissalindsay@barbadostoday.bb