The UWI Blackbirds men easily dismissed the BDF Comanchees 25-9, 25-16 when the Goddard Enterprises Limited junior volleyball knockouts continued on Tuesday night at Cave Hill.
The superior attack of Carlos Cyrus and Adam Niles proved too powerful for the soldiers. In an earlier game Blazers stopped Advent Ballers 25-22, 25-21.
Two female games were played at Hill Road with Warrens defeating Chargers 29-27, 25-23 and Hill Road stopped Foundation United 25-8, 23-25, 15-6.
The Barbados Volleyball Association has been thrown into mourning once again after the longest serving president John Griffith passed away on Sunday after a lengthy illness.
Griffith, 66, held the BVA’s top post from 1996 until ill health saw him retiring in 2018. He also served as the Treasurer of the Barbados Olympic Association from 2004 to 2017. The former vice-president of CAZOVA and Norceca’s Treasurer also held the position of FIVB’s Internal Auditor.
Griffith, a Fellow of Chartered General Accountants functioned as the Financial Controller of the Barbados National Bank for over two decades and he worked as the Director of Finance in Bermuda for three years prior to retirement.
John oversaw a golden era of Barbados volleyball where the men won 10 successive Caribbean titles and the women clinched six with Barbados’ national teams taking part in Norceca championships, CAC and Pan American Games as well as World Championship Qualifiers. In 2001 Barbados became the first English speaking Caribbean nation to host a Norceca senior men’s finals.
Current president of the BVA Kenmore Bynoe indicated that Griffith’s financial acumen and his style of management led to the significant maturation of the Association and Barbados’ volleyball.
“John allowed his council members to grow into their respective roles which empowered the individuals and fashioned the BVA into a very competent and stronger unit. His drive to guarantee the successful future of volleyball saw John placing the greatest of emphasis on the development of our junior players.
“John’s declaration that the national players should focus on training and playing while leaving funds-raising to the BVA played a key role in Barbados’ tremendous regional success for over two decades,” said Bynoe.
John who would have celebrated another birthday on December 10 leaves to mourn his wife Carol and daughter Erica.
League champions Burger King Clapham Toners advanced to the finals of the Goddard Enterprises Limited volleyball knockouts when the semifinals were staged at the Wildey Gymnasium.
Toners had to battle from a set down to stop Chargers 21-25, 25-23, 25-22, 25-13. Deacons’ women will also be appearing in the final as they upset the deposed league queens UWI Blackbirds 25-17, 23-25, 25-16, 25-21.
Veteran Thonya Joseph and the highly animated Dei Padmore kept the Toners under pressure for the entire match. However, Ashley Jordan and captain Ashley Marshall who was celebrating a birth night wrestled and kept the the advantage for the eventual winners.
League champions Deacons predictably advanced to the finals of the Goddard Enterprises Limited volleyball knockouts when the semifinals were staged at the Wildey Gymnasium.
Deacons advanced with a straight sets 25-19, 25-16, 25-23 dismissal of CO Williams Foundation United, and Cawmere out-powered Progressive 24-26, 25-21, 25-22, 25-21. Shawn Simpson figuratively and literally pounded Progressive to set up a date with Deacons.
Burger King Clapham Toners are the new queens of Goddard Enterprises Limited division one volleyball.
Toners wrapped up the highly competitive season by defeating Theta Math Academy Club United 23-25, 25-13, 25-14, 25-15.
Toners gave their fans some unnecessary flutters as they dropped the first set in a match they needed to win to shut out the Blackbirds. With the Ashleys, Jordan and Marshall mixing crunching spikes with off-speed controlled hits supported by great passing and defence by libero Jhada Goddard to wrap up the championship.
Captain Marshall pointed to the hard work and the successful blending of experienced players with the younger crop which earned them the crown. “We put in a lot of hard work and as the season progressed everyone began to play their respective roles.
“The mixture of the young players with the older helped us to identify what Clapham Toners stood for and the older players mentored us and kept us focused on the club’s objectives. That played a big role in the early part of the season as we were trying to get our stuff together.
“We are sorry that Janelle (Chase-Mayers) and Shennel (Pooler) will be moving on but they helped us tremendously as players and mentors. Toners always provide opportunities for young players and they moving on will make space for younger players. Of course, before they officially retire Toners will be aiming to win the knockout cup as well,” said Marshall.
UWI took the second spot by dismissing Pan American Insurance Warrens 25-11, 25-22, 29-27. Former queens Deacons claimed the third spot by stopping Development Volleyball in Motion 25-15, 25-14, 25-20. Chargers ended fourth by going by Phoenix Security Services Carlton 25-22, 25-21, 18-25, 25-19.
Deacons men formalized their repeat as kings of Goddard Enterprises Limited division one volleyball action continued at the Wildey Gymnasium.
Deacons ended the league with a win over Starz United 25-23, 20-25, 25-16, 25-22 finishing on 33 points after losing just one game. Cawmere who scored that single triumph over Deacons ended second on 21 points by dismissing CO Williams Foundation United 25-22, 25-23, 25-18.
