Tag: UWI

UWI Blackbirds remain undefeated

UWI Blackbirds moved to a fifth successive victory by thumping Warrens 25-20, 25-21, 25-19 when the Goddard Enterprises Limited division one volleyball league continued at the Wildey Gymnasium.

UWI hardly missed a beat with replacement setter Signa President filling in for the injured Afyia Taylor to maintain their attacking strength through Shakera “Smiley” Hall, Dania Hamilton and young Aiyana Reid.

Former queens Deacons also won their game in straight sets giving a great birthday present to former Barbados libero Marissa Dowell by outplaying Theta Math Academy Club United 25-14, 25-20, 25-17.

UWI pushed to the edge

UWI Blackbirds women were pushed to the edge before holding on to their unbeaten records when the Goddard Enterprises Limited division one volleyball league continued on Monday, September 5, 2022, at the Wildey Gymnasium.

UWI depended on Shakera “Smiley” Hall to survive as they battled from two sets down and with key setter Afiya Taylor fighting a leg injury to beat Deacons 25-23, 18-25, 16-25, 25-12, 15-9. Captain Dania Hamilton and Jayde Adams added to Hall’s attack and defence with Deacons’ left-hander Serena Edwards and former Barbados libero Marissa Dowell threatening the upset with smart attacks.

Former queens Burger King Clapham Toners were also taken to five sets in a substandard performance against Club United 23-25, 22-25, 25-8, 25-16, 16-14. With Ashley Marshall going off with an injury in the second set Toners’ Ashley Jordan’s and Janelle Chase-Mayers’ efforts were good enough to edge Club.

UWI in straight sets victory

UWI Blackbirds scored a straight sets victory when the Goddard Enterprises Limited division one volleyball league continued at the Wildey Gymnasium.

The Blackbirds surprisingly struggled in their first set before dismissing Club United 27-25, 25-8, 25-19. Club could not contend with the attack of Shakera “Smiley” Hall and Dania Hamilton plus strong blocking from Jayde Adams.

Junior knockout champions Chargers surprisingly lost their opening set to Development Volleyball in Motion before taking the match 15-25, 25-17, 25-22, 25-19 thanks to Latifah Wood, Tonya Joseph and Shaina Bradshaw.

Burger King Clapham Toners scored a straight sets win over Phoenix Security Services Carlton 25-18, 25-18, 25-15. While Carlton missed Nerissa Dyer who left on a volleyball scholarship Toners welcomed the fire from Ashley Jordan who completed her scholarship to burn Carlton.

Deacons almost squandered a two sets advantage before defeating Warrens 25-15, 25-22, 29-31, 20-25, 15-10.

UWI defends title

UWI fluttered from two sets down and two game and match points to ease home 21-25, 25-17, 25-27, 25-16, 17-15, in their defence of the Goddard Enterprises Limited division one volleyball title when the new season was served off at the Wildey Gymnasium. Outstanding play from Desanni Waithe and Kandia Shorey put the Blackbirds under great pressure.

But the superior attack of Dania Hamilton and Shakera Hall dragged the Blackbirds over the line as DVM lost the plot and the game through timid and erratic responses.

A similar performance also denied Club United a chance to upset junior knockout queens Chargers as they faded 25-20, 19-25, 23-25, 25-21, 10-15. Kianna Alleyne had looked good for Club but she lacked the attacking support and was outshone by Chargers’ Dei Padmore, Latifah Wood and Samya Jones.

Deacons are Knockout Kings

Deacons’ men are the Goddard Enterprises Limited Junior Volleyball Knockout champions. Deacons who were the defending champions from 2020 retained the crown with a 19-25, 25-16, 25-13, 25-22 win over Hill Road at the Wildey Gymnasium on Sunday, August 21, 2022.

A good crowd which included the Minister of Sport, Charles Griffith turned out for the finals with tremendous support and constant chanting and cheering for the various teams enhancing the spirit of the competition. Such support was not lost on long serving coach of Deacons Andrew Culpepper who pointed to the development of a new concept of Deacons.

“In the past we suffered from a negative label and I am proud to see the new approach where we have not only been attracting dozens of new, young players but their parents have been coming along and adding to the new Deacons. The support which we enjoyed during the finals came from the parents and many junior players who have been training at Deacons.

“We used a few experienced players in the final but generally the team was made up of young players who performed really well after getting the opportunity to show their skills. This is a good thing not only for Deacons but for Barbados’ volleyball overall,” said Culpepper.

CO Williams Foundation United took third place by beating UWI Blackbirds men 25-23, 25-15.

Hill Road, Deacons Final

Hill Road men will battle defending champions Deacons when the Goddard Enterprise Limited junior knockout finals are staged on Sunday August 21, 2022 at the Wildey Gymnasium.

Hill Road reached the men’s final in a bruising 26-24, 31-33, 25-20, 27-25 win over UWI Blackbirds. That game seemed a personal battle between former Barbados setter Dale Addison who was on fire for Hill Road and an unstoppable Carlos Cyrus who previously played with Addison for Chargers. It seemed fitting that Addison in tandem with Samuel Fraser stuff blocked Cyrus to win game and match point in set four.

In the heat of the fire at the net it was almost unnoticeable that former Barbados captain Anthazia Mason played libero for Hill Road while former St. Lucian leader Dania Hamilton filled that role for UWI. Another past Barbados skipper Renier Grace suited up for UWI and Alain London who also led Barbados men turned out for Hill Road.

The other men’s semi was a high energy game which surprisingly ended in straight sets as Deacons lead by United States based Akiel Oxley stopped CO Williams Foundation United 25-18, 25-13, 25-20. Foundation as customary added excitement by celebrating every point won.