An impressive streak by Barbados’ women volleyballers ended in heartbreak in the capital of Trinidad and Tobago yesterday.
?For the first time in 14 Caribbean Volleyball Championships, the six-time queens will be returning home empty-handed.
The Bajans won just one game at the tournament being played in the Jean Pierre Complex and yesterday they were hammered by Suriname in the bronze medal match 25-12, 25-22, 25-15 with former MVP Shari Matthews playing another attacking but losing game for her team.
Barbados were always in trouble after losing a preliminary game to the spiking might of Suriname and with six footer Anicia Wood battling an elbow injury, the Bajans’ woes were magnified. Captain Thonya Joseph played her best game of the tournament while leading blocker rookie Shani Leacock proved consistent once again.
However, veterans Julia Lewis and Avara Browne continued to be non-paying passengers on a flight to nowhere. While libero Akila Phillips struggled in defence and reception, setter Akeelah Blenman showed greater ball handling. But, unfortunately Blenman’s short stature was totally exploited by the tall, leaping Surinamese.
If the blistering attacks from Sandrina Hunsel, Sigourney Kame and Chavelli Wip were not enough, Suriname passed to perfection and their ground defence was superior. Barbados surged from 13-16 in the second set to lock the scores right up to 22.
After losing that set and looking hopeless of taking the third, coach Andrew Brathwaite opted to give court time to his reserves.
Brathwaite, who previously won silver and bronze at the head of the Barbados team, pointed to a number of factors for the disappointing performance.
“There were some personal issues that we had to deal with at home but on reaching the games it became obvious that we had only made superficial corrections.
“An injury to our original libero meant that we had to install Akila in that position and our problem increased with injuries to Anicia and Avara,” said Brathwaite.
The coach indicated that there were a number of players in the team such as 14-year-old Ashley Jordan who had the potential to emulate some of the junior boys in becoming a starter on the senior team. Brathwaite also had praises for six footer Shani Leacock who was topping the blocking stats and who will be taking up a United States scholarship from Tuesday.
“There are a number of players who have to be retired and I am presently preparing a development programme for the association where we must aggressively pursue taller players while emphasising the need for greater development of strength and speed to match and surpass our opponents,” said Brathwaite.
