Barbados’ Under-21 volleyballers’ NORCECA journey hit a big bump on Friday night with a quarter-final meltdown against Puerto Rico in El Salvador.
Playing their worst game at the most critical time, Barbados lost their first match of the NORCECA Men’s Under-21 Championship 13-25, 18-25, 12-25.
Puerto Rico out-spiked Barbados 34-21, out-blocked 11-5 and served six aces to nil by the Bajans. Roberto Perez led with 15 kills and two aces, with Jon Rivera and Felix Martinez adding 11 and ten points for the winners.
Barbados could not match the speed and power of their opponents, with Jabarry Goodridge scoring just six kills and two blocks while Carlos Cyrus scored seven kills and captain Ammuniki Wood won four attacks only.
While Barbados continued to struggle with the non-scoring skills such as reception and digging, for the first time they were let down by their blocking and spiking.
Coach John Stuart was forced to use all of his players for the first time in the tournament in the hopes of gaining some momentum.
Setter Paul Doughty returned to the court in the third set and after a 4-0 start Barbados faded as the scores were locked at four, five and six before Puerto Rico opened up a 15-6 lead to take the third set and the match.
“It will be difficult to assimilate defeat, because we could play better and we could not give everything,” said Wood.
“This tournament will serve us well. The experience for the players going to other categories and those who fall into this category will be important.”
Stuart accepted the loss graciously.
“I have to congratulate Puerto Rico [who] played ??a good game. They deserved to win, but I also congratulate my players because they played well. We hope to work very hard to try to repeat the win against El Salvador.”
Puerto Rico coach Juan Aviles was quite optimistic about his team’s chances.
“After a difficult game against Canada, [we went] into this game with a great desire to be in the semi-final and we demonstrated [that], getting the win. We will have a team meeting to discuss the game against Cuba. They are the favourite and the best in this tournament.”
Puerto Rico skipper Brian Negron agreed, and had words of consolation for Barbados.
“We must keep focus and work harder for the match against Cuba in [the] semi-finals. Barbados have a lot of players who can be very strong, there is a lot of talent, so we have to keep working to not be left behind,” he said.
In a battle of the northern Caribbean, Puerto Rico will meet four-time champions Cuba today.
The North American clash pits two-time defending champs the United States against Canada, who have won twice and ended runners-up four times.
The semi-finals will be preceded by a match between Barbados and host El Salvador for the fifth spot. Barbados will want to end their debut at the Under-21 championship in the same manner which they started, by scoring an upset over the hosts. (KB)
