Barbados are into their 14th successive Caribbean Volleyball Championships semi-finals after defeating host Trinidad and Tobago in four sets at the Jean Pierre Complex on Wednesday night.
Barbados came from a set down to silence Trinidad and Tobago and their home supporters 20-25, 25-23, 25-22, 25-18. Once again southpaw Shawn Simpson led the Bajan assault, scoring 16 points to surge to the top of the best scorers’ list with 33 points from two games.
Veteran Fabian Cox delivered a great all round game with his serves and passing while adding 11 points for Barbados. The play of captain and setter Alain London kept Barbados two steps away from the title match as he piloted Barbados into tomorrow’s semi-finals while jumping to the top of the setters’ ranking.
Trinidad and Tobago will play in today’s quarter-finals along with the other Group B team, Suriname. Defending champions, The Bahamas qualified from Group A for the other semis ticket after taking a five setter from Jamaica 25-22, 22-25, 20-25, 25-21, 15-10.
The Bahamas women, however, were trounced in straight sets by Jamaica 25-19, 25-14, 25-18, who now join queens Trinidad and Tobago with 2-0 records. Barbados would have been hoping to give the Bahamas a second serving of defeat as the Bajan girls look for their first win at the games last night.
Unbeaten teams Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago were due to meet last night.
Today, Barbados will oppose the Suriname side with the hopes of taking that game and relegating Suriname to the last spot and out of contention for the top four. (KB)
