FOR THE SECOND NIGHT this week a large crowd of sports fans and family is expected to turn up at the Grantley Adams International Airport to welcome home champion performers.
On Tuesday it was the turn of the CARIFTA team, and Thursday night the Barbados junior volleyball squad returns after retaining their Cazova Under-21 crown in Suriname on Tuesday night.
The Bajans defeated pre-tournament favourites Haiti 25-10, 25-17, 25-16 to become the first country in the 11th edition of the tournament to win and repeat without dropping a set.
It was somewhat of a surprise considering that all of the coaches from the other four countries had tipped the first timers Haiti to take the top spot.
Barbados had also launched this year’s tournament on Saturday night with a straight-sets win over Haiti, who held the upper hand 22-15 in the opening set but hardly threatened afterwards. Best spiker Jean Phillips Byol played with great venom throughout the event.
However, with all of the Barbados juniors boasting experience in their respective division one teams, the champions showed their worth in neutralising the French connection.
Oxley duo
Cousins Akeel Oxley and Ashe Oxley relished the setting of number one playmaker Chad Callender to stun Haiti easier than the first clash. The blocking of Akeil Williams proved crucial in maintaining Barbados’ dominance.
Captain Brandon Callender, twin brother of Chad, played a good all-round game, while Kadeem Morris once again was solid in attack as well as with his ground play.
By targeting Byol and shutting him down at the net while blasting Haiti’s shocked net and ground defence, Barbados muscled their way to a facile win in the opening set of the finals. Sticking to that game plan, the Bajans sauntered to victory and the title, although Haiti made some late surges to get back into the contest.
In addition to claiming the overall title, Barbados snatched four of the eight individual awards. Akeel, who won the schools’ MVP for Christ Church Foundation last week, was voted MVP at Cazova. His cousin Ashe was voted Best Outside Power Hitter while the Best Blocker was awarded to Williams. Callender was elected Best Setter.
The victory was extra sweet for coach John Stuart, assistant coach Elwyn Oxley and manager Valmay Stapleton, who have all captained champion Barbados squads at the Cazova level.
It was sweeter still for Oxley as he is the father of Ashe and the uncle of Akeel.‘Spectacular performance’
“What made this tournament interesting as well was that Barbados, in the last junior championship, won without losing a set and came back and defended without losing a set. That in itself is a spectacular performance,” said former Caribbean MVP Elwyn Oxley.
“These boys put down one of the best performances I have witnessed of any Barbados team, particularly in their wins over Haiti.”
The young champions, who return from South America Thursday at 9:45 p.m., have booked tickets for the Norceca Under-21 tournament to be held in Nicaragua in June. (KB)
