The?2012 volleyball season serves off today with the Cooperators General Insurance senior knockouts tossing up a women’s triple header and one men’s match from 6:30 p.m. at the Garfield Sobers Sports Complex.
No surprises are expected in this first round of matches which the teams tend to use to determine what their opponents will be bringing in the new season while looking to grab one of the play-off spots.
The women’s defending champions Freekz Customz Chargers will be on court tonight when they take on the unfancied Club United at 8 p.m..
The contests begin with Brydens Rockets playing Carlton while Toners will oppose Sentry Insurance Brokers Deacons. With the men’s champions, Chargers sitting out the first round battles, tonight’s men’s game will see the Juniors taking on Foundation United at 8 p.m.
Rockets women’s will be counting on having repeat Caribbean Volleyball Championships (CVC) Best Blocker Anicia Wood and Best Spiker Shari Matthews available to make a consistent challenge for titles this year. Of course, such challenges will have to be focused on Chargers and Dania Hamilton, Thonya Joseph, Sharon Bovell, Avara Brown, Afyia Taylor and Akeelah Phillips while holding off renewed opposition from Deacons and possibly Warrens.
Some changes in the off season should see Chargers men and Deacons once again squaring off with Cawmere being the wild card in possible upsets.
Deacons will play the season without former national captain Elwyn Oxley, who has not recovered from his shoulder injury. But, some acquisitions and the maturation of their younger players could see the former rulers rising.
Deacons have gained Barbados’ reserve setter Ronald Rice from Progressive. Rice should provide a potent combination for new national captain, Jamaal Nedd and Kyle Brown with CARIFTA high jumper Klode Thompson adding elevation and fire to a re-energized Deacons.
