If?Cawmere?do not make the semi-finals of the Goddard Enterprises Limited senior volleyball knockouts they can only blame themselves.
With fiery left-hander Shawn Simpson showing no concern for the court or the body of his opponents from Sandy Crest Medical Centre Deacons, Cawmere had the defending champions on the ropes before losing 24-26, 25-21, 25-20, 20-25, 15-10.
A victory would have put Cawmere in a great position to grab the third spot and face a weakened Juniors team in the semi-finals. However, the loss left them on a 1-3 record and they must defeat Progressive next week to claim the fourth spot in the semis against the unbeaten Chargers.
Former Barbados captain Elwyn Oxley took no chances as he suited up and took to the court for a very vulnerable Deacons team.
The lethal fury of Simpson, along with supporting acts from Raffael Lovell, Eadiun Cobham and the reliable Cedric Proverbs put Deacons under great pressure.
Oxley, along with Kyle Browne, Jamal Nedd and Sheldon Roach, managed to squeak out a victory, limping home in the fifth set where Cawmere made too many unforced errors to score the upset.
While Cawmere will battle Progressive next Wednesday to determine the fourth spot, Deacons meet Chargers to finalize the top three positions with Deacons being 3-1 and Chargers 4-0.
Progressive won their first match of the season by keeping Foundation United winless, 25-19, 25-18, 15-25, 25-17.
In spite of looking an improved unit with their setter acquisition from Cawmere Ramon Blades, Foundation finished the knockout season 0-5.
A similar winless status beckons Club United women after they threw away a two-sets advantage and a score of 23-17 in the third set to bow to RBC Carlton 19-25, 21-25, 34-32, 25-12, 15-13.
Shakera Jack, Ayesha Maycock and young Danielle Callender were outstanding for Carlton as Mya Evelyn proved to be the lone consistent performer for Club.
Knockout queens Brydens Rockets came from a set down to defeat last year’s losing finalists, Freek Customz Chargers, 23-25, 25-23, 25-20, 25-22. Professionals Shari Matthews and Anicia Wood blunted a tremendous effort from one of their former Rockets teammates Avara Wood.
Rockets are 4-1, Chargers are 3-1, Carlton have finished 5-1 while Club are 0-5. League queens Warrens Jaguars are 5-0 and they meet Chargers next Wednesday. Rockets will face Flow Sentry Brokers Deacons who are 3-1.
