Barbados needed to repeat their victory over Suriname last night to return from the World Championship Men’s Group P volleyball qualifiers in Havana with the bronze medal.
The hosts would have been looking to replicate their win over the Dominican Republic to snare the gold and the ticket to the finals in Poland.
On Friday night big left-hander Shawn Simpson with nine kills, two blocks and an ace led Barbados to a 25-22, 25-18, 25-16 triumph over Suriname to place third in the preliminaries.
In a cat and mouse game between the two unbeaten teams, The Dominican Republic “hid” most of their starters which saw Cuba taking their contest 25-14, 20-25, 25-17, 25-14.
Cuba and The Dominican Republic would have battled for that all important ticket last night.
Simpson’s performance at the qualifier has landed him in a joint third spot with German Recio of the Dominican Republic among the best scorers.
The next highest Bajan is Kyle Browne at position 11 with Ammuniki Wood 15th and Akeem Payne 16th.
On Friday night, Browne came off of the bench to slam nine kills for Barbados with the experienced Fabian Cox struggling to make an impact for his team. (KB)
