New knockout kings Chargers made an easy start to their bid to become double crown champions by dismissing Foundation in straight sets when the Goddard Enterprises Limited Division One Volleyball League began Sunday at the Garfield Sobers Sports Complex.
Chargers defeated the struggling Foundation United 25-17, 25-19, 25-13, with just one of the six games on the evening’s card threatening to ignore the script.
Ironically, that match involved former double crown queens Freekz Customz Chargers as they were taken to five sets by the unfancied Club United.
With Dania Hamilton missing from Chargers’ line-up and Sharon Bovell dropping down to the lower division, Chargers were stunned by young Mya Evelyn and a total team approach from Club before the former champions were able to limp home 24-26, 25-20, 14-25, 25-14, 15-7.
Brydens Rockets rebounded from their loss in the knockout finals by dismissing RBC Carlton 25-16, 25-19, 25-13.
League queens Warrens Jaguars dropped the first set to Toners before taking the match 26-28, 25-23, 25-15, 25-15. The benching of the experienced setter Sophia Walcott for Sherry Norris saw Norris unleashing six footer Rhe-Ann Niles on a night of deadly attacks that consistently threatened the life and limbs of the Toners.
Sandy Crest Medical Centre Deacons, the losing men’s knockout finalists, blew past Cawmere 25-21, 25-21, 25-21 in spite of the fiery challenge from Shawn Simpson as Elwyn Oxley enjoyed the luxury of remaining on the bench as the coach.
Early in the evening, Progressive had stopped the Juniors 25-11, 25-17, 25-14.
With the Youth Championships slated for Trinidad and Tobago in December, only those players who qualify by age will be turning out for the Juniors in the league. Thus, the Juniors will be hard-pressed to match their stellar performance in the recently concluded knockouts.
