Jus Dream win VIVA Men’s Power League Championship
Just like in the earlier Women’s game, Gunz ran away with the opening set, 25-14 and in similar fashion the favourites bounced back to win the next 3 sets 25-23, 25-21 and 25-23.
After the first set in which Carlton O’Neal, Neville Brathwaite and Nevin Brathwaite had been inspirational from the service line and at the net, Jus Dream found some increased energy to first edge their way back into the match and then storm to victory albeit without ever really dominating their opponents.
“It’s a game of energy,” commented Rhennie Phipps. “We gathered ourselves after the first set, got the energy flowing in the second; It spilled over into the third and lasted until the fourth!”
Indeed Phipps and Travas Jack began to control the net defensively with a series of gravity defying leaps to block spikes, attempted kills and set up attacks for Canice Marquise to finish off as they took the 2nd set to level the match.
The 3rd set saw Norville Brathwaite and Paul Mourillon keep the Gunz in contention as both teams fought for the advantage, but with Marlon Solomon adding to the defensive prowess and the Potter boys, Willis and Clyde, digging and setting, Jus Dream took the set 25-21.
Despite a lot of tub thumping, back slapping high fives and lingering stares at the net, Jus Dream still couldn’t claim total superiority and the 4th set was another tense see saw affair. Clyde Potter Junior showed some great attacking qualities to keep the Gunz in touch throughout the set, but with Phipps keeping Akeem Robinson and Trevor Burrell off the scoreboard, Jus Dream secured the Championship with a decisive 25-23 win.
“Whenever our two teams meet it’s going to be competitive,” noted Phipps. “It's all about who has the most energy on the night and tonight we showed we could hold them, whilst executing our sets and kills.”
At the Awards Presentation that followed the game, Leon Smith took honours for Most Kills, Most Digs and Best Server. Solomon claimed the Most Blocks, Norville Brathwaite was named Best Setter and the MVP was Marquise.
In more encouraging news for the sports' development, it has also now been confirmed by VIVA President Sabinah Clement that the site of the NORCECA Men’s World Championship Qualification Tournament 2nd Round, Pool-K, has been moved from Dominican Republic to Tortola, Virgin Islands, whilst the Women will be off to St Croix for their 2nd round group.
The Men will play from July 25-29 with the three other participating teams in the competition being St Vincent and the Grenadines, Panama and the Dominican Republic.
Last year the Dominican Republic hosted and won the first-round tournament pool C with a victory over Haiti. St Vincent and Grenadines and Panama finished second in pools B and G respectively while British Virgin Islands was third at home in pool F.
The Women will face the USVI, including Danielle Selkridge and Valissia Brathwaite, St Vincent and the Grenadines and El Salvador with action running from May 23-25.
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