Primary Schools Volleyball league starts, defending champs fall

BY DEAN GREENAWAY

Ebenezer Thomas and a combined Francis Lettsome-Willard Wheatley team, kicked off the BVI Amateur Volleyball Association’s eight-team Primary Schools league at the Multipurpose Sports Complex on Saturday afternoon, while on Sunday, Mixed Talent upset defending champions G-Unit.

The Primary School league began when Captain Jahkemma Charles served up the first ball at 5:10 p.m., then went on to lead her Ebenezer Thomas team to a straight set 15-7, 15-8 and 15-9 triumph over the nervous Francis Lettsome and Willard Wheatley squad.

“It’s something exciting and different. I’ve never seen children this age play before, not even in St. Thomas, St. Croix or any of the other Caribbean islands,” said Jackie Weeks who began working with the teams along with a cadre of other coaches last year. Weeks said the teams came out a bit timid. “I don’t know what happened. Maybe it was because of the one month break we had from the after school program,” she pointed out. “I think as they continue playing, they will get more into it and that will give them more incentive to continue.”

Ivy Fahie-Cameron noted her Francis Lettsome-Willard Wheatley team was nervous. “I think it was mostly because all their teammates weren’t here and we had two other people from another school but I think that next time they will be ready and good to go,” Cameron stated.

Cameron was encouraged by Kevon Caesar’s overhand serve, which she said is good for a beginner. “I think if he continues practicing, he’ll be good in the future. Darnesha (Robinson) is aggressive,” she noted of another player. “Seanna Jack has the height, but still learning the basics of the game. I think when she gets it she’ll be a force to reckon with.”

The Ebenezer Thomas team Weeks said was saying they didn’t have competition. “I told them thy needed to come out, perform and do their best, because from their performance, we are going to be choosing an Under 15 teams,” she pointed out. “You have to come out and do your best and don’t relax because the other team is relaxing.”

In men’s play, Lowell ‘Fish’ Brumant had 22 points and setter Osbert Pole followed up with 10 as Terminators held off Mixed Talent 25-16, 25-16 and 25-22, to bounce back from an opening loss to G-Unit. Clyde Potter led Mixed Talent with 14 points and four kills. Craig Glasgow added 10.

‘n Motion capitalized on Raw Power’s missed serves and unforced errors for a see saw 22-25, 25-9, 20-25, 25-14 and 15-9 victory.

On Sunday, the fast improving Mixed Talent team pulled off the biggest upset of the young season, in only their third game. Coming off Saturday’s straight set loss to last year’s runners up Terminators; Mixed Talent outplayed defending champs G-Unit and walked off with a stunning 25-18, 20-25, 28-26 and 26-24 victory.

“This is just the start for Mixed Talent, a young team coming together. By next year, we could be champions,” Mixed Talent’s captain Clyde Potter said. “After we played Terminators last night, we realized we have the talent to beat some to the big teams in this league. Tonight was one of those nights,” he added. “It was team work and communication. We are just getting over the nervous jitters of the first few games. We have lot of new guys and everybody is feeling the feeling. We feel that we can beat a lot more of these teams and win more games.” G-Unit’s coach Kwele Williams was gracious in defeat. “Not making any excuses but most of the starting players had to be off island for family and work reasons. In order not to forfeit, we got some guys and tried to come out and at least keep a six on the court and even I had to play,” Williams explained. “Those guys can put it together but, for the team that we had, they kept us in the game. Just because some of the guys on the court aren’t the regular people and haven’t played volleyball in 15, 20 years, we weren’t active on the court tonight. But, I give them credit. When you have a chance to steal a game hat’s what you are supposed to do,” Williams noted. “But, they will feel it the next time around.”

Chix wid Trix overcame a first set 20-25 loss, to take the next three from ‘n Motion 25-18, 25-17 and 25-17. It was ‘n Motion’s second weekend lost after falling to Raw Power.