Deacons and Toners win opening matches

Flow Deacons and Burger King Clapham Toners opened their accounts in the Goddard Enterprises Barbados Volleyball Association Division One on a winning note on Monday at the Bond at Kensington Oval.

 

Deacons came up against Charger in the first game of the double header women’s matches and they were made to fight for the victory as Chargers came back strong after losing the first set.

 

With the lower roof of the Bond, both teams had more than their share of balls going out of bounds as they hit the lights or roof in the Bond.

After a number of runs by both teams which saw five-point leads dwindling to nothing, it was Deacons who managed to stave off the challenge to win three sets to one, 25-23, 16-25, 25-21, 25-20 and open their account on a high.

 

In the second game Toners looked to be in control on the match as Carlton seemed a bit rusty and had a number of unforced errors as well as miscommunication on the court.

But after winning the first two set 25-23, 25-20, Toners found themselves in a fight for the third set as Carlton was not ready to give up.

 

Carlton had given up leads in the earlier sets as Toners turned to their captain Ashley Jordan, Cherisse Austin and veteran Shennel Pooler when they needed a run.

In the third set Carlton came from 14-11 down to level the score and a see-saw battle ensued for the next few points.

 

Carlton finally got a small cushion as they opened up to a 21-19 lead late in the set. The lead went up to three point 23-20 before Toners puled back two points as both sides displayed some impressive scramble defense.

 

However at 23-22 it was a bit too late for the Toners and Carlton forced a fourth set.

 

In the fourth set it the Toners once again gave up a 14-11 lead to see Carlton drawing level but this when the blocks of toners Danielle Brathwaite and Jordan combined to reject the attack of Carlton.

 

Then Pooler stepped in to set to allow Jordan who was the starting setter to step up and attack.

 

Jordan starting hitting the ball into the net and the Toners had to revert back to the original game plan of Jordan setting which saw them cruise over the finish line to win 25-21 in the fourth set and win the match.

 

Games continue today at the Bond and it is the men’s turn to take to the court with as Deacons comes up against All Stars in the first match and Foundation United will play Barbados Bearing and W Gittens Landscaping Progressive in the second game.