Undefeated Barbados’ men storm into final
Web Posted - Mon Jul 05 2004
By Corey Greaves

BARBADOS’ Fabian Cox with a game high 14 kills guided the eight-time Caribbean champions Barbados to the final of the 2004 Caribbean Volleyball Championship (CVC).

The Bajan men overpowered Martinique 25-13, 25-22, 25-19 in their semifinal match on Saturday when the tournament continued at the gymnasium of the Garfield Sports Sports Complex, Wildey.

It took 58 minutes for Barbados to dispose of Marnique and continue their unbeaten run into the final where they will come up against Jamaica.

Making a dramatic return to action after being rested in the least game, Cox was well supported by Renier Grace who finished with 11 kills and captain Elwyn Oxley who had ten kills.

In the first set Barbados’ Jamaal Nedd got things started with a sizzling spike from the middle. However it was Martinique who opened a two-point-lead (4-2) early in the set.

Barbados quickly countered with the combined hitting of Oxley and Cox to surge ahead 8-5 at the first technical time out. Barbados continued to widen the gap as they went on a 6-2 run and carried the score to 14-7, inspired by a well timed block by Dale Addison and Nedd.

As the well tuned Barbados’ team continued to domninate the first set a number of time outs were called by Martinique’s coach Joby Clairicia.

Cox with his thunderous hitting from the outside left wing continued to put away his opportunities and Nedd closed out the set 25-13.

In the second set Grace stepped up his hitting but neither team was able to pull away as they traded points from the onset until the score reached 20-20.

That is when Martinique showed signs of deterioration while Barbados opened a two-point lead.

A time out was called by Martinique as the coach tried to compose his team which had done well to stay close until this point.

But Martinique was only able to win one additional point after the time out as Barbados claimed this set at 25-21. The third saw some long rallies as Martinique fought for all its worth to stay alive in the match.

Two blocks by Oxley saw Barbados open a three-point lead 13-10 but they were quickly caught by the visitors 13-12.

A dink by Oxley gave Barbados a two-point lead shortly afterwards and Martinique again called a time out. Barbados continued to hold onto the lead until a kill by Grace sparked a 5-1 run which took the score to 24-17. During the run the Barbados libero Sylvester Clarke came up with a big time dig along with Oxley blocking in the front court to stop Martinique’s come back.

Grace started the run and also sealed Martinique’s fate with a kill from the outside left corner, 25-19.

Compliments of the Barbados Advocate

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