Young Achievers volleyball team finished on top of the points table as the preliminary rounds of the True Champions Volleyball Tournament (TCVT) concluded Saturday at the GuySuCo Training Centre, Port Mourant, Berbice.
Though missing some key players, Young Achievers lost just two games (in the twos format) to close the day with the best record, a total of 311 points and the $20,000 top prize.
Young Achievers have now won both prizes on offer for the best team of the preliminary rounds which puts them in a commanding position for the overall $80,000 prize and a trophy for the winners of the tournament.
Port Mourant with 293 points, occupy second place and carted off the runner-up monthly prize of $10,000, while Castrol Strikers (288 points), secured the third position with Rollers (274 points) grabbing the remaining qualifying position for the final.
In Saturday’s action, Castrol Strikers almost gave Young Achievers their first loss of the tournament by winning the first set.
But Young Achievers won the remaining two sets to triumph 15-13, 13-15 and 12-15.
The key player on the Young Achievers team, Randy Adams, was well supported by Christopher Ramsundar, Creston Rodney and Wendell Austin while Castrol Strikers’ Adolph Davis and Dester Hoppie tried their best to keep the team competitive.
Port Mourant showed remarkable improvement since the last round and gave all their opponents a rough time before scoring an upset win over Rollers in the two’s format 21-16.
Impressive for them was the six-foot plus Quacy Matheison while captain Jared Jhingree and Trevor Lucas supported admirably.
The other team GuySuCo Training School (GTS) too seemed to be gaining strength under the tutelage of former national player Levi Nedd.
Rollers, who was positioned second heading into Saturday’s play were a bit below par but had good performances from Setter Errol Chase along with Seon Wilson, Imran Azeez and Mark DaCosta.
Both the 2’s and 4’s formats were used during the day’s play, but according to the organisers, teams will have the opportunity to chose which two formats they would like to use including the 6’s in the final stages of the competition.
In other games played Saturday GTS lost to Castrol Strikers 15-6, 8-15, 13-15; Port Mourant went down to Young Achievers 9-15, 15-9, 13-15; Castrol Strikers beat GTS 21-19 (2’s); Port Mourant crushed Young Achievers 21-12 (2’s); Rollers beat GTS 15-12, 15-7.
Also, Rollers edged GTS 21-19 (2’s); Castrol Strikers squeezed past Young Achievers 21-17 (2’s); Port Mourant upset Rollers 14-15, 15-6, 15-13; Young Achievers cruised past GTS 15-3, 15-14; Young Achievers defeated GTS 21-10 (2’s); Rollers rolled over Castrol Strikers 15-14, 10-15, 15-13.
Meanwhile, Castrol Strikers beat Rollers 21-13 (2’s); Young Achievers hammered Rollers 15-4, 15-10; Castrol Strikers defeated Port Mourant 15-11, 15-11; Young Achievers narrowly beat Rollers 21-20 (2’s) and Port Mourant wrapped up a good day with a 21-16 win over Castrol Strikers (2’s).
The semi-finals and final will be played on September 11 and 18 respectively at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
The semi-final match-up will see Young Achievers battling Rollers while Port Mourant will take on Castrol Strikers.
The winners of both matches will advance to the final with the two losers facing off in the third place playoff.
