Latest update November 26th, 2024 1:00 AM
Second Int. Invitational Club Festival…Big Sepos are male Kings following epic battle; Yelyco sweep female Goodwill series
By Franklin Wilson
The second edition of the Guyana Volleyball Federation (GVF) Invitational International Club Festival ended in breathtaking fashion on Sunday evening at the National Gymnasium with Trinidad and Tobago’s Big Sepos crowned male kings, staving off a spirited challenge from Suriname’s Yelyco to win the four set thriller, 3-1.
The jubilant Yelyco Female Volleyball Club following the presentation of prizes.
It was the perfect climax to three days of riveting volleyball, which saw five male clubs including three from Guyana along with two female sides (Suriname and Guyana) battling for supremacy. The fact that there were no cash incentives at stake didn’t in no way compromise the intensity and professional manner in which matches were contested, from start to end.
On the distaff side, while the Surinamese side Yelyco swept the series, the Guyanese ladies, Vanguard (recently formed club), kept improving with every game and this was evident as they almost won the final set of their third and final game, going down 25-22 having lost the first two in the best of five contest, 25-11, 25-10.
Captain Nikita Samaroo in some inspired setting kept the Guyanese within striking distance in the third set. Vanguard were 3-0 up at the start of the set before Yelyco clawed their way back, took the lead but Vanguard, through some inspired play took the lead again at 17-16 but were not able to hold on to win the set.
Prior to Sunday’s final game, Vanguard lost the previous two matches at 17, 16 and 10 and 12. Suriname took away all the individual prizes, copping the Best Receiver and Most Valuable Player trophies was Sigourney Kame with the Best Spiker trophy awarded to Chagnaz Frankel.
But the game of the night was undoubtedly the final. When the two sides met in the preliminary stage of the competition, when all the games were three setters, Big Sepos had prevailed, both teams ending that stage with ten points each to advance to the semis.
The other two teams were local club sides, Port Mourant Training Centre (PMTC) and Young Achievers, the former met Yelyco, while the latter faced Big Sepos. While Big Sepos ran away 3-0 winners over Achievers 25-23, 25-18, 28-26; Yelyco had a tougher time getting past PMTC.
We are #1! The triumphant Big Sepos Volleyball Club enjoy a Kodak moment with supporters and officials.
The Berbice based side after losing the first set 25-18, rebounded to take the second set 29-27 in a close battle. In a bid to repeat the second set performance, the Berbicians faltered as they lost back to back sets 25-19, 25-15.
So the stage was set for a grand finale and the teams didn’t disappoint. Fellow teammates and supporters in the stands added much life to the action with their chanting and applauding. The players too, were energetic in their play, neither side letting up.
Neither side allowed the other to rack up any significant lead, underscoring the closeness of the battle, the first set ending 25-22 in favour of Big Sepos.
Yelyco were in no mood to be swept three set straight and their attitude at the beginning of the second set confirmed that position. They ran ahead 5-0 and despite Big Sepos drawing close 11-10 and even leveling at 13, Yelyco went on to win 25-18.
The best was yet to come, by now, both sides were well warm to the task and the game was well and truly on. Fighting to gain the advantage, some exciting exchanges ensued with all the stops being pulled out by the sides.
It was the team from the Land of Soca that went on to win another breathtaking set, 30-28. By now, one would have thought that three days of intense battles in a hot arena would have drained the players but that certainly wasn’t the case.
In a marathon and riveting fourth set which ended up being the decider, the lead changed hands regularly and coming down to the end, the play was entertaining as neither team were prepared to give up much space.
But there had to be a winner and it was Big Sepos that prevailed 34-32, the organisers – GVF and the local clubs in a joint effort – could not ask for more; the fans were truly satisfied.
Big Sepos’ David Camacho was named the Most Valuable Player of the Festival with his Captain, Nolan Task taking the Best Spiker accolade. Yelyco’s F. Belle was named Best Receiver.
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
A call for more cultural centres
…Peeping Tom Kaieteur News- Burnham’s decision to divert the Indian Immigration Fund towards constructing the National... more
Rising Gun Crimes in the Caribbean: Urgent Action required by all
By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News – There is an alarming surge in gun-related violence, particularly among younger... more
Weekend Cartoon
