The Cayman Islands Volleyball Federation hosted another successful international tournament with the 2011 Cayman Airways Spikefest at the University College of the Cayman Islands.
Nine teams in female and male divisions from around the region competed for medals and prize money over the weekend. “The event was a complete success again, thanks to all that helped with the organisation and we plan on this being a continuous annual event,” said Noel Williams Cayman volleyball president.
The tournament ran from Friday to Sunday at the Sir Vassel Johnson Hall. Gold medal winners were University of the West Indies Mona in the women’s tournament and Caribbean All Stars in the men’s.
UWI Mona women from Jamaica, led by captain Renae Temple, spiked and six packed their way past a formidable Cayman Sunsets in the final.
Caribbean All Stars, a multinational tour de force, survived the brilliant swipe and wipe, high velocity down spikes and paint brush game strategy of the Bahamas based Defenders, to climb top of podium in the late finish game on Sunday.
Five women teams competed. The UWI, Mosa, Venus – all Jamaica – took on Cayman’s Upsetters and Sunsets, soldiering through 26 games, over three days of riveting display of raw power, feline game craft and wicked come backs.
Clearing the battlefield of Mosa, Venus and Upsetters, Sunsets gave their all in the final, only to be overwhelmed by the punishing shots of UWI’s Kamile Dwyer, Cheryl Daley and Cherie Thompson.
After 30 hours of hand to ball-over net ferocity Kamile Dwyer (UWI), Tshai Williams (Venus), Jessica Wolfenden (Sunsets), Tracey Ann Finley (Venus), Cheryl Daley (UWI), Cherie Thompson (UWI), with Stefania Giandolfi-Libero (Sunsets) were the All Star women of the tournament.
In spite of early losses to Cayman All Stars, a ruthless Caribbean All Stars pummelled a brilliant early riser, UWI, back to third place. Caribbean All Stars took on a power packed Defenders in the final.
Administering spike and kill, stuff blocking, a bit of redwood defence Renaldo Knowles (Defenders) and Dellan Brown (Caribbean All Stars) made the final play exciting. Caribbean All Stars captain Dellon Brown led his team, unleashing Navy Seals, Saleem, Bonnor and the indefatigable Stiffla Campbell for the grand smack down for gold.
When the dust cleared the All Star men’s team were Donovon Richards (UWI), Delford Morgan (UWI), Dellan Brown (Caribbean All Stars), Saleem Ali (Caribbean All Stars), Troy Simon (Defenders), Olney ‘OT’ Thompson (Cayman All Stars) with Jon Pendleberg–Libero (Defenders) bringing up the rear.
Jessica Wolfenden (Sunsets) received the award of female Most Valuable Player (MVP) and Dellon Brown (Caribbean All Stars) was the male MVP.
Awards were presented by Paul Tibbetts of Cayman Airways and director of sports Colin Anglin.
Cayman Airways was the premier gold sponsor of the SpikeFest.
.jpg)
Related Videos
