Current Demerara Volleyball Association (DVA) Champions, Young Achievers VC, disposed of a select Demerara Under -19 team in straight sets during the opening match of the DVA A – Division Volleyball league at the Guyana National Gymnasium, last evening.
Achievers quickly smashed their way past the under – 19s, 25 – 17, 25 – 13, 25 – 15 to aggressively assert themselves as strong contenders for the league title.
The second match, however, was more evenly contested between Bartica Warriors and Castrol Strikers, which was won by the Warriors three sets to two.
Warriors, who at one stage led by eight points at 16 – 8, won the first set 25 – 22 after a late surge by strikers which nearly earned them the first set.
Strikers, however, bounced back to take the second set 25 – 21 after it was tied at 13 and 19. The seesaw battle continued with Warriors taking the third 25 – 22 to go 2 – 1 up.
The contest was tied at two sets apiece when Castrol smashed their way past Warriors 25 – 8 in the fourth. Warriors, however, held their nerve to take the fifth and final set and the game 15 – 13 after it was tied at 8 and 10 points.
The league, however, was paused for the opening ceremony where Director of Sports Christopher Jones highlighted the significance of the undertaking and moreso pointing out the pleasing sight of seeing a female component of the league.
He lauded the president of the Demerara Volleyball Association for staging the competition while committing to lend his support and that of National Sports Commission in ensuring the league is a success.
It was announced that the league will be contested on the final weekends of May, June, and July, at various venues across the county with the final set for Bartica on July, 29th.
The male participating teams are Young Achievers Volleyball Club, Castrol Strikers, Bartica Warriors and a select Demerara under – 19.
The female leg of the league which will commence on Sunday will see Castrol Strikers, Vanguards Volleyball Club, Linden and Pakuri Warriors of St. Cuthbert’s Mission going head to head for female honors.
The league which is the first of its kind is sponsored by Stag Beer, Bakewell, the National Sports Commission, Ministry of Social Protection, the office of the Prime Minister, and Ramesh Trophy Stall.