Jamaica Mortgage Bank’s high energy debut
Jamaica Mortgage Bank’s high energy debut
in the Supreme Ventures sponsored 2013 Business House Volleyball Indoor League was soured by defending Mixed Team champions the Jamaica Defence Force in day one of league play yesterday, (Sunday, June 9, 2013). The JDF capped the 10-match day with a 2-0 win, (21-8, 21-15), over the JMB Lenders, who, though spirited, did not display the consistency needed to make the soldiers ‘Quick March’.
The victory over JMB was the second success for the JDF that day, as their Male Team earlier defeated the BOJ Gators 2-0, (21-7, 21-10). This was the most lopsided of the day’s scores, just eclipsing the 2-0 victory by the defending Male champions, the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), who rolled over the JUTC 21-10, 21-13. The talk has already begun as to whether the defending champions can keep the soldiers from re-taking the title, as both teams look set to top their zones ahead of the Knock-Out Section of the League which begins on June 30. The JCF also won their Mixed Team match, but by a 2-1 margin over the BOJ-19-21, 21-7, 21-11.
In other results from the day’s play, the UWI Pelicans won their three matches. First up, their Lady Pelicans won against Guardian Life in a match that was more closely contested than had first appeared, yielding final scores of, 2-0, (21-15, 21-16). Playing with less than 6 players, the UWI displayed more technical skill than the spirited Guardian Life females. The match was delayed between the first two sets however, as the officials and the organizers tried to iron out the interpretation of one of the tournament rules, which allow teams to play with less than six players on court. The organizers will continue the discussion with the officials this week, ahead of circulating a final decision on the rule interpretation before the start of next weekend’s play.
The Male Pelicans had a seesaw match against AMECO, eventually prevailing 2-1 (21-8; 19-21-21-9). The AMECO team on court was a far cry from the 2012 representation, lacking their usual self-confidence and spirit. In the UWI’s third match of the day, they came up against the Liquidators from the NWC, and despite a 21-16 first set victory by the NWC, the UWI swam away 21-14, 21-12 in the next two sets to win 2-1.
Other Sunday action saw the BOJ chomping on the NWC female liquidators 2-1. As the defending female and overall champions, the BOJ came out with sharp teeth, and won the first set 21-5. The Liquidators, always known for their tremendous fighting spirit, fought to the very end of the sudden-death second set and won 21-20. The final set saw close scores in the early part of the game, but the BOJ was not going to start their defense of their championship on a losing note, and lose they did not, as they won the final set 21-11, to take the match 2 sets to 1.
After their loss to the BOJ the NWC females did not get any reprieve to their drought, going down 2-1 to Sagior, 21-18, 10-21; 21-19. The winners of last week’s Dress Parade, Team Sagicor showed determination and level-headedness, fighting doggedly for every hard earned point against their more experienced opponents.
In the other match for the day, the JUTC made up for their earlier loss in the Male division with a 2-1 victory over Guardian’s mixed team. Coming into the game Guardian knew that the key to defeating the JUTC was to come out blazing, get ahead, and hold on. They did just that and won the set 21-19. However, the JUTC team then started the bus, driving it through the attempted road block of the Guardian Lifers to stop them in the next two sets at 12 and 13.
Though the day was long, with play going to the third and deciding set in most (60%), of the matches, spectators, coaches, and players enjoyed the roller coaster ride through what turned out to be a fine day of volleyball. What this extended play proves is that despite having started with a skill level of mostly average to no skills at all, the overall level of play in the Business House competition has improved tremendously.
The Supreme Ventures Indoor League continues next Sunday, June 16 at the UWI Gymnasium (Mona Bowl), with 10 more matches in the round-robin phase. Matches will start at 9:30 a.m. and entry is free to the public.
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