Month: December 2023

CARIFTA countdown

The 2024 CARIFTA Aquatics Championships is all set for March 28 to April 7, 2024 at the Betty Kelly-Kenning Aquatic Centre.

The 2024 CARIFTA Aquatics Championships is all set for March 28 to April 7, 2024 at the Betty Kelly-Kenning Aquatic Centre.

As of Thursday, December 21, 2023

#By TENAJH SWEETING

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

#The countdown is now officially on for the 2024 CARIFTA Aquatics Championships slated to be held right here on home soil at the Betty Kelly-Kenning Aquatic Centre March 28 to April 7.

#The event was launched yesterday during a press conference held at the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture as preparations are now being made to have a good hosting next year.

#With plans now in motion for next year’s swimming showdown, the Local Organising Committee (LOC) along with the Bahamas Aquatics Federation are making an appeal to corporate Bahamas and citizens to aid them in raising $1 million as they look to win their sixth consecutive title on home turf.

#Algernon Cargill, president of The Bahamas Aquatics Federation, spoke on the continued success of Team Bahamas on their journey to potentially winning another championship. “It is no secret that we are the only federation in The Bahamas to win five consecutive CARIFTA titles and winning any of these titles was not easy. We have convincingly won seven of the last eight CARIFTA Aquatics Championships. We are the only country that can boast of this outstanding CARIFTA swimming record and Team Bahamas will continue this legacy in 2024.

#“Winning our sixth title at home will not be easy and we will certainly need the support of Bahamians, particularly corporate Bahamas, to support the marketing efforts of the Local Organising Committee. “Our goal is to raise $1 million and while this has never been done before by aquatics, we believe that it is indeed possible. We ask corporate Bahamas and every Bahamian citizen to support Team Bahamas by contributing any amount to this fundraising goal,” Cargill said. The Bahamas will host the CARIFTA Aquatics Championships for a fifth time. Over the years, the nation has proven itself to be a dominant force on the waters. Team Bahamas claimed its first win at the event in 2007. Seven years later, the country earned a win in Savaneta, Aruba and won again the following year. After Martinique emerged victorious in 2016, Team Bahamas reeled off five straight wins with the most recent one secured in Curaçao. This time around they picked up a record number of medals with 85 in total including 37 gold medals, 27 silver medals and 21 bronze medals.

#Marvin Johnson, who racked up nine medals in Curaçao, will be competing in his final year at the CARIFTA Swimming Championships and wants Bahamians to come out and support.

#“This year will be my last CARIFTA Games and I am fortunate to be at home in The Bahamas. It means a lot to me not only to represent The Bahamas but to also to swim in front of my family and friends who have never seen me do it before,

#“I know swimming is not the most popular sport and we do not get as much recognition as we deserve but being on the team for the past five consecutive championships I can tell you we are full of heart and we love to represent The Bahamas. I do encourage you all to come out and support once the day has come. I promise you it won’t be a show that you would want to miss,” he said.

#According to Cargill, at next year’s hosting of the swimming championships senior athletes will have a unique opportunity to use the event as a qualifier for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games as well as the 2024 World Aquatics Championships.

#“What is exciting about these CARIFTA games unlike any other CARIFTA games is that The Bahamas has introduced an 18 and over category for events 50m,100m and 200m in distance. This is going to give our senior athletes particularly an opportunity to compete along with the CARIFTA athletes at the 2024 championships here in Nassau,” he said.

#The division will be open to all CARIFTA swimmers and will only be contested for medals not points.

#Among those optimistic about the CARIFTA Aquatics Championships returning to home soil is Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg.

#“It is my great pleasure to declare that The Bahamas has been chosen as the host country for the upcoming CARIFTA Swimming Championships in the coming year. To us this is not just a memorable occasion, it is a testament to our commitment to youth, excellence, sportsmanship and the undeniable passion we have for sports in our country,

#“As we prepare to host this exhilarating competition we do so with the intention of defending our title with pride, determination, and the undeniable spirit that characterizes The Bahamas…As we dive into the preparations for the CARIFTA Swimming Championship let us embrace the spirit of unity, sportsmanship and friendly competition. Let us come together as a community to support our swimmers, showcase the warmth and hospitality of The Bahamas and create lasting memories for all participants and spectators alike,” the Minister said.

#Individuals interested in making the road to a six-peat at home more seamless can reach out to Jurelle Munnings, chief executive officer of the LOC, or Lynne Fraino, head of marketing and public relations, at 803-5762 or via email at CARIFTAXXX@BahamasAquatics.com

Tennis players advance to the finals

As of Thursday, December 21, 2023

#By TENAJH SWEETING

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

#FOUR players advanced to the 2023 Giorgio Baldacci Open National Tennis Championships yesterday at the National Tennis Centre (NTC), in addition to qualifying to represent The Bahamas at the Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup tournaments.

#Sydney Clarke, the top seed in women’s singles along with third seed Simone Pratt will go head-to-head in the finals today to be crowned the 2023 national champion in the women’s division.

#Additionally, next year both ladies will play on the national team at the Billie Jean King Cup tournament.

#Veteran tennis players Rodney Carey Jr and Baker Newman are due for a chess match on the tennis court today as the tournament’s more seasoned players meet in the finals.

#The duo will represent Team Bahamas at the Davis Cup tournament.

#The battle of the veterans is all set for today after Newman knocked off Howard University’s Michael Major Jr in the semifinals. The former, who was motivated after being sidelined due to illness last year, utilised his experience to drop Major Jr in straight sets.

#He ran away with set one 6-2 and followed it up with a score of 6-3 to solidify a spot in the final round.

#After being away from the sport briefly, he was happy to qualify for the national team to represent the country and make it to the final stage.

#“It is always good to win, I am happy to join the team. It is always good to play against a teammate to push each other and have fun. For me personally it is nice, last time I lost in the semifinals so it feels good to be back in the finals,” he said.

#Despite competing in a tough quarterfinals match against Donte Armbrister on Tuesday, the experienced tennis player said he came out ready for his match against Major Jr. “I woke up a little sore but I had a good warm up, took a hot shower, got ready to play and I think I was a little more ready to start than MJ was today. The wind definitely played a factor, it was tough conditions. I think I just was tougher out there and with the third opponent being the wind you just kind of had to use it to your advantage,” he said.

#Carey Jr upset the defending champion Denali Nottage to make it back to his first Giorgio Baldacci finals since 2014, which he won. The victory was especially sweet for the former national champion as he was able to avenge last year’s loss to the same opponent in the semifinals. He bested the Freeport native 6-2, 7-6(3).

#“I knew it was gonna be a good match because I lost to Denali last year so I was expecting a tough match whereas last year I wasn’t really aware of how well he was playing so I might have underestimated him. This year I knew he was gonna come tough so I was ready for it. I think I came a lot more prepared because I wanted to give it my best shot to make the team,” he said.

#With his latest goal now accomplished, he talked about how it felt to get it done and secure a spot in today’s finals.

#“This feels good, that is what we are here for to try and represent the country. It is always an honour for me to be able to come out and make the team so I just wanna come out tomorrow and give it my best shot,” he said.

#The highly-anticipated match between the 22-year-old Clarke and Takaii Adderley, who hoisted two trophies at the AID Junior Tennis National Championships, ended with the older athlete earning the win in consecutive sets. She blanked Adderley in set one 6-0. In the following set, the junior player regained her footing but it wasn’t enough to stop Clarke who won 6-4 to close it out.

#Clarke, who attends the University of Alabama, enjoyed battling it out against a younger opponent.

#“It was really great. It’s always great to play against the younger players so I can see where I am at as well. Overall, it was a great match between both of us. My opponent played very well. I think she had a slow start but once she got into it and got used to the weather things started to get interesting. I felt it came down to who would be mentally tough to stick it out at the end,” she said.

#The multiple time national team member shared how it felt to once again have the opportunity to represent The Bahamas at the Billie Jean King Cup tournament.

#“It is always a great feeling, I am always excited to represent my country any chance I get. I feel honoured every single time and grateful because a lot of people are vying for the spot so I feel very blessed to have this opportunity once again,” she said.

#As for her finals matchup against the third seed, she is looking to come out aggressive, place more spin on the ball if the weather is windy and remain true to herself until the end result.

#Pratt got to work against the former national champion Elana Mackey, quashing her hopes of repeating at the end of year tournament. Mackey pushed her to the brink in set one but ultimately the third ranked athlete prevailed 7-5 to take it. She followed it up by a 6-3 win to make her second finals appearance since 2012.

#She talked about what it took to dethrone the reigning champion on Wednesday.

#“It was a little difficult to adjust because it was really windy so I had to move my feet a lot. It was up and down and I literally had to play ugly. I tried to be a little bit more aggressive, open up the court a little bit more and tried to go for my shots,” the finalist said.

#Ahead of today’s big match versus Clarke, Pratt is ready to go.

#“I am pleased and happy with the result hopefully tomorrow I can play a little bit better. My mindset is to take it one point at a time, try to relax and play my game,” she added.

#Due to the Island Luck food giveaway expected to bring traffic congestion near the NTC early this morning, matches will begin at 11:30am.

I-BAP collaborates with Electric City Bombers to host Christmas camp

As of Thursday, December 21, 2023

#By TENAJH SWEETING

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

#WITH 2023 now winding down, I-BAP (Bahamas Athletic Pride) in collaboration with New York’s Electric City Bombers intends to host a pop-up Christmas camp this Saturday at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex.

#The one-day event will be spearheaded by featured coach Brandon Barcomb, who leads a Top 10 United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA) programme.

#Dachye Stubbs, director of softball for the International Elite (I-Elite) Sports Academy, shared what led to this collaboration between the two organisations for this weekend.

#“Both organisations’ goals are similar. We want to give all athletes that we come across the opportunity to grow and develop no matter the skill level or social class. It so happens that the sports we coach can award the kids the opportunity to get free education.

#“Additionally, we understood the value of travel ball. Most kids here do not have the opportunity to travel abroad to play for long periods of time so we look forward to some of our girls having an additional level of exposure and playing in some more tournaments abroad,” Stubbs said.

#With the softball season scheduled to start in January, registered participants will have the opportunity to hone their skills ahead of next month’s competition.

#Athletes within the 8-16 age group will be afforded an opportunity to work with experienced softball coaches, work on agility, fielding and hitting drills, have the chance to experience international play opportunities and be exposed to recruiting resources. The I-Elite softball director and event organiser is expecting Barcomb to impart useful knowledge into those that opt to partake in the pre-Christmas event.

#“Coach Brandon coaches one of the Top 10 USSSA travel ball teams in the USA which means he has years of experience and a plethora of seeds to sow into players and coaches alike. He specialises in hitting and agility so kids can look forward to working on those elements of the game,” she said.

#She added that it is not too late for interested individuals to register for the pop up camp. Additionally, local primary and high school coaches are invited to attend. Registration can be completed online via www.bapsoftball.com or by contacting 1-242-445-4551.

#The cost of registration is $35. The event will run from 9:15am to 12:15pm this Saturday.

Finals set at tennis nationals

Clarke to battle Pratt and Newman, takes on Carey

  • Simba French
  • 4 hrs ago
  •  0
sydney clarke
Sydney Clarke comes up for a volley shot during her women’s semifinal match against Takaii Adderley at the 2023 Giorgio Baldacci Open National Tennis Championships, at the Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association’s (BLTA) National Tennis Centre on Wednesday. Clarke won in straight sets, 6-1 and 6-4, and will face Simone Pratt in the final.

The tennis day started with eight players in action for the remaining four spots at the 2023 Giorgio Baldacci Open National Tennis Championships at the Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association’s (BLTA) National Tennis Centre yesterday.

Securing the two spots in the men’s final on a windy day were veteran players Baker Newman and Rodney Carey Jr. Sydney Clarke and Simone Pratt won their semifinal matches on the ladies’ side. Newman and Carey booked the first two spots on the Davis Cup team while Clarke and Pratt booked their spots on the Billie Jean King Cup team.

“I came off a battle after having not played much this year. It was great to see the younger guys play. I think I was more ready to play than Major was today. There was a third opponent which was the wind, and I had to use it to my advantage,” Newman said.

He said he is happy to be back on the team after last playing in 2022, and also glad to be back in the national final.

Carey took down defending champion Denali Nottage in his semifinal match. The 31-year-old got a 6-3 first set victory but needed a tiebreaker to win the second set, taking it 7-6 (7-2).

“I knew it was going to be a good match,” Carey said. “I lost to him last year and I was expecting a tough match. The biggest difference was that last year, I wasn’t aware of how well he was playing so I underestimated him but this year I knew he was going to come tough. I was ready for him. I came prepared this year because I wanted to make sure I gave it my best shot to make the team.”

Carey said he is happy to make the team after not being on the team since 2015. He said he is looking forward to playing Newman in the final.

Clarke went up against teenager Takaii Adderley. Clarke got an easy 6-1 win in the first set but Adderley put up some resistance in the second set. It was not enough as Clarke won the second set 6-4 to take the match.

“It is great to go up against younger players and it was a great match. She played very well. She had a slow start but once she got into it, the match got interesting. I felt it came down to who was going to be mentally strong and tough enough to stick it out in the end,” said Clarke.

She said she is looking to stay true to herself in today’s final. The 22-year-old will be making her sixth appearance in the Billie Jean King Cup tournament. She said it is something she is blessed with.

As expected, Pratt had a tough time against defending champion Elana Mackey. In the first set, Pratt won 7-5 and then got a 6-3 victory in the second set to win the match.

“I had to move my feet a lot. It was up and down because of the weather and I had to play ugly. I tried to be more aggressive in the second set and open up the court so I could get my shots in,” she said.

Pratt said she is looking to play better in the final, taking it one point at a time. She said she is happy to be back on the Billie Jean King Cup team, especially as a higher seed.

CARIFTA Aquatics Championships launched in The Bahamas

  • Simba French
  • 4 hrs ago
  •  0
Sports-Swimming.jpeg
Shown are members of the Local Organizing Committee of the 30th CARIFTA Swimming Championships, along with government officials and Bahamas Aquatics Federation officials. The meet was officially launched at the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture’s Building on Wednesday. The event is scheduled for March 28 to April 7, 2024, at the Betty Kelly-Kenning National Swim Complex.

The much anticipated 30th CARIFTA Swimming Championships is now 99 days away, officially launched at the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture’s Building yesterday. The event is set for March 28 to April 7, 2024, at what will be a renovated Betty Kelly-Kenning National Swim Complex.

President of the Bahamas Aquatics Federation Algernon Cargill spoke about the opportunity for the athletes to be performing at home. This is the first time The Bahamas hosted the meet since 2017.

Cargill serves as the vice chairman of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC). He said the LOC has a goal to raise $1 million to put on the event.

“Winning our sixth title at home will not be easy and we will certainly need the support of all Bahamians, particularly corporate Bahamas, to support the marketing efforts of the Local Organizing Committee. Our goal is to raise $1 million and while this has never been done before by the federation, we believe that it is indeed possible. We ask corporate Bahamas and every Bahamian citizen to support Team Bahamas by contributing any amount to this fundraising goal,” Cargill said.

The Bahamas will take part in all three disciplines of the meet – swimming, open water swimming and water polo.

Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg spoke to the importance of the event, stating that it brings the top junior aquatic athletes in the region together to compete.

“This is a momentous occasion. It is a testament to our commitment to youth excellence, sportsmanship and the undeniable passion we have for sports. We are honored to open our doors to welcome the talented individuals to our shores. As we prepare to host this exhilarating competition, we do so with the intention of defending our title with pride, determination, and the undeniable spirit that characterizes The Bahamas. Our swimmers have showcased their prowess in the pool, and we are confident that, with the support of our community, we will continue to make a splash on the regional stage,” Bowleg said.

It is no secret that the national swim complex is currently under renovation. Bowleg assured that the venue will be ready for the championships and thanked their partners for their commitment.

“I want to extend my deepest gratitude to our partners who have played an integral role in making this event possible. The renovations at our stadium, which will serve as the epicenter of this meet, would not have been possible without their support. Their commitment to the success of this event mirrors our own dedication, and we are immensely grateful for their collaboration,” said the minister.

Swimming in his final CARIFTA Games is Grand Bahama native Marvin Johnson who swims in the boys 15-17 age group. It will be his first time swimming at CARIFTA at home. He encourages Bahamians to come out and support the team, stating that they will put on a show, going for a sixth straight title.

“For my last CARIFTA to be at home in The Bahamas, it means a lot to me, not only to represent The Bahamas but also to swim in front of family and friends who have never seen me do it before. I know swimming is not a popular sport and we do not get as much recognition that we deserve but being on the team for the past five consecutive championships, I can say that we are full of heart and we love to represent The Bahamas,” he said.

Elle TheBerge, who swims in the girls 15-17 age group, is looking to make the team for a third time.

“Being able to participate with my teammates and compete as a family means a lot. I am glad that we are having it here next year. It will be good to participate at home and swim in front of my family and friends,” TheBerge said.

The meet features the 11-12, 13-14 and 15-17 age groups. This edition has a twist to it, featuring an 18-and-over category for the 50-, 100- and 200-meter races in all of the strokes. Those who compete in that age bracket will be competing for medals and not points. It was introduced because the CARIFTA Championships will be a qualifier for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games and the World Swimming Championships.

The swimming discipline of the meet gets underway on Saturday March 30 and wraps up on Tuesday April 2. The open water swimming competition will be held on Wednesday April 3 at Goodman’s Bay. Water polo will close out the championships, from Thursday April 4 to Saturday April 6. There are 24 countries that have been invited to participate.

Silent Partner: a story of inspiration in sailing

sailing
Shown is the crew of Silent Partner, after sailing the sloop to the overall top prize in the ‘A’ Class of the Best of the Best Regatta at Montagu Bay.

This year was a momentous one for The Bahamas and for the sport of sailing.

In July, the country celebrated 50 years of independence, and in April, sailing was declared the country’s national sport. There are 18 senior regattas and 17 junior sailing events each year. Of the senior regattas, there is no more significant event than the Best of the Best Regatta, which brings sloop sailors from across The Bahamas together to compete in the national sport.

No regatta would be complete without the story of the underdog, and the Best of the Best for 2023 was no exception. This regatta was a spectacle of skill, strategy, and sheer adrenaline, with tough competition between Exuma and Long Island.

On the first day of sailing, the Silent Partner from Black Point, Exuma, captained by Leslie ‘Buzzy’ Rolle, was fourth. On every successive day, there was a rise in the order, leading the crew sailing Silent Partner to a surprising win in the ‘A’ Class category.

The story of this crew, however, did not make them the favorite to win.

In March 2023, a group of skilled sailors in Black Point pooled their resources to purchase a sloop called ‘Red Stripe’ from renowned skipper Lundy Richardson. Over the next few weeks, they worked on rebuilding the boat and bringing it up to the competition level.

The crew did not start sailing together on Silent Partner until April 2023 in the Georgetown Regatta, when they were still learning the boat. The next time they raced was not until August 2023 in the Black Point Regatta.

Between August and December, several crew members sailed other boats but were determined to sail the Silent Partner together. They practiced as a crew and put in countless hours of hard work because they were dedicated to the mission of not just bringing Silent Partner to compete in regattas but taking home titles.

In December, just eight months after their first competition as a crew and just four months after their second regatta, this group of passionate individuals emerged as unexpected victors, sailing their way to glory in the country’s biggest regatta.

In Black Point, the Silent Partner finished in second place. Since then, the crew has been determined to put Silent Partner on top of the podium and bring the ‘A’ Class trophy to Black Point. The passion, talent and dedication of these men is said to be truly amazing.

The Silent Partner crew represents something that is needed in society – hard work and dedication. These men are an inspiration, and the people of Black Point should be proud of this crew. They defied the odds, embraced challenges, and ultimately emerged triumphant in a sport where skill, speed, and sportsmanship separate the elite sailors from the rest of the pack.

The remarkable journey of this crew can be traced back to a love of Bahamian culture and sloop sailing – a shared love of many Bahamians – and the resilient spirit of the Bahamian people. With sailing now being the national sport, one can only hope that their story inspires junior and senior sailors alike to collaborate and work as a team to achieve their dreams and write their names in the history book of this esteemed sport.

‘Donnie’ gets Lifetime Achievement Award

A LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT: Donnie Martinborough was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the International Sunfish Class Association during the 2023 ISCA World Championships in Miami, Florida, last week.

A LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT: Donnie Martinborough was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the International Sunfish Class Association during the 2023 ISCA World Championships in Miami, Florida, last week.

As of Tuesday, December 19, 2023

#By TENAJH SWEETING

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

#Donald “Donnie’’ Martinborough, who serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Bahamas Realty, became the first Bahamian to be presented the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 52nd International Sunfish Class Association (ISCA) World Championship in Miami, Florida.

#Martinborough has not only experienced success in his professional endeavours but also in the national sport, winning three world championships in the Sunfish Class over the years. Although he was not as successful at last weekend’s World Championships, the avid sailor has gained full membership privileges due to his noteworthy contributions as recognised by the Sunfish World Council.

#“The Lifetime Achievement Award was for all my accomplishments in the Sunfish Class, which came as a huge surprise and was very humbling. This is an award voted on and presented by the Sunfish World Council mainly for my success in winning three world championships. Being the first Bahamian to achieve such an honour is truly exciting,” Martinborough said.

#The 12-time national champion earned the first of his trio of titles at the 14th Sunfish Worlds in San Andrés, Colombia, in 1983.

#The feat accomplished four decades ago made him just the second Bahamian since Pierre Siegenthaler at the time to attain this achievement at the sailing event.

#Two years later at the 16th Sunfish Worlds hosted in Riccione, Italy, Martinborough earned his second title. The final title, which might be the sweetest of them all, was secured on home soil at the 19th Sunfish Worlds in 1988. During this stretch, he also claimed 10 consecutive Bermuda International Invitational Race Week championships. The triple champion was not only the first Bahamian to receive the Lifetime Achievement honours but the last one to win gold at the Sunfish World Championships.

#Despite being introduced to sailing at the tender age of 15, Martinborough still feels the same excitement felt when he first stepped onto a boat with top Olympic sailor Percival “Percy” Knowles.

#“Sailing has been such a challenging and exciting sport for me from the first time I stepped into my first boat at the age of 15 with Mr Percy Knowles, who took the time to teach, mentor and mould me into the sailor that I am today. My appetite for winning at the highest level in the world is what drives me. It is a feeling I can never express in words but it is great knowing on any given day that I can be the world champion.

#“This is all the motivation that I need to keep me going, even at my age, in the sport that I have grown to love so very much,” he said.

#As for his recent stint at the 52nd ISCA World Championship hosted by the Coconut Grove Sailing Club, Martinborough was the top Bahamian finisher at the event. He concluded ranked 53rd out of 100 sailors. After competing in 12 events, the skipper finished with a cumulative total of 469.0. Unfortunately for the former world champion, he was disqualified from two races which affected his outcome.

#“The racing in Coconut Grove, Miami was tough. There were 100 plus boats and it was extremely windy. I learned a lot but did get thrown out of two races which really hurt me in the overall standings. But I hung in there and being the first Bahamian and a part of such a talented team of Bahamian sailors, namely Gavin Mckinney, Jimmy Lowe, Lori Lowe, George Damianos and Peter Vlasov, all whom gave their best and represented The Bahamas well, is really special,” he said.

#Lori Lowe, who became the first Bahamian woman to collect the Bahamas Sunfish Open National Championship, turned in the best performance for The Bahamas in the ladies’ category. She finished ranked 72nd overall at last weekend’s Sunfish Worlds.

#The event wrapped up on December 10 with Peru’s Jean Paul de Trazegnies taking home his second consecutive Sunfish World Championship.

NPVA Recap: Panthers on a roll to close out the year

As of Wednesday, December 20, 2023

#By TENAJH SWEETING

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

#THE Caribbean Gas Panthers closed out the year with an unblemished record in the New Providence Volleyball Association (NPVA) standings after defeating the Set-sy Poppers at the DW Davis Gymnasium last week Friday.

#The Panthers added yet another victory to their win column to improve to an 8-0 win/loss record in the first half of the 2023-24 season. Meanwhile, the Poppers will move into the new year sporting an 0-7 record to remain winless in the night league.

#The defending champions brought down the Poppers in four sets on Friday night. The Poppers showed some signs of life when they claimed the victory in set one 25-22.

#However, the Panthers rebounded nicely in the second set, dominating their opponents 25-14. In the following set, the end result remained unchanged for the former title holders with them reeling off a 25-12 win in set three.

#The final set (25-15) was no different as the Panthers nabbed three consecutives sets to seal their final win of 2023. On the season, the team has only dropped five sets in eight matches played.

#The Panthers totalled 97 points compared to 66 points earned by the Poppers.

#In game one of Friday’s double header, the Lady Spikers defeated the Lady Techs in comfortable fashion, taking three sets in a row. The former went basically uncontested as they dropped the Lady Techs 25-13, 25-20 and 25-13.The Lady Spikers ended the one hour and seven minute contest with 75 cumulative points compared to 46 turned in by the Lady Techs.

#The victors head into the new year with a 7-2 record. Their only losses were handed out by the Panthers this year. Meanwhile, the Lady Techs fell to 1-7 in the NPVA standings.

#The Panthers won the championship hardware for the women in 2019 and 2022.

#For the men’s division, the Tour Daddy Defenders, the NPVA defending champions, have a league’s best 6-2 record. The Warhawks are one game behind with 5-2. The Technicians hold the next spot at 3-5 and the National Fence Intruders are 2-7 in nine games played.

#The NPVA Night League games will resume in the new year following a hot start to the season.

NPVA Recap: Panthers on a roll to close out the year

As of Wednesday, December 20, 2023

#By TENAJH SWEETING

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

#THE Caribbean Gas Panthers closed out the year with an unblemished record in the New Providence Volleyball Association (NPVA) standings after defeating the Set-sy Poppers at the DW Davis Gymnasium last week Friday.

#The Panthers added yet another victory to their win column to improve to an 8-0 win/loss record in the first half of the 2023-24 season. Meanwhile, the Poppers will move into the new year sporting an 0-7 record to remain winless in the night league.

#The defending champions brought down the Poppers in four sets on Friday night. The Poppers showed some signs of life when they claimed the victory in set one 25-22.

#However, the Panthers rebounded nicely in the second set, dominating their opponents 25-14. In the following set, the end result remained unchanged for the former title holders with them reeling off a 25-12 win in set three.

#The final set (25-15) was no different as the Panthers nabbed three consecutives sets to seal their final win of 2023. On the season, the team has only dropped five sets in eight matches played.

#The Panthers totalled 97 points compared to 66 points earned by the Poppers.

#In game one of Friday’s double header, the Lady Spikers defeated the Lady Techs in comfortable fashion, taking three sets in a row. The former went basically uncontested as they dropped the Lady Techs 25-13, 25-20 and 25-13.The Lady Spikers ended the one hour and seven minute contest with 75 cumulative points compared to 46 turned in by the Lady Techs.

#The victors head into the new year with a 7-2 record. Their only losses were handed out by the Panthers this year. Meanwhile, the Lady Techs fell to 1-7 in the NPVA standings.

#The Panthers won the championship hardware for the women in 2019 and 2022.

#For the men’s division, the Tour Daddy Defenders, the NPVA defending champions, have a league’s best 6-2 record. The Warhawks are one game behind with 5-2. The Technicians hold the next spot at 3-5 and the National Fence Intruders are 2-7 in nine games played.

#The NPVA Night League games will resume in the new year following a hot start to the season.