Williams, Stewart clinch Beach Volleyball title

NICKOLAI MADRAY

Daniel Williams and Daynte Stewart walked away with the top prize in the Men’s Open category as the Flow Beach Volleyball League served off on the weekend at Saith Park in Chaguanas. Abby Blackman and Rheeza Grant took the first place prize in the Women’s Open division.

The Over 35 Men’s competition saw Nolan Tash and Gideon Dickson claim the trophy.

Speaking to Newsday at the event, Trinidad and Tobago’s Beach Volleyball Technical Director, Nancy Joseph said, “Every year we try to have a national event, and this weekend was incredible despite today’s (Sunday) weather. Credit goes out to the athletes who played through the rain and the mud as they were determined to compete for the various titles and trophies.” Joseph was also pleased with the turnout from the public over the two days of competition.

The Male tournament started off with two pools, A and B, which consisted of six teams each. Williams and Stewart cruised through the group stages, winning all their matches in the preliminary round. In the quarter-finals, they got past Kevin Rivers and Jason Dennis 21-17, 21-16 and progressed to the semis. Kareem Thomas and Kurt Edwards then faced the champions-to-be, and came up short 21-16, 21-18. Williams and Stewart were tested in the final vs Nolan Tash Abraham and Brandon Legall, losing the first set 21-23, but they responded by taking the next two 21-14 and 15-10.

The Women’s competition saw a round robin style phase with the top four progressing to the semi-finals. Champions Abby Blackman and her partner, Rheeza Grant, lost one match in the round robin stage to eventual finalists Phylicia Armstrong and Malika Davidson, 21-18, 21-14.

Armstrong and Davidson also lost one match on their way to the final which made room for an intense showdown. However, with revenge on their mind, Blackman and Grant emerged triumphant 21-17, 21-18.