Oxley inspires Barbados to fourth straight crown  

RIVIERE-SALEE, Martinique, December 13, 2019 - Akeel Oxley led a trio of players in double-figure scoring as Barbados captured a record fourth straight title in the Caribbean Zonal Volleyball Association (CAZOVA) Junior (Under-21) Men Championship with a straight-sets defeat of Curacao at the La Ville Riviere-Salee Palais Des Sport.

Champions of the inaugural tournament back in 1997, Barbados has followed with titles in 2005, 2013, 2015, 2017/18 and supported by their Under-20 women’s team who a few hours earlier captured their maiden title, Oxley and his team-mates won the 12th edition via their 25-14, 25-16, 25-20 triumph which came in one hour and ten minutes.

Oxley ended with 18 points, highlighted by 17 spikes while Alexander Odie added 12 and Nathan Crawford-Wallis, ten in the win.

Raje Alleyne also provided valuable support with nine points for the winners who outscored their rivals, 36-21 on spikes, 12-2 on blocks and 3-2 on service aces, but committed one error more, 25 to 24.

For Curacao, who was in the match up until semifinal hero Nigel Albert suffered a reoccurrence of his left knee injury at 15-23 down in the second-set, captain Joshua Van Henneigen was the lone player in double-digits with 12 points. 

Coach John Stuart said he was very happy about the victory especially seeing Barbados was able to sweep the titles, becoming the first country to do so.

He added, “I am really glad for the girls though because this is their fourth final and they finally won tonight.

With the win, Stuart said he was now looking forward to the NORCECA Continental Championships while at the CAZOVA level he was happy to be getting a good core of players coming through at the national level.

Oxley said, “Watching the girls provided the perfect motivation for us to go and complete the job, and it’s a great feeling for us.”