Barbados’ kings and queens of Caribbean volleyball will be looking to storm into the finals of the 10^th Caribbean volleyball championships when the action moves into the penultimate day.

Last night Barbados’ women thumped Martinique, 25-10, 25-15, 25-21, to end with a 5-0 record to square off against the fourth placed Guadeloupe. Barbados had defeated Guadeloupe in straight sets in the preliminaries.  

The other women’s semifinals will have Jamaica clashing with the 1996 champions, Trinidad & Tobago.  Jamaica had shocked T&T in straight sets in the preliminaries.  T&T earned the number three spot with a win over the Bahamas, 25-12, 25-12, 25-18.

Both Martinique and the Bahamas were eliminated from the women’s competition after they placed fifth and sixth respectively.

Barbados’ men will meet Martinique with a ninth successive Caribbean finals beckoning.  Martinique gained their semifinals by dismissing St. Lucia, 25-16, 25-20, 25-22.   Jamaica won the other quarterfinals match up with the Bahamas, 25-22, 25-22, 23-25, 25-21, to book date with T&T men.

Barbados’ women advanced to the final four with a 5-0 record after dropping Martinique, 25-10, 25-15, 25-21, in a mere 58 minutes

With Martinique looking feeble in attack and in defense, Barbados’ coach Paul Payne enjoyed the luxury of rotating all his players.  Regular setter Shennell Beckles was forced to sit out with a chest injury and reserve setter Renee Clarke along with the tall Anicia Wood were the only two players who started in the three sets.

Clarke set consistently and blocked well while Wood led her team with seven kills, the same as Avara Brown who started in sets two and three.  Once again the veteran Angelina Smith, who is expected to retire after these games, is proving to be the best in digs and reception.