The University of the West Indies (UWI) thrashed the University of Technology (UTech) in both the male and female intercollegiate volleyball finals to grab both Intercolliegate Volleyball Championship titles. In two scintillating encounters, the UWI Pelicans faced off against the UTech Knights at UTech on Wednesday April 16.

The female Pelicans were defending their title against a formidable Knights contingent that crushed GC Foster 3 sets to 0 in the semi-finals. The Pelicans also showed their intent for the finals as they walked by Mico University 3-0 in their semi-finals. In a battle of the Titans, UWI had revenge high on their agenda having been beaten by UTech in their two previous encounters this season. It was a very determined UWI team, as was evident from the first whistle. UWI battled to a hard fought five-point win in the first set through inspirational players such as Vanessa Jones and Solene Walker. The second set was even closer as Utech hit the ground running through some strong attacks from Kimberley Walker and Janique Hendricks orchestrated by setter, Shanelle Dawkins. UWI eventually fought back to grab the second set as Sadieka Romans-Smith and Sheniele Grant gave some decent plays on the other side of the court. UTech looked a shadow of their former self in the third set, as the Pelicans quickly wrapped up the occasion. The Pelicans were rampant as they won in three straight sets (25-20, 25-21, 25-9) to retain their Intercollegiate title led by coach, O’neil Ebanks.

A playwright could not have written a better script for the male encounter. The UWI team looked impressive all season as they were virtually unbeatable in open play. UTech were the defending champions, having beaten the Pelicans in last year’s finals to solidify their dominance in intercollegiate volleyball. A fired-up UWI team easily got by UTech in the first set as UWI attackers, Jovanny Clarke and Jermaine Ricketts seemed unstoppable. The usually powerful attacking prowess of the Knights was extinguished by the sound defensive work of libero, Oshane Grant and blocker, Shadane Williams. In the second set, the Knights came out flying as Captain, Shane Hamilton and middle, Timarley Tulloch, found a route past the Pelicans defence.

The game was momentarily interrupted by unruly behaviour from supporters complaining about bad refereeing decisions. UWI, fuelled by strong support, pushed back to win the second set 25-17 over an obviously frustrated UTech. In the third set, UTech’s Dushane Forbes offered some resistance but UWI was virtually unstoppable as setter, Garry Greenslade and captain, Adrian Wallace, came to the party to bring the Pelicans home. The final point put the UWI team and their supporters into frenzy as they celebrated the coveted intercollegiate title. The score read 25-14, 25-17, 25-21 (3-0), evidence of their dominance all season long to end drought for the UWI male team.

In the male third place play-off, Northern Caribbean University topped GC Foster to 3-1 to grab third spot. GC Foster however proved victorious over Mico University in the female third place match-up. The UWI Pelicans were also the beach volleyball champions in the male division while Portmore Community College won for the females.