Tash, Morrison in Pan-Am beach v-ball action

National senior vice-captain Nolan Tash and junior captain Sean Morrison will be involved in beach volleyball action today at the 14th Pan-American Games being staged in the Dominican Republic.

Tash and his brother Gideon Dixon of South East Port of Spain (SEPOS) won the local beach volleyball title last year and they represented Trinidad and Tobago at the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games. But they did not make it to the semi-finals where the losing team earns bronze medals. However, Tash who is well known for his power smashes will have the versatile Morrison of Glamorgan Club to partner him in their quest to put TT on the beach volleyball map in the Western Hemisphere’s biggest multi-disciplined sporting extravaganza. Surprisingly, national setter Saleem Ali and Kevin Edwards also of Glamorgan who were runners-up by one-hundredth of a point were not considered for selection. Ali was the top setter while Edwards won the “Best Digger” at the Caribbean Zonal Volleyball Association (CAZOVA) senior championship held locally during the month of July last year.

Ali, Edwards and Morrison are members of national club champions Glamorgan that is coached by successful regional coach Macsood Ali. Morrison, who is a deadly spiker and also an effective blocker, is like his senior partner Tash. Both possess powerful overhead services which can work to their advantage once they get it right. Their services, fitness and overall ability to withstand pressure will be the key for success at this high level competition. Competitors from the United States and Brazil are among the most experienced and seasoned campaigners on the sandy courts, who have attracted massive crowds at major events. They will be highly favoured to battle it out in gold medal match.  TT will be represented by a 90-member squad in ten sporting discipline. And many hopes will be pinned on the nation’s athletes and swimmers to really make their mark and astride the medal podium. The Games end on August 17.