TT women v-ballers gear up for ‘semis’

BRIDGETOWN: Trinidad and Tobago’s women play their final round-robin preliminary phase match at the 10th Caribbean Volleyball Championships, already aware that they have virtually booked their berth in today’s semi-finals against defending champs Barbados. The TT lasses have six points from their four matches and they can only be eclipsed by minnows Martinique who have five points.  For that to occur however, Trinidad and Tobago would have to lose yesterday’s match in straight sets to Bahamas and Martinique would also have to gain a similar straight-set verdict against Barbados in the other match.

Both are highly unlikely scenarios since Bahamas are yet to win a match for the tournament and Martinique have only won one of their three matches.  Barbados are unbeaten and have surrendered just one set in their preliminary round campaign. On current form however, Trinidad and Tobago will be favoured to beat Bahamas while Barbados should finish unbeaten.  If this occurs, Trinidad will finish on eight points along with Guadeloupe and Jamaica who have finished their quota of matches. Based on sets win-loss ratio, Trinidad will book fourth place in the standings, thus setting up their clash with Barbados.

The Ali Macsood-coached unit has been inconsistent so far in the tournament but will need to shelve this unneeded quality to ensure themselves a victory against a Bahamian team who showed signs of improvement in their last match against champions Barbados. A win against Bahamas would be a good confidence booster ahead of their all-important match against Barbados and would give the team much needed momentum. (CMC)