Brandons Beach, Barbados - November 9th, 2009
Two new champions were crowned over the weekend of November 7th - 8th, when the Sizzlin Sand Caribbean SUNSPLASH Series came to an exciting climax on Brandons Beach with the staging of the 6th annual Barbados SUNSPLASH.
19 male and female teams representing Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, St. Vincent, Antigua, St. Maarten, St. Kitts and Nevis along with host country Barbados took part in the event.
By the time the sand had settled Nancy Joseph and team mate Elki Philip of Trinidad and Tobago had secured their second ever Sizzlin Sand title and first ever Barbados SUNSPLASH title.
They defeated first time entrants and fellow Trinidadians Nadiege Honore / Ayana Dyette in straight sets 21-16, 21-19 to take the $ 1,200 USD first prize. Teams from Trinidad and Tobago completed a clean sweep of the top three places in the ladies division with the pair of Andrea Davis / Kelly-Anne Billingy defeating the Barbadian pair of Sharon Bovell / Mona Crawford 21-15, 21-12 to claim third prize.
Also in winner’s row were the Jamaican pair of Mark Lewis and team mate Dany Wilson. Lewis / Wilson. They faced the 2008 defending champions Elwyn Oxley / Gregory Gill of Barbados in a thrilling three set replay of the 2008 finals.
Lewisl / Wilson got sweet revenge for an earlier pool play loss to Oxley / Gill as well as the defeat they suffered in last season’s final to win the finals 21-15, 17-21, 15-6 and claim the title. Barbadians Winston Gittens / Omar Sealy defeated Nolan Tash / Giddeon Dickson of Trinidad and Tobago 21-19, 20-22, 15-8 to claim third prize.
During the presentation ceremony held immediately after the finals Elwyn Oxley / Gregory Gill along with Sharon Bovell / Mona Crawford were crowned Liat Kings and Queens of the beach respectively. This award was presented to the male and female teams that amassed the most points for the Caribbean SUNSPLASH Series.
With the formalities completed and out of the way players and fans alike then celebrated in style with the after tournament beach party. Live entertainment included top local calypsonians Blood, Mikey, Gorg, Salt and King Sheppard along with top local Dj’s Alvin Toppin, Dj Twister, Dj Richie Sly, Black Rhyno Sounds, Bubbles and Stan and Dj Chilly.
Local R&B Band Nexcyx capped off a fantastic weekend of beach volleyball and entertainment with an exhilarating performance featuring covers of top 40 hip hop, R&B, reggae and alternative tunes along with their own originals to the delight of the hundreds of fans on the beach.
Castaways Beach, Jolly Harbour Antigua - October 5th, 2009
After two days of intense beach volleyball the first titles of the 2009 Sizzlin Sand Caribbean SUNSPLASH Series were decided at Jolly Harbour Beach in Antigua over the weekend of October 3-4.
The Barbadian pairs of Elwyn Oxley / Gregory Gill in the men’s division and Mona Crawford / Sharon Bovell in the ladies division tasted sweet victory as they won their respective divisions during the 6th annual Sizzlin Sand Antigua SUNSPLASH.
In the men’s division Oxley / Gill defeated Trinidadians Nolan Tash / Gideon Dickson in an entertaining men’s final 21-17, 21-13 in front of an appreciate audience. So dominant were the pair of Oxley and Gill for this tournament that they won every game played without dropping a single set en route to winning the $1,200 USD first prize.
Tash / Dickson collected $ 800 USD for their second place finish while the improving Antiguan pair of Collin Thomas / Xavier Roberts defeated Barbadians Winston Gittens / Terry Mason 21-15, 21-18 to finish 3rd and earn $ 300 USD
The combined pair of Trinidadian Pauline Woodroofe and Antiguan Nyota Peters had no answer for Crawford / Bovell who won in straight sets 21-15, 21-15 to collect their first prize cheque of $1,200 USD. It was a case of sweet revenge for Crawford / Bovell who were defeated by Woodroffe / Peters earlier in the preliminaries 17-21, 21-19, 15-9.
The St. Kitts Nevis /Antiguan combination of Shanicia Dyer / Sharon Payne dominated the Antiguan pair of Nadege Augustin / Teera Charles in straight sets 21-15, 21-8 to claim 3rd place and $ 300 USD.
The action next heads to Brandons beach for the final event of the series the Barbados SUNSPLASH November 7-8 at Brandons beach.
Bridgetown Barbados - February 28th, 2009
Sizzlin Sand Beach Volleyball took center stage at the artificial beach created inside the Party Stand during the fourth cricket test match between England and the West Indies at the historic Kensington Oval Barbados.
Sizzlin Sand Beach Volleyball in partnership with Power X 4 offered visiting cricket fans from England as well as local fans the opportunity to experience the Caribbean's premiere beach volleyball event with exhibition games by top local players. Cricket fans also had the opportunity to join in the fun and have a game themselves as well as participating in skills contests for prizes.
The action resumes inside the Party Stand at Kensington Oval Barbados March 27 and 29 for the two One Day Internationals between England and the West Indies. So if you are planning to be at Kesington Oval for cricket the place to be is inside the Party Stand where all the action and Sizzlin Sand Beach Volleyball will be.
