The Tribune

AS game two of the New Providence Volleyball Association (NPVA) championships got underway last night, things really got heated over at the D W Davis gym as teams rebounded to extend the series for at least another game. In the women's match, the Johnson's Lady Truckers would once again get off to a rocky but good start and won the first two sets 28-26 and 25-15. But the Vixens would continue to battle in their attempt to lead the series 2-0. After remembering what happened in the first game, the Lady Truckers took no chance and finished the set 25-16. The Lady Truckers, behind a powerful Melinda Bastian's 15 points, tied the series 1-1. Tia Charlow finished with nine and Kelsie Johnson scored seven points. In a losing effort, Camilla Miller and Cheryse Rolle completed the evening with eight and seven points respectively. In the men's match, after leading every set in the first game to be run down and lose the entire game 3-1, the Technicians did their home work, made the adjustments and ensured that they maintained their lead and closed out each set. With big blocks and hard spikes, they were not prepared to lose last night and beat the Defenders in straight sets 25-13, 25-20 and 25-22. Renaldo Knowles came up big again for the Technicians with 14 points followed by Byron Ferguson with 12 points. In a losing effort, Shederick Forbes scored 10 points for the Defenders. Game three is slated to be played Friday at the DW Davis gym, where two teams will move even closer to being crowned champions. With both defending champions - the Scottsdale Vixens and Scotia Defenders - taking game one of the series on Sunday, the NPVA championships continues at DW Davis gym on Wednesday. In the first match of the women's series, the Johnson's Lady Truckers appeared to be on a mission and got off to a good start, winning the first two sets 25-16, 25-21. However, the defending championships Scottsdale Vixens were not prepared to lose in straight sets or even the game and regrouped to win the next three sets 25-19, 25-12 and 15-13. Cheryse Rolle led the Vixens with 19 points for the win with sister Krystel Rolle securing 12 points. In a losing effort, Melinda Bastian was strong for 17 points and both Tia Charlow and Kelsie Johnson finished with 11 points. In the first men's game, the Scotiabank Defenders would jump out on the Technicians, winning the first two sets 25-21 and 25-22. The Technicians, not wanting to go home early, would win the fourth set 25-19. However, after watching the women's match, the Defenders would come from behind in the fourth set to win 25-14 after a big performance from Enderick Rahming and Lahaundro Thompson. The Scotia Defenders were led by Shederick Forbes who scored a game and side high 19 points with assistance from Shonari Hepburn. He added nine points and three blocks. In the loss, Renaldo Knowles finished with 17 points.