The sounds of sneakers squeaking, balls bouncing, and fans cheering filled the Digna Wheatley Gymnasium on Ivanna Eudora Kean High School at the 4th Labor Day Volleyball Tournament organized by 340365 Athletics and T.A.W. Sports Enterprise.
Seven women teams and four men teams played in sauna-like conditions as the ac units at the facility were not working. Despite the unwelcoming conditions, visiting teams took first place in both the female and male divisions.
In the first semi-final match in the women’s bracket, Kiss My Pass defeated St. Croix’s Cross Fyah (25-18; 26-24). In the second semi-final match, St. Croix Sacale schooled a young Island Mixx Black team (25-16; 25-14). Kiss My Pass was filled with experienced players from St. Thomas, while Sacale featured a mixture of youth and seasoned players out of St. Croix. Sacale took care of Kiss My Pass in straight sets (25-19; 25-21; 25-19).
Sacale’s Rosalin Angeles was the women’s tournament Most Valuable Player.
On the men’s side, One Hit Wonders, from Orlando, Florida, had a tough time with Top Mixx in the first semi-final match. The stateside team prevailed (25-20; 26-24). One Hit Wonders erased a large deficit to claim a two-point victory in the second set. In the second semi-final match, St. Croix’s Action defeated New Problems (18-25; 25-20; 15-11). In the men’s championship game, One Hit Wonders took the title with a (25-13; 25-22; 32-30) straight-set win.
Michael Rutledge was named Most Valuable Player of the men’s division.
