Sounds of bouncing balls, squeaking sneakers, game-official whistles and screams of in and out filled the Mark C. Marin Center at Antilles School as the 2024 Michael Richardson Sr. Winter Volleyball Power League came to an exciting end on Sunday.
The final day started with play-in games in the Advance Male and Advance Women Divisions. Island Mixx 18U Boys team defeated Island Mixx 16U Boys by the score of (25-14; 25-23). In the women’s division, Dig This just got by a young and talented Island Mixx 14U Elite team (25-22; 25-22). The wins secured the fourth and final spot for both teams in their respective divisional playoff tournament.
The men’s semi-final matches saw the Strikers suck the venom out of the Vipers, beating them (25-22; 25-12). Top-seeded Beach Boys had a tough time in their semi-final encounter with Island Mixx 18U Boys, escaping with a (25-12; 21-25; 15-12) victory.
The women’s semi-final matches were both very competitive. It was a battle of Island Mixx teams in the first game as Island Mixx 18U Elite defeated Island Mixx 16U Elite (25-22; 27-25). Undefeated I’d Hit That took on Dig This in the other semi-final game. I’d Hit That continued their winning ways with a (25-18; 29-27) victory.
The teams in both advanced divisions then took a break before their championship showdowns and the future of volleyball had their time to shine. Players in the Beginners Program took center court as these 9-12-year-olds displayed their talents in an exhibition match. On the court 2, Island Mixx 16U travel team defeated Island Mixx 18U Local (26-24; 25-14) to capture the Junior Division crown. 16U Travel Nadjah Jn Phillip was the MVP of the Junior Division.
| JUNIOR DIVISION FINAL STANDINGS | |||
| TEAMS | WINS | LOSSES | |
| 1 | ISLAND MIXX 16U TRAVEL | 8 | 2 |
| 2 | ISLAND MIXX 18U LOCAL | 7 | 3 |
| 3 | ISLAND MIXX 14U TRAVEL | 4 | 6 |
| 4 | ISLAND MIXX 14U LOCAL | 1 | 9 |
The final two matches of the day featured I’d Hit That versus Island Mixx 18U Elite in the Advance Women Division and Beach Boys versus Strikers in the Advance Male category. The experience of the older I’d Hit That team proved to be too much for the younger 18U Elite team in their (25-12; 25-21) victory. I’d Hit That finished the league with an unblemished record, successfully defending their championship from last year. Brittany Thompson’s consistent passing and timely hitting earned her the League MVP Award. Thompson is a member of I’d Hit That.
| ADVANCE WOMEN DIVISION – FINAL STANDINGS | |||
| TEAMS | WINS | LOSSES | |
| 1 | I’D HIT THAT | 12 | 0 |
| 2 | ISLAND MIXX 18U ELITE | 7 | 5 |
| 3 | DIG THIS | 6 | 6 |
| 4 | ISLAND MIXX 16U ELITE | 5 | 6 |
| 5 | ISLAN MIXX 14U ELITE | 0 | 11 |
The final match of the evening was arguably the best match of the day. The Men’s Championship Game between Beach Boys and Strikers was filled with explosive hits, shutdown blocks, and courageous digs. The Beach Boys won this entertaining battle (25-19; 23-25; 15-13). Beach Boys, Spencer Parr was the Men’s League MVP.
| ADVANCE MEN DIVISION – FINAL STANDINGS | |||
| TEAMS | WINS | LOSSES | |
| 1 | BEACH BOYS | 8 | 2 |
| 2 | STRIKERS | 6 | 4 |
| 3 | ISLAND MIXX 18U BOYS | 5 | 5 |
| 4 | VIPERS | 4 | 5 |
| 5 | ISLAND MIXX 16U BOYS | 1 | 8 |
