Cropper leads Associates Combined to volleyball title

Jamaar Cropper led the Associates Combined team to victory over the Division of Arts, Sciences and General Studies (DASGS) Team One, three sets to one in the finals of the 2023 Community College Volley Ball tournament on Friday, March 17.

Associates Combined snatched a tense first set 26-24, after having their backs against the wall.

The eminent fight back was not too far off, as the defending champions DASGS Team One, through the heroics of their team’s MVP Marquis Pereira, and most improved player Nicholai Williams, won the second set 25-23.

However, it was all Associates Combined thereafter who regained the lead by winning the third set 25-22, and then roared home to victory with a 25- 22 fourth set win and the championship title.

The stage was set for an afternoon of exciting volleyball when a thrilling five-setter determined the third place play-off which saw DASGS Team Two coming good at the right time to defeat the Division of Teacher Education (DTE) three sets to two.

The game’s momentum shifted quickly with DTE taking the first set 26-24, but DASGS Team Two fought back to equalize the match with a 25-15 second set win. DTE nosed ahead again winning the third set 25-14, before it was all squared once more at two sets apiece when the DASGS Team Two prevailed in the fourth set 25-18.

The deciding set was similarly close and absorbing all the way until the DASGS Team Two stole the match with a 19-17 fifth set victory.

At the awards ceremony which followed-The MVP of DASGS Team Two was Osborne Williams; MVP of the Division of Teacher Education was Kadir Nedd; MVP of DASGS Team One was Marquis Pereira and the MVP of Associates Combined was Jamaar Cropper.

The Most Improved Player awards went to Jahva Audain of Associates Combined, and Nicholai Williams of DASGS Team One.

The MVP of the finals was Jamaar Cropper of Associates Combined.

The Best Defensive player was Clemson Fergus of DTE and the Best Offensive player was Jamaar Cropper of Associates Combined.

Jamaar Cropper of Associates Combined copped the award for MVP of the tournament.