Keisha Hill, Staff Reporter

Newcomers Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) clinched the men's and mixed team titles in the Reggae Jammin Business House Volleyball competition at the University of the West Indies Bowl yesterday.

The marching men of the army, who had earlier withdrawn from the competition, defeated the Bank of Jamaica (BoJ) 2-0 in two sets 21-12, 21-19 in the men's finals. After a 21-11 win in the first set and 21-12 in the second, the JDF were also 2-0 winners over Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts in the mixed team finals.

Overall, the JDF topped the mixed league on 12 points ahead of BoJ (10), Edna Manley (8), NWC (6) and JUTC (4). In the men's division, JDF led the pack by 15 points, with Edna Manley (13) in second place and BoJ (11). JUTC (9), AMECO (7) and NWC (5) complete the scoring line-up.

Commitment

Coach of JDF, Garnett Williams, said the team committed themselves to working overtime so that they could play in the competition.

"It is their commitment that had them performing so well in the competition," Williams said.

"We trained every evening when most of the team members were available. The fact that it is our first time and with our level of expertise we came into the competition with the understanding that we would win," Williams said.

President of the Jamaica Volley-ball Association (JAVA), Wayne Robertson, following the official presentation ceremony, stated that despite the success of the tournament, it was imperative that other teams become involved in the competition.

"We not only focus on the schools, colleges and clubs but also the workplace. We cannot exclude the workplace because that is how we are going to increase the talent pool that we have within Jamaica. We will look at this year's performance and assess how to improve the competition next year," said Robertson.