Saturday night brought another memorable chapter in the ABAVA Business League 2026, with two matches that refused to be settled in straight sets. At the YMCA Sports Complex, Nate Burton Photography and Eastern Caribbean Amalgamated Bank (ECAB) both overcame first-set defeats to secure hard-fought 2–1 victories over the University of the West Indies Five Islands (UWI) and Sandals, respectively. Across six sets, the evening offered plenty of tension, shifting momentum and a reminder that an early lead is no guarantee of victory in this competition. For the teams that fell behind, the challenge was clear: respond or leave empty-handed.
Nate Burton Photography Turns the Tables on UWI
UWI opened the evening looking determined to put its stamp on the contest. The university side edged a competitive first set 25–22, placing Nate Burton Photography on the back foot and leaving the photographers with work to do. But the match was far from finished.
Nate Burton Photography answered in the second set, turning the pressure back on UWI and taking it 25–21. That response changed the complexion of the encounter. What had started as a promising night for UWI was suddenly a one-set shootout, with neither team able to rely on its earlier work.
In the deciding set, Nate Burton Photography completed the turnaround with a 15–9 victory. After losing the opener by just three points, the team had found a way back and finished with a six-point margin in the third. The result capped an impressive recovery and added another win to Nate’s Business League campaign, while UWI was left to reflect on an opportunity that slipped away after a strong start.
Result: Nate Burton Photography defeated UWI 2–1 (22–25, 25–21, 15–9).
ECAB Recovers to Deny Sandals
The evening’s second fixture delivered another turnaround, this time with Sandals making an early run against ECAB. Sandals claimed the opening set 25–21, putting the bankers in the unfamiliar position of having to chase the match rather than protect a lead.
ECAB responded in the second set with a 25–20 victory, bringing the teams level and setting up the night’s second decider. The five-point margin showed that ECAB had found a response when it mattered, but the result was still there for either side to claim.
With the match reduced to a final set, ECAB maintained its advantage and finished 15–10 to seal the 2–1 win. Sandals had started brightly and had the chance to build on its opening-set success, but ECAB’s ability to recover and see out the contest proved decisive. The comeback brought a fitting end to a Saturday session in which both winning teams had to earn their results the hard way.
Result: ECAB defeated Sandals 2–1 (21–25, 25–20, 15–10).
League Action Returns Wednesday
The two results underlined the increasingly competitive nature of the ABAVA Business League, where teams representing local businesses and institutions are finding that every set matters. Saturday’s matches also provided a strong advertisement for the best-of-three format: even after losing the first set, both eventual winners had enough time to regroup and turn their evenings around.
League action resumes on Wednesday, October 21, at the YMCA Sports Complex, with more matchups and opportunities for teams to make their mark. Volleyball supporters, colleagues, friends and families are encouraged to come out and support the participating teams. Admission is EC$5, and food and drinks will be on sale. For match updates and highlights, follow the Antigua and Barbuda Volleyball Association on Facebook and @antiguavolleyball on Instagram.
This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Nate Burton Photography and ECAB Fight Back to Claim Thrilling Business League Victories.