ST. JOHN’S, Antigua – November 13, 2025 – In a thrilling matchup at the YMCA in Antigua, the local team secured a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Saint Lucia in the U23 Men’s Championship. The final score was 22-25, 16-25, 27-25, 25-21 and 15-12, showcasing Antigua’s resilience and determination.
After falling behind two sets, Antigua mounted a remarkable comeback in the third set, leveraging improved defensive strategies and more effective offensive execution. The team outperformed Saint Lucia in attack points, scoring 57 compared to their opponents’ 41. However, Saint Lucia dominated at the net, recording 14 blocks to Antigua’s 5. Additionally, Antigua displayed sharper focus with fewer unforced errors, committing 37 against Saint Lucia’s 48.
Leading the charge for Antigua was outside hitter Amali Mannix, who delivered an impressive 21 points, supported by middle blocker Kemarni Joseph, who contributed 13 points. On the opposing side, team captain Daniel Meyers-James led Saint Lucia with 24 points, while middle blocker Peter Emmanuel added 12.
Antigua’s captain, Kemarni Joseph, commented on the match: “As we all saw, this was a tough game. We started rough, making mistakes, but we adjusted our strategy and returned to the court stronger. We acknowledge the possibility of meeting them again in the finals or playoffs, so we cannot underestimate them. Tonight’s victory does not mean we relax; we must maintain the same intensity and perhaps even improve. Our approach was to play simple volleyball, and when we stick to our strengths, our players excel.”
Saint Lucia’s Levi Leonce, head coach acknowledged the challenge posed by Antigua: “A loss is always unfortunate, but Antigua came to fight today. We struggled with service errors and execution breakdowns. However, each match offers valuable lessons, and we will make the necessary adjustments to come back stronger tomorrow.”
The next match in the championship is anticipated with great excitement, as both teams seek to refine their performance and pursue the title.
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