PLEASANTVILLE, San Fernando, Trinidad, July 7, 2022 – Martinique made a stunning debut at the 2021 Caribbean Zonal Volleyball Association (CAZOVA) Youth Girls (Under-19) Championship with a polished 3-0 (25-22, 25-12, 25-22) win over defending champion Suriname in the competition’s curtain-raiser at the Southern Regional Indoor Sports Arena (SRISA).
Three years ago, when the competition was last held in Jamaica, Suriname dethroned Barbados in the final, but today apart from going point-for-point in the early exchanges of all three sets, and holding 15-10 and 20-16 leads in the third set, Suriname could not cope with the well balanced display from the Wilham Lebel-coached Martiniquans who proved a class above the title-holders.
Speaking after the loss, Suriname coach Claudius Straal admitted his team did not play their best.
.He said, “We didn’t play well most of the match, and we surely have to improve for the next game because we trained and prepared hard to get to the final.
Team captain, Chontelle Lisse echoed the views of her coach saying “We didn’t do our best and I don’t think we give our all, but we will work on our mistakes for the next game. Our energy level was not consistent enough to match Martinique who played a good match, so I know we can play better.”
An elated Lebel said, “I think we played with a good energy.. We served well and our players were very positive and aggressive in the blocks. Our concentration level was very good for most of the match and this was key to us getting the result we got.”
Captain Marie Marajo-Breton added, “It was very good for us to get a win and against a team like Suriname as well. We are all happy and we are hoping we can win the next match.”
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