Tag: 2023 ECVA U23 Men

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, October 15, 2023.- Jammar Cropper from St. Vincent and the Grenadines was named the MVP of the second edition of the Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) Male U23 Championship, that took place at the Multi-Purpose Sports Center, in Road Town, Tortola, from October 11-15.

MVP Jamaar Cropper received the recognition after St. Vincent and the Grenadines won the ECVA U23 Male title in a five-set thriller over St. Kitts and Nevis. Cropper was also the Best Attacker and Best Scorer of the event.

Here’s the full list of Awardees:

Best Server from St. Kitts and Nevis – Elkreen Morton

Best Receiver from St. Maarten Rajheem Meulens

Best Setter from Dominica Miguel Kyle Fontaine

Joint Best Attackers Jamaar Cropper from St. Vincent and the Grenadines / Rio Jaden Victor from St. Lucia

Best Opposite from St. Kitts and Nevis, Aziel Belle

Joint Best Blockers Shadron Delpesche from St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Malcolm Christopher from the British Virgin Islands

Best Digger from Dominica, Mervin Mingo

Best Libero from Dominica, Mervin Mingo

Best Scorer from St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Jamaar Cropper

MVP Jamaar Cropper from St. Vincent and the Grenadines

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, October 15, 2023. – St. Vincent and the Grenadines are the Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) U23 Male Champions, after overcoming a pesky St. Kitts and Nevis in a five-set thriller (25-18, 24-26, 27-25, 23-25, 15-6).

With the victory, St. Vincent and the Grenadines also secure a berth to the U23 Pan American Championship.

Both captains led from the front. St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ Jamaar Cropper tallied an incredible thirty-four (34) points, to lead all scorers. Captain Zendai Richards of St. Kitts and Nevis amassed twenty (20) points to lead his team.

Both teams were engaged in a mental tug-o-war in the early stages of the first set, with no team able to create any real separation. St. Vincent and the Grenadines squeezed out a two-point lead at the second technical timeout. On resumption of play, St. Vincent and the Grenadines captain, Jamaar Cropper, thundered two serves to extend the advantage. That lead proved sufficient, to secure the first set.

Cropper was at it again in the second set. He unleashed two serves, one an ace, put St. Vincent and the Grenadines up by two at the technical timeout. Both teams exchanged attacks and St. Vincent and the Grenadines took a one-point lead into the second technical timeout. St. Kitts and Nevis did not fold, though, and they made some critical stops at the net, to level the match at one set a piece.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines stormed out to a 5-point lead by the first technical timeout and were up by as many seven points. St. Kitts and Nevis managed to make inroads via key stops at the net. The lead was cut to two points by the second technical timeout. It was a thrilling back and forth between the two teams, requiring an extra frame before St. Vincent and the Grenadines closed out the set.

Both teams fought doggedly to claim an advantage. There were some nail-biting exchanges and the one-point differential between the teams, at the second technical timeout highlighted the closeness of the set. St. Kitts and Nevis served a couple balls that unsettled the St. Vincent and Grenadines attack and that was the difference maker in the fourth set.

In the fifth set, St. Vincent and the Grenadines were able to create some early separation and force a timeout from St. Kitts and Nevis. That lead grew to four points by the time the teams switched sides. On resumption, St. Vincent and the Grenadines added to their advantage and forced another St. Kitts and Nevis timeout. That lead proved insurmountable. 

“We set out to achieve gold and we got it,” an ecstatic Cropper shouted.

“We fought and we fell just short but we will rise up,” Richards promised.

Ten countries, the largest representation to date, competed in the championship.

ROAD TOWN, Tortola,  October 15, 2023. – Dominica are the bronze medal winners of the Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) U23 Male Championship. They dominated St. Maarten in match 23, three straight sets, to claim the hardware 3-0 (25-23, 25-5, 25-20).

Top scorer of the match was Dominica’s outside hitter Sherron Peter Vidal, with 12 points. The leading scorer for St. Maarten was Marcin Kwiatkowski, with 6 points.

Both teams exchanged points in the early stages, in what seemed an exploratory session, to find the right combinations. By the second technical timeout, Dominica had a slight lead and extended it thereafter with a key block, a finesse play by the setter and unforced errors by St. Maarten. St. Maarten fought back but that slight advantage that Dominica had created was enough to get them over the hump and seal the first set.

In the second set Dominica rushed out the gates and established a seven-point lead by the first technical timeout. That lead quickly increased with St. Maarten struggling to pass and make any potent attacks. Two huge blocks from Dominica brought up the second technical timeout and a 13-point lead in hand. A serving error summarized the torrid time St. Maarten had and underscored the dominance Dominica displayed in the second set.

St. Maarten erased the previous set from memory and produced some spirited volleyball to lead at the first technical timeout. The offensive was short-lived, however, as Dominica returned to their aggressive form and took a two-point lead at the second technical timeout. They created some additional space and finished the match with a resounding block.

“We had something to prove tonight. We are a quality team and we wanted to make sure that we showcased that,” captain Keaun Reefe of Dominica stated.

“I am happy that our team was able to capture the bronze medal and this would serve as some encouragement for them as they take the next steps in their volleyball lives. Some may well be preparing for call-up to the senior team,” head coach of Dominica Jeffrey Edmund shared.

“I am proud of my team. Some of these players have been playing volleyball for a very short time and for the team to be in the top four says a lot about our potential,” St. Maarten’s captain Rajheem Meulens said.

“We did well just to be in this position and we can only improve as we go forward,” coach Nicholas Henrietta added.

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, October 15, 2023. St. Kitts and Nevis are through to the final of the Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) U23 Male Championship, after beating St. Maarten 3 sets to 1, in a keenly contested match 22. The final scores were 25-17, 21-25, 25-21 and 25 15.

St. Kitts and Nevis takes on St. Vincent and the Grenadines in the final later today, at 8 p.m.

Both captains showed tremendous skills to lead their sides and captain Zendai Richards amassed twenty-one (21) points to emerge as the match’s top scorer. Captain Rajheem Meulens of St. Maarten tallied thirteen (13) points for his team.

St. Kitts and Nevis established an early lead by the first technical timeout. St. Maarten showed resilience and fought back. The scenario repeated itself at the second technical timeout, St. Kitts and Nevis in the lead, and St. Maarten clawed back. In the latter portion of the set St. Kitts and Nevis asserted themselves, with some sharp attacks, to close out the set.

St. Maarten held the advantage at the first technical timeout. They piled on the advantage with some tough services, forcing errant passes from their opponent. St. Kitts and Nevis further exacerbated the situation by gifting several points to St. Maarten via service errors. By the second technical timeout, they had built a sizeable lead. St. Maarten staved a furious response from St. Kitts and Nevis at the end of the set to equalize.

Set number three was an exciting tussle between both teams. St. Maarten held the lead at the first technical timeout, but St. Kitts and Nevis strung together several attacks that put them in front at the second technical timeout. St. Maarten responded and reeled off four straight points, led by their captain, to give them a three-point advantage. St. Kitts and Nevis then stormed back with six straight points to build a lead and ultimately take the set.

St. Kitts and Nevis sped out the gates in the fourth set and there was little response from St. Maarten. At each technical timeout St. Kitts and Nevis enjoyed a sizeable lead. The pressure of requiring a herculean effort to rescue the match was too much for St. Maarten and a service error at match point sealed the outcome for St. Kitts and Nevis.

“We executed our game plan of serving tough for the most part of the match and we recognize that there are several aspects that we need to improve on heading into the final. But we will celebrate this victory for the time being,” captain Zendai Richards of St. Kitts and Nevis stated.

“Our passing betrayed us at throughout the match. However, we will resume the fight in the bronze medal match later,” captain Rajheem Meulens of St. Maarten expressed.

The bronze medal match will between St. Maarten and Dominica, at 6 p.m., this evening.

The final between St. Kitts and Nevis and St. Vincent and the Grenadines is at 8 p.m.

The matches can be viewed live at:

https://www.youtube.com/@ecva.volleyball

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, October 15, 2023. – St. Vincent and the Grenadines are into the final of the Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) U23 Male Championship, after humbling Dominica in three straight sets, in match 21. The match ended 25-17, 25-21 and 25 -9.

Captain Jamaar Cropper stood out, once again, as he blazed spikes from various positions on court. He completed the match with twenty-one (21) points. Dominica’s captain Keaun Reefe top-scored for his team with eleven (11) points.  

In the first set, St. Vincent and the Grenadines enjoyed a five-point cushion at the first technical timeout. They kept the opponent off balanced with their serving and because of this Dominica managed only one potent attack. By the second technical timeout it was a seven-point lead to St. Vincent and the Grenadines. They dictated play and maintained that comfortable lead to the end.

Dominica made some adjustments in the second set and created an early three-point lead. St. Vincent and the Grenadines took a quick time and wrestled back the advantage to reach the first technical timeout with the lead. St. Vincent and the Grenadines carried that lead to the second technical timeout. There were some quality exchanges after but St. Vincent and the Grenadines able to distance themselves at the end.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines continued to pile on the attack in the third. Their ability to generate out of system offense ruffled Dominica. They enjoyed sizeable leads at both technical timeouts and it was soon obvious that Dominica conceded. An out of rotation call to end the match was indicative of how unsettled they were.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines await the winner of match 22, St. Kitts and Nevis vs St. Maarten, for the final later this evening, October 15.

“We are so overjoyed! One more match for us to realize our goal,” exclaimed captain Cropper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

“We didn’t show up today. The energy level was very low and we needed all parts to be fully functional to have a chance of victory against our opponent,” Dominica’s captain Reefe noted.

The final will be at 8 p.m.

View the match live:

https://www.youtube.com/@ecva.volleyball

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, October 14, 2023. – St. Lucia cruised past Antigua and Barbuda in a consolation pool B match-up, in match 20 of the Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) U23 Male Championship. Both teams did not advance out of pool play; St. Lucia won two matches and lost two, while Antigua and Barbuda was winless.The final scores were 25-8, 25-15, 25-8.

Top scorer of the match was St. Lucia’s outside hitter Fabio Lamontagne. He dominated with his spikes and accumulated 13 points. Antigua’s Khaliq Joseph was the only player on his team who troubled the other side. He had 3 points.

Both coaches, Terry of St. Lucia and Michael Hamilton of Antigua and Barbuda, spoke of using the tournament as a platform the continued development of youths in the respective volleyball programs.

In tomorrow’s first semifinal, Dominica come up against St. Vincent and the Grenadines at 9.a.m, and St. Kitts and Nevis engage St. Maarten at 11 a.m. The final takes place later in the evening at 8 p.m. The bronze medal match will be at 6 p.m.

Follow the remaining games via the live stream:

https://www.youtube.com/@ecva.volleyball

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, October 14, 2023. – St. Maarten are the fourth semifinalist in the ECVA U23 Male Championship after a thrilling five set victory over host the British Virgin Islands. The match 19 win was laced with emotion, stunning turning arounds and nail-biting rallies.

St. Maarten responded after an inspirational move, where their captain was inserted into the match in the latter half of the fourth set. He was sidelined up to that point because of personal reasons but his introduction to the game motivated his team. They took that momentum right into the fifth set.

Top scorer for the match was the British Virgin Islands Kymal Panchoo with 16 points. The leading scorer for St. Maarten was Marcin Kwiatkowski. He tallied 15 points.

The host team British Virgin Islands won the first set behind several key blocks and forcing the opponent to play out of system. The vocal support of the home crowd also provided added incentive to come out firing.

St. Maarten were able to silence the crowd with added hustle and consistent serving and attacks and by the time both teams began trading points in the latter stages of the set, the visitors had established a comfortable lead.

In the third set, St. Maarten rode the momentum from the previous set. They led eight (8) to zero (0) at the first technical timeout. Playing from behind proved too much for the host and they conceded the set.

The host came alive in the fourth set. They reverted to their blocking strategy and it rattled the St. Maarten players. Their captain Panchoo got a whiff of the “Midas touch”; he carried his team. It was a stunning turnaround for the home side.

The fifth set was a full on battle, as both teams fought to gain the advantage. At the point of switching, St. Maarten held a slim lead and they were able to diffuse a last charge to steal the set.

St. Martin’s coach Nicholas Henrietta was beaming with pride. He emphasized how proud he was of his team and noted that they will relish the victory as it provides additional confidence heading into the semifinal.

The British Virgin Islands coach Kwele Williams said he was impressed with the level of play that his team showcased in the loss and noted that it was indicative of a passion to continue their volleyball growth.

The four semifinalists are St. Kitts and Nevis, Dominica, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and St. Maarten. Both semifinals will be played tomorrow morning (October 15).

Follow the link below for live streaming:

https://www.youtube.com/@ecva.volleyball

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, October 14, 2023. – Grenada secured a consolation victory over their pool A counterparts Anguilla, in match 18 of the ECVA U23 Male Championship. It was the sole win for Grenada, in four matches. Anguilla finished the tournament without registering a win. The final scores were 25 16, 25 16 and 25 19.

Top scorer for the match was Grenada’s outside hitter Jamal Collins, with 15 points. Anguilla’s captain Trevon Smith scored 6 points.

Grenada used the period between the first and second technical timeouts to consolidate on their lead and put the first set out of the reach of Anguilla. A huge part of the separation was tough serving.

The second set was a tale of two halves. Anguilla led at the first technical timeout. However, Grenada put together a string of attacks and coupled with some errant passes from Anguilla, they surpassed and built a lead.

Grenada shot out to an early lead in the third and looked to be in cruise control but Anguilla began chipping into their lead. Grenada then took a quick time out and that seemingly disrupted the rhythm of Anguilla’s aggression.

Grenada’s coach Javin Noel revealed that his team’s strategy was to take the game by intervals, first and second technical timeouts, with the goal of reaching each interval first.

Anguilla’s coach Jason Liburd stated that the tournament is a major step in the development of his youths and he envisions a strong future for his volleyball program.

The ECVA U23 Male Championship semifinals are tomorrow morning, October 15. The confirmed semi-finalists are St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Dominica. The fourth contender will be identified later this evening.

Click on the link below for live-streaming of the matches:

https://www.youtube.com/@ecva.volleyball

ROAD TOWN, Tortola. October 14, 2023. – St. Vincent and the Grenadines are the third team to confirm a spot in the semifinals of the ECVA U23 Male Championship, in match 17. They overwhelmed pool B rivals Saba in three straight sets to finish with a record of three wins and one loss in pool play. The final scores were 25 7, 25 9 and 25 13.

The joint top scorers of the match were St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ Shadron Delpesche and captsain Jamaar Cropper, who both had 16 points. Saba’s top scorer was captain Jalen Robinson.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines dominated every offensive category. This was inclusive of aces, with the tally reaching 15.

“We are excited to be in the semifinal, which is one step closer to our objective of securing a podium spot,” captain Cropper stated.

“We didn’t win our matches but it is important to use this platform as a channel for our continued development,” Saba’s captain Robinson said.

Saba’s tournament is ended but St. Vincent and the Grenadines will know their opponent in the semi-final later this evening, when St. Maarten and host British Virgin Islands clash.

View the game live:

https://www.youtube.com/@ecva.volleyball

ROAD TOWN, Tortola. October 14, 2023. – St. Kitts and Nevis are through to the semifinal of the ECVA U23 Male Championship, after defeating St. Lucia in four sets, in match 15,. The two teams have been perennial rivals and the pool B match produced anxious moments, exceptional defense and commendable offence. The final score was 26 28, 25 14, 25 23 and 25 18. St. Kitts and Nevis boast an unblemished record in their four matches.

Too scorer of the match was St. Kitts and Nevis’ captain Zendai Richards, with 25 points. Rio Jaden Victor led St. Lucia 2ith 11 points.

St. Lucia rallied from four points down late in the first set. They continued to apply pressure forcing St. Kitts and Nevis to make critical attacking errors that eventually led to the set win for St. Lucia.

St. Kitts and Nevis responded with a quick start to the second set, taking a 4 to 0 lead. St. Lucia produced the expected fight-back but they were never able to recover from the early blitz. A service ace ended a comfortable second set for St. Kitts and Nevis.

The third set was a nail-biter, with St. Lucia controlling the lead until the latter half of the set, when St. Kitts and Nevis capitalized on several errors. They were gifted the set when the St. Lucia player served into the net.

In the fourth set, St. Kitts and Nevis maintained the high energy from the previous set and forced some key substitutions from St. Lucia. They sensed victory and seized the opportunity to close out the match. 

Captain Zendai Richards said his squad was beaming with pride because of the victory. He noted that they will continue to work on fine-tuning plays for upcoming matches.

St. Lucia’s captain Kernel Remy indicated that his team was unable to execute their game plan because of errant passes and other unforced errors. He expressed disappointment with the loss but said they were keen to work on executing better volleyball in their upcoming match against Antigua and Barbuda.

St. Kitts and Nevis await the results of upcoming matches to know their semifinal opponent. Semifinal matches are tomorrow morning, October 15.

View matches lives on the link below:

https://www.youtube.com/@ecva.volleyball

ROAD TOWN, Tortola. October 14, 2023. – Dominica formally secured their spot in the semifinal of the Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) U23 Male Championship after victory over Anguilla in their pool A clash. Dominica won all four matches that they played. The final scores were 25 19, 25 13 and 25 19.

Dominica featured their secondary unit so their primary players got some rest ahead of the semifinals.

Both teams a bit flatfooted at the start of the first set but as the game progressed, they began to execute plays. Dominica surged ahead to reach the second technical timeout with a comfortable lead. Anguilla fought back but Dominica was able to keep them at bay to finish the set.

The second set was a little lop-sided as Larian Tulloch, the opposite for Dominica, unleashed some crunching jump serves and Anguilla were unable to make the required adjustment.  Dominica enjoyed a sizeable lead by the second technical timeout and cruised to the set win.

Anguilla was able to recover and give a better representation in the third set but Dominica managed to stave them off.  

Dominica’s coach Jeffrey Edmund indicated that he was very pleased with his second unit’s performance against Anguilla and welcomed the opportunity rest his players.

Coach Jason Liburd of Anguilla expressed disappointment at the loss but he assured that his team is committed to play even more competitively for their upcoming match.

Anguilla, who are winless, play against Grenada later this afternoon.

The results of upcoming matches will determine who Dominica plays in the semifinal.

You can follow the games live:

https://www.youtube.com/@ecva.volleyball

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, October 13, 2023.- St. Vincent and the Grenadines made it clear they are eyeing a berth to the semifinal round of the Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) U23 Male Championship with a convincing victory Antigua and Barbuda. The victors cruised to a 25-14, 25-13, 25-16 win.

Jamaar Cropper, captain of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines team, was the top scorer of the match with 21 points. Kaliq Joseph had seven (7) points for Antigua and Barbuda.

“We know that if we limited our opponents to as few points as possible, it increases our chances of securing a semifinal spot. We met that objective,” coach of St. Vincent and the Grenadines Daryl Franklyn disclosed.

“Our players are young and this part of their development; match opportunities against a quality field, so we are continuously learning and growing,” Antigua and Barbuda’s coach Michael Hamilton shared.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines play Saba tomorrow morning, October 14, and Antigua and Barbuda play St. Lucia, in the evening.

You can follow the games live:

https://www.youtube.com/@ecva.volleyball

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, October 13, 2023. – Hosts British Virgin Islands won a thrilling five set encounter against Grenada to keep their hopes of moving out of pool (B) play alive. The final attack from the BVI that drizzled past the Grenada block, then dropping to the ground, sent the Multi-Purpose Sports Complex into a frenzy. The final scores were 17-25, 26-24, 22-25, 25-22 and 17 15.

Top scorer for the British Virgin Islands was their captain Kymal Panchoo, with fifteen (15) points. Top scorer of the match was Jamal Collins, who tallied 17 points.

Grenada sped out to an early lead in the first set and never looked back. The British Virgin Islands made several attempts to level the scores but Grenada held firm to claim a 25-17 first set.

Spurred on by a boisterous home crowd, the British Virgin Islands fought doggedly and stayed neck and neck with their opponent. They sealed a hotly contested second set, 26-24, with a massive block from their captain Panchoo.

Grenada regrouped and disrupted the rhythm of the host and made two crucial stops to secure the third set 25-22.

The British Virgin Islands surprised Grenada with their aggression in the fourth set and quickly extended the scoreline. Their reward was a 25-22 set win.

An emotional captain Panchoo said his team was delighted to have won their second match of the tournament. He praised his teammates for their resilience and said he looked forward to their next match.

Grenada’s captain Jabarie Collins noted that it was a heart-wrenching loss but he was proud of his team’s fight, particularly willing themselves on despite the overwhelming support for the home side.

Grenada play Anguilla tomorrow, October 14, and the British Virgin Islands play St. Maarten, right after.

Watch games live on the link below:

https://www.youtube.com/@ecva.volleyball

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, October 13, 2023. – St. Kitts and Nevis have secured their third win at the ECVA U23 Male Championship. The win  in match 12  of the championship, also guarantees their advancing out of pool play. Victory came at the expense of Saba. It also means that St. Kitts and Nevis have won all their matches (pool A) without conceding a set. On the flip side, Saba are still seeking their first victory.

Elkreen Morton was the top scorer for St. Kitts and Nevis with eleven (11) points, inclusive of nine (9) aces. Suedaiyer Pemberton had eight (8) points for Saba.

Tough serving was once again the standout feature for St. Kitts and Nevis. The team combined for an impressive twenty-four (24) aces, unnerving the Saba players, en route to the win.

The flat tough serves were complemented by effective attacks from various parts of the court. The first set ended with a score of 25 7.

The serving barrage continued into the second set but Saba made some adjustments and fought formidably, even countering with some tough serves of their own. However, St. Kitts and Nevis were too strong in the end; claiming the set 25 21.

The St. Kitts and Nevis attack was relentless, right through the third set and the match ended with a flurry of aces; 25 14.

Coach Rick Swan emphasized the importance efficient play, especially when the game schedule is loaded.

Captain of Saba team Jalen Robinson indicated that he saw spurts of commendable play from his team and noted that they are using the tournament as tool for development.

St. Kitts and Nevis play St. Lucia tomorrow morning, October 14, while Saba face St. Vincent and the Grenadines immediately after.

Follow the games live:https://www.youtube.com/@ecva.volleyball

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, Ocotber 13, 2023.- Players from St. Kitts and Nevis combined for seventeen (17) aces to register their second win in a row, and dispatch Antigua and Barbuda in straight sets, in match 10, at the Multi-Purpose Sport Complex. St. Kitts and Nevis dominated from the onset to overcome their pool B rival, in the ECVA U23 Male Championship.

Subscribe to the ECVA YouTube Channel in the link below for live stream of the matches:

https://www.youtube.com/@ecva.volleyball

Elkreen Morton was joint top scorer of the match with his captain Zendai Richards. Both had twelve points each, including eight (8) aces from Morton. Outisde hitter Amali Mannix top scored for Antigua and Barbuda with five points.

Team St. Kitts and Nevis utilized tough and consistent float serves to gain the edge in the first set. The team registered seven aces in the first set, ensuring that the opponent remained off balance with their passing. The first set ended 25 to 16.

 St. Kitts and Nevis pressed on with the tough serving and continued to stifle any strong resistance from Antigua and Barbuda. They also consolidated with a solid blocking presence at the net to end the set with a score of 25 to 15.

St. Kitts and Nevis maintained a high level of play into the third, while making line-up changes. The third set finished 25 13.

“Winning feels good and doing it efficiently is even more important. So we are going to prepare for our next match this afternoon,” captain Zendai Richards stated.

“Despite the loss, we are seeing improvements. However, we do need to clean up our serve receive,” captain Kemarni Joseph of Antigua and Barbuda said.

St. Kitts and Nevis play Saba later this afternoon (October 13). Antigua and Barbuda engage St. Vincent and the Grenadines this evening.

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, October 13, 2023.  — Dominica overwhelmed host British Virgin Islands in three straight sets to add another victory to their tally. The match 8 win was the culminating match of day 2 at the Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) U23 Male Championship. The final scores were 25 13, 25 7 and 25 13.

Nester James, with his 11 points, led four players from Dominica who had double digit totals in points.

This was also Dominica’s second win in as many games.

Captain Kymal Panchoo was the only attacker of the British Virgin Islands who troubled the Dominica defense. He had six points.

The British Virgin Islands were undone by aggressive serves, quick attacks and formidable blocking.

Dominica’s captain Keaun Reefe expressed his joy at a second win and noted that it was critical to build momentum as the tournament progresses.

Captain Panchoo of the British Virgin Islands, though humbled by the loss, gave the assurance that his team will muster the energy to rebound for their next game.

Dominica plays St. Maarten this morning, October 13. The British Virgin Islands come up against Grenada later this afternoon.

ROAD TOWN, Tortola. October 13, 2023. — St. Vincent and the Grenadines downed their neighbours St. Lucia in a five set thriller, at the Multi-Purpose Sports Complex yesterday, October 12. The pool B clash was match seven (7) of the Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) U23 Male Championship.

Captain Jamaar Cropper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines took his team on his shoulder and launched a barrage of attacks on his opponents. He finished the game with a mammoth 34 points. His heavy hitting is what led his team to come back from two sets down to claim the epic encounter. Ironically, it was a calculated dink from Cropper that ended the match, a stark contrast to his thunderous spikes.

Outside attacker Lamontagne was the top scorer for St. Lucia with 20 points.

St. Lucia won the first set 25 22, took the second set 25 23 and then Cropper and his team went into overdrive, roaring back 25 15, 25 22 and 15 13.

The match had all the elements of an instant classic. St. Vincent and the Grenadines overcame a red card, a yellow card, the scare of injury to their captain and persistent attacks from St. Lucia in the latter part of set two to turn the tide of the match.

“We needed this win and my teammates came through,” the St. Vincent and the Grenadines captain exclaimed.

His coach, Daryl Franklyn, indicated that the game plan was to improve on several aspects of the game that they felt failed them in their earlier match and he saw a significant improvement.

“It was a tough loss but a great match, nonetheless. We will just have to regroup for our next match,” the St. Lucia captain Remy indicated.

“We did not execute several fundamentals and that cost us dearly. However, the game was very competitive and I applaud both teams,” the St. Lucia Coach Terry Verdant stated.

It was the second match of the championship for St. Vincent and the Grenadines and the first one for St. Lucia.

St. Lucia plays Saba this morning (October 13) while St. Vincent and the Grenadines play Antigua and Barbuda later in the evening.

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, October 12, 2023.-  It is two wins in one day for St. Maarten at the Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) U23 Male Championship. Both wins came on day 2 of competition for the pool A team.

The match 6 win came at the expense of Anguilla, who have now lost both their games so far.

Both teams jostled for the upper hand in a marathon first set before St. Maarten claimed a 30 28 set win. Anguilla kept pecking at the St. Maarten defense but Team St. Maarten eventually found a way to claim sets two and three, 25 20 and 25 21, respectively.

Top scorer of the match was St. Maarten’s captain Rajheem Meulens, who scored twenty-one (21) points. The bulk of Anguilla’s offense came from outside hitter Aidin Richardson. He had ten (10) points.

The St. Maarten captain Meulens and their coach Nicholas Henrietta both commended Anguilla for the tenacity shown. They indicated that they utilized the match against Anguilla to fine tune some offensive strategies, in hopes of using them in future games.

Anguilla captain Trevon Smith, visibly disappointed with the loss, pledged a strong rebound for the upcoming games. Coach Jason Liburd extracted the positives from the match and indicated that he saw significant improvements in several categories, compared to the first match.

St. Maarten next plays Dominica tomorrow morning, October 13. While Anguilla rests on Friday and resume on October 14.

ROAD TOWN, Tortola. October 12, 2023.  -Antigua and Barbuda were able to overcome some stubborn resistance from Saba to win their pool B match in four (4) sets; 25-21, 18-25, 25-23 and 25-14.

The victors distributed their attacking around the various positions and were also able to edge Saba in the defensive categories. Miguel Lugo of Antigua and Barbuda was the joint top scorer of the match with nine (9) points. On the other side of the net, Tyreke Hassell led Saba with nine (9) points.

This was match 5 of the Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) U23 Male Championships.

“It was really reassuring to hear my teammates being vocal. We understand that communication is very important in the game and I am proud of how much they displayed good communication,” Antigua and Barbuda’s captain Kermani Joseph stated.

“It is always good to win but it is even more satisfying when you improve as you win,” his coach, Michael Hamilton explained.

“We lost yes but I am so proud of this moment. We would have faced several challenges in getting wholesome training sessions before coming here but I am proud of how we have grabbed this opportunity to play,” captain of the Saba team Jalen Robinson related.

“This is the kind of competition that Saba needs to be exposed to accelerate the development of the young players. I always say we either win or we learn, and we are learning,” Saba coach Patricio Bridgewater emphasized.

Saba’s second match is against St. Lucia tomorrow morning, October 13, while Antigua and Barbuda play St. Kitts and Nevis.

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, October 12, 2023.  – Team St. Kitts and Nevis scored a straight sets victory over St. Vincent and the Grenadines, as both teams opened their match accounts at the Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) U23 Male Championship. St. Kitts and Nevis won 25-22, 25-16 and 25-22. This was a pool B encounter (match 4).

Aziel Belle spearheaded the attack for St. Kitts and Nevis with eleven (11) points. However, captain Jamaar Cropper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines was the top scorer of the match with fifteen (15) points.

St. Kitts and Nevis produced some services that proved problematic to St. Vincent and the Grenadines and this in turn impacted their opponent’s ability to mesh consistent potent attacks.

“We are happy to have gotten the win. This is important as we work towards achieving our goals. The first match jitters are over with and we are expecting an even higher level of volleyball from our ranks,” Zendai Richards, the captain for St. Kitts and Nevis, shared.

“We have been training for a few weeks now and we are working concertedly to execute the various strategies we have adapted in practice,” Coach Rick Swan Coach of St. Kitts and Nevis added.

“It is important that we do not panic and we regroup for our second match,” captain Cropper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines advised.

“We were having challenges with our attacks this morning but we will focus on rebounding,” the St. Vincent and the Grenadines coach Daryl Franklyn added.

Next up for St. Kitts and Nevis is Antigua and Barbuda, on October 13, in the morning, then St. Vincent and the Grenadines have the same opponent later in the evening.

ROAD TOWN, Tortola. October 12, 2023. – St. Maarten started their Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) U23 Male championship campaign with a win, at the expense of Team Grenada, in match three of the championship. St. Maarten won in three straight sets; 25-19, 26-24 and 25-7.

Captain of St. Maarten Rajheem Meulens was the top scorer of the match with 15 points. Grenada’s attack was led by outside hitter Jamal Collins, who had 10 points.

The loss was the second straight defeat for Team Grenada, less than 24 hours after playing in match one (1).

Team St. Maarten was able to absorb the shock of a quick start from Grenada through precision serving and set plays that unsettled the opponent. They also managed to stifle brief spurts of aggression by Team Grenada.

“We are thrilled to have overcome nervousness and register our first victory. The team’s confidence increased after every set,” team captain Meulens of St. Maarten said.

“Our expectation is to always win and I am confident that our level of play will improve even more as the championship progresses,” his coach Nicholas Henrietta added.

“Of course, we wanted this victory and we are disappointed but the message to my teammates is to regroup and play with even more confidence,” Grenada’s captain Jabarie Collins said.

“It is frustrating that we are not seeing the full potential of our players. Hopefully we can decrease the number of unforced errors and string together some winning sets,” Grenada’s Coach Javin Noel offered.

Grenada is scheduled to engage host British Virgin Islands tomorrow evening (October 13). St. Maarten will face Dominica in the morning.

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, October 11, 2023. – The British Virgin Islands (BVI) started off their ECVA U23 Male Championship campaign with victory, as they subdued Anguilla in three straight sets 25-23, 25-22, 25-13, in Match 2.

Outside hitter Javin Wattley and captain Kymal Panchoo navigated the home side to the win with thirteen (13) and twelve (12) points, respectively, in the Pool A match.

Outside hitter Je’Vaunti Sasso was the most prolific attacker for team Anguilla. He tallied 10 points, inclusive of two aces.

Despite BVI asserting themselves with their blocking early in the first set, Anguilla were determined to frustrate the home side with scrappy play. Pivotal attacks by Wattley and a crushing block on set point secured the first set for the host, 25 to 23.

The second set had a similar pattern to the first and with the home crowd cheering them on loudly, the BVI was able to secure the set at 25 to 22.

The BVI obliged their fans with a more convincing third set, wrapping up the match with the score of 25 to 13 in set three.

Coach Kwele Williams and captain Panchoo, of the BVI, both lauded the efforts of Wattley. They also expressed a commitment to improving their level of play even more for their next match.

Anguilla’s Coach Jason Liburd and captain Trevon Smith were disappointed with the loss but found solace in overcoming the nervousness of a first match and gaining experience from their first match.

Anguilla next plays St. Maarten on Thursday (tomorrow) while the BVI plays Grenada (October 12).

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, October 11, 2023.  – In match 1 (one) of the ECVA U23 Male Championship, Dominica registered a first victory with a 3-0 (25-19, 25-21, 25-23) win over Grenada, in a Pool A encounter at the Multi-Purpose Sporting Complex.

Middle blocker Nester James led the scoring for Dominica with nine (9) points. The leading scorer of the match was outside attacker Jamal Collins, with ten (10) points, including two aces.

Dominica was able to overcome a very slow start in the first set, trailing eight (8) to one (1) at the first technical timeout, before clinching the set by a score of 25 to 19. This was a result of effective top spin serves, execution of key plays at crucial times and a string of unforced errors by team Grenada.

The second set was a competitive back and forth, until Dominica was able to create some distance between the two teams, eventually making a defensive stand to end the second set at 25 to 21.

Set number three was even more competitive. A service error and final block by Dominica was the defining stand, as they wrapped up the match 25 to 23, in the third.

Captain of Team Dominica Keaun Reefe expressed his excitement to register a first championship victory.

His coach Jeffrey Edmund was also content with his team’s win. He applauded their confidence, despite challenges with training sessions in the lead-up to the tournament.

Captain of Grenada Jabarie Collins noted that his team was frustrated with the loss but they are hopeful of more positive outcomes in upcoming matches.

Grenada’s coach Javin Noel blamed a string of unforced errors for his team’s loss but encouraged his players to regroup and grab the next opportunity to execute plays better.

Grenada play St. Maarten tomorrow morning (October 12) while Dominica play host British Virgin Islands later in the evening.

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, BVI. October 11, 2023. – The two zones of play have been confirmed ahead of the start of the Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) U23 Male Volleyball Championship, which commences today, October 11.

Pool A comprises the host the British Virgin Islands (BVI), St. Maarten (SXM), Grenada (GRN), Dominica (DMA), and Anguilla (AGU).

Pool B consists of Antigua and Barbuda (ANT), St. Lucia (LCA), St. Vincent and the Grenadines (VIN), St. Kitts and Nevis (SKN) and Saba (SAB).

Today features two matches. Grenada plays Dominica at 6 p.m., in the opening encounter and Anguilla compete against host British Virgin Islands at 8 p.m.

Premier of the British of the Virgin Islands Hon. Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley expressed excitement at his government’s partnering with the Virgin Islands Volleyball Association (VIVA) to host the second edition of the ECVA U23 Male Championship, during a press conference yesterday, October 10.

“Volleyball is a sport that requires commitment, dedication and lots of practice and it is only fitting that these are some of the qualities that we look for in our young men. I am also pleased to see that persons associated with volleyball have taken on the opportunity to mentor our youngsters, through the sport,” the Premier noted.

ECVA Delegate Brenda Allen indicated that her association is pleased with preparations for the tournament and gave the assurance that every effort will be made to use volleyball to positively impact the development of young people.

Today’s (October 11) matches precede the official opening ceremony which is scheduled for tomorrow, October 12.

Road Town, Tortola BVI. October 10, 2023. – Ten countries are confirmed for the historic second edition of the Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) Male U23 Championship, at the Multi-Purpose Sports Center, in Road Town, Tortola, from October 11-15.

Participating countries include hosts British Virgin Islands (BVI); St. Lucia (LCA), gold medalists in the inaugural event in 2016; Antigua and Barbuda (ANT), silver medalists in 2016; Sint Maarten (SXM), Dominica (DCA); Grenada (GRN); Anguilla (AGU); St. Vincent and the Grenadines (VIN); St. Kitts and Nevis (SKN) and Saba (SAB).

The winner of the ECVA U23 tournament gets a berth to the 2024 NORCECA U23 Pan American Cup.

Teams will be placed in two zones and will engage each other in preliminary round play running from Wednesday 11th to Saturday 14th. The semifinal matches will be on Sunday morning and the podium matches will be played later that evening.

Coaches from the various teams have expressed excitement ahead of this qualifier, during the preliminary inquiry, which was held via virtual platforms- a nod to the continued integration of technology to grow the sport.

“We are confident that our standout players will mesh well during this tournament to allow us to be successful,” Coach Daryl Franklyn of Team St. Vincent and the Grenadines intimated.

“We have had our challenges with team cohesion happening but our players are committed to giving their best during this tournament,” Coach Patricio Bridgewater of Saba offered.

“The team has been training and working hard over the last couple of months. We have a great bunch of young men who are ready to compete and are looking forward to playing some competitive matches,” noted Coach Richard Swan of St. Kitts and Nevis.

“Our expectation for the team is to compete and play hard. We are also focusing on the development of the team and giving these young athletes the exposure,” stated Coach Michael Hamilton of Antigua and Barbuda.

“This tournament will showcase the results of the hard work we have been putting into our youth, through school programs and we believe that they will be great volleyball ambassadors for St. Maarten. We are ready!” said a confident Nicholas Henrietta, Coach of Team St. Maarten.

“Our goal as always is to win the final match of the tournament.  We anticipate that it will be a tough but fun tournament as all the team would be having high expectations,” Coach Jason Liburd of Anguilla offered.

“We are looking forward to being a competitive team and gaining valuable experience at this tournament. At the same time, we are going in with aspirations of being in the top 3 at the conclusion of these games,” Coach Kwele Williams of the host country, British Virgin Islands, explained.

Coaches from St. Lucia, Grenada and Dominica were also confident of stellar representation by their players throughout the tournament.

The ten confirmed teams eclipse the seven participants from the first edition of the competition in 2016.