ST. LUCIA emerged champions of the inaugural Eastern Caribbean Under – 23 Women’s Volleyball Championships played at the Vide Bouteille Secondary School Court late Sunday evening.
The home team played the final against Antigua and Barbuda to win 3 – 0.
The St. Lucians took control of the action in set one, with powerful kills and effective blocking to win 25 – 1. In the second set, the Antiguans showed some resilience in the defence, but the St. Lucians were on top of their game as they dominated without complications and a comfortable advantage to win 25 – 20 with some powerful spiking coming from Kerin Neptune.
Going into the third set, St. Lucia took control when outside hitter Amika James scored a record 14 consecutive points for the home team to the delight of her teams mates and the small crowd as the visitors had no answer to the home team’s onslaught.
The Antiguans will have themselves to blame for the numerous unforced errors in defence and receiving that helped St. Lucia easily jump into a comfortable 15 – 1 lead in the third set; final set score 25 – 15.
St. Lucia also beat Antigua 3 – 1 in their opening encounter of the championship played on Saturday; set scores (25 – 13, 25 – 17, 25 -27, 25 – 18).
St. Vincent and the Grenadines took the bronze medal when they defeated the British Virgin Islands in straight sets 3 – 0; (25-9, 25-18, 25-22). Alicia Glasgow was SVG’s top scorer for the third successive time, as she tallied 16 points and Shernell Browne registered 10 points. ShoniquaFahie was the British Virgin Islands’ lead scorer with 6 points.
The Vincentians also led in spikes, 21-14, while topping in service aces, 18-5.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines finished the tournament with a 2-2 win/loss, while the BVI was winless from their four matches.
In awards presented it was a clean sweep for St. Lucia as Kerin Neptune was a judged MVP of the championship. She also collected top scorer, best spiker and best receiver awards. Other awards went to St. Lucia Yosherbel Emmanuel (best blocker), Lovell Auguste (best digger/ libero) and Skye Mondesir (best setter).
