SAINT Lucia made a clean sweep, as they proved the pundits correct, to come out on top — once again – in the Eastern Caribbean senior female volleyball championship.
In the final game played on Sunday evening in Antigua and Barbuda, the Saint Lucians had a comfortable 3-1 victory over St. Martin, with scores of 25 -19, 25-18, 23 -25, and 25-14. A result that the majority of fans expected.
The defending champs looked in control of the game until complacency crept in during the 3rd set and St. Martin took the initiative to at least avoid a straight set defeat.
Saint Lucia was carried once again by their Captain and Vice-captain, Lisa Casimie and Kerin Neptune, respectively. Together, they combined for 33 points both scoring 13 spikes each.
On the team score sheet Saint Lucia had a distinct advantage in Attack leading 40-29 in Spikes. They led in blocks as well (10-3) but St. Martin had more Aces – 6 to 4.
On the other side Captain Valerie Damaseau led her team from in front with 12 points and got assistance from Middle Blocker Jacqueline Hodge with 11.
Normally a very quiet guy, Coach Kendall Challery cracked a smile for the first time during the post-match interview. “At this time I am feeling very excited, proud and very satisfied with the result. It means that all the hard work and sacrifices the team put in and made, paid off, now we have the gold medal”, he said with glee.
Charlery went on to explain that his charges were a little too relaxed in the 3rd set. “I think the girls went into that set rather complacent and thinking that they had already won, not knowing that this set would be the toughest. However we were able to regroup to finish it in 4”, he said.
Coach David Williams of St. Martin conceded that he came up on a better team on the night. “I must congratulate the way Saint Lucia played; they have a very well rounded team. Their offence is very difficult to defend as they come from through the middle as well as the sides. This was the first time we met them in the tournament and our girls weren’t able to make the adjustments in time. I must admit that I think they relaxed a bit in the 3rd set which gave us a chance and we took it. From here onwards we go back to the drawing board to devise and plan to dethrone these regular champions”, he said.
Earlier in the day Saint Kitts and Nevis defeated St. Maarten in straight sets (25-20, 25-23, and 25-19) to claim the 5th spot while Antigua and Barbuda defeated Grenada to determine 3rd and 4th hence the final positions are – 1st Saint Lucia 2nd St. Martin, 3rd Antigua and Barbuda, 4th Grenada, 5th St. Kitts and Nevis 6th St. Maarten and 7th Bermuda.
In awards presented, team Saint Lucia took home 6 of the 9 individual awards on hand. Kerin Neptune was easily the best server with a .89 average and 16 Aces included. She was also 3rd in the scoring category. Best Middle Blocker went to Yosherbel Emmanuel (Saint Lucia) she had 17 Blocks and 33 rebounds. Lisa Casimie added to Saint Lucia’s trophy collection when she won the best Outside Hitter while Jade Weaver of Bermuda was adjudged the best Opposite Hitter.
Mali Peters of Antigua and Barbuda had 71 Spikes to edge Lisa Casimie (68) for the Best Scorer title.
Cindy Wilson (Saint Lucia) showed her experience claimed her the Best Setter trophy. Monique Cordiero of Bermuda was a distant second.
Rosemarie Simon who survived an injury scare to her left shoulder earned the Best Digger with a score of 55 digs and doubled her awards by taking the Best Libero title as well.
The lone trophy for St. Maarten went to TivonaTrotmon for the Best Receiver.
The overall MVP went to Lisa Casimie of Saint Lucia. In addition to her Best Outside Hitting award, she was second in Scoring and third in Receiving.