THE Saint Lucia Volleyball Association has a fielded nine-member women’s team, accompanied by two officials, to compete in the 2018 Eastern Caribbean Senior Women’s Volleyball Championship scheduled for Antigua and Barbuda, starting today at the YMCA Indoor Facility and which will run up until Sunday 19th August.
According to SLVA, this marks the first time, since 2014, that Saint Lucia has fielded a team in women’s senior championship.
Saint Lucia will open their campaign in Group A from 6.00 p.m. against Bermuda.
Also on the opening night host Antigua and Barbuda will play Saint Kitts and Nevis at 8.00 p.m. in a Group B match up.
Tomorrow, in Group A, Grenada takes on Dutch Saint Marteen at 9.00 a.m; while Saint Lucia will play Grenada at 11.00 a.m.
Two games are on the card for the evening in Group A: Bermuda plays Dutch Saint Marteen at 6.00 p.m. and in Group B, and Antigua and Barbuda versus French Saint Martin at 8.00 p.m.
On Saturday 18th, in Group A, Saint Lucia takes on Dutch Saint Marteen from 9.00 a.m., Bermuda clashes with Grenada at 11.00 a.m, then at 1.00 p.m. Saint Kitts and Nevis take on French Saint Martin in a Group B match up.
The quarter final of the tournament will take place on Saturday evening from 6.00 p.m.
The semifinal is scheduled for Sunday from 9.00 a.m. The final classification round will take place at 5.00 p.m.; while the third place playoff and final will take place from 7.00 p.m. and 9.00 p.m. respectively
The Saint Lucia squad is captained by University of Arkansas standout Lisa Casimie, (opposite hitter- Le Club),
The remainder of the squad reads – Cindy Wilson (setter – Jetsetters), Kerin Neptune (opposite hitter -Jetsetters), Yorsherbel Emmanuel (middle blocker -Jetsetters), Asher Hunte (libero – Phoenix 758), Laura Tisson Francis – (middle blocker- Le Club), Tanayestigni Joseph -(outside hitter – Le Club), Nyoka Nugent (opposite hitter- Le Club) and Prisca Simon (outside hitter – Dig Set Point).
Making her debut onto the senior national team is Tanayestigni Joseph, she having competed at the Youth Olympic Beach qualifiers in Saint Kitts, Under- 20 female championships.
While in Antigua, the team will be under the watchful eye of Head Coach – Kendell Charlery and Assistant Coach/Team Manager – Timothy James.
Team Saint Lucia is looking forward to capturing the title and returning Saint Lucia volleyball to the elite ranks of ECVA volleyball programmes.
The VOICE spoke to Timothy James, assistant coach and team manager about Saint Lucia’s preparation and chances at the championship. James said, “Based on what I have seen we have a well-balanced team, I expect good results from the women”.
“I have attended most of the training sessions and the players look quite eager to go out there and win. We have Lisa Casimir, who is still at University, but is back with us for the championship and one expects her to prove a point at that level”.
James said, “The team also has the experienced Kerin Neptune, fresh from the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games Beach Volleyball in Colombia and young Tanayestigni Joseph who is making her debut at that level. With the youth and experience combination heading over to Antigua and Barbuda the Saint Lucia team should give a good account of themselves”.
Meanwhile, The VOICE also spoke to ECVA President Glen Quinlan in Saint Kitts and Nevis about the tournament and his anticipation. He said, “This is our first female championship in a couple of years; we have seven participating countries. In Group A -Saint Lucia, Grenada, Bermuda and Dutch Saint Marteen. Group B comprises – Antigua and Barbuda, French Saint Martin and Saint Kitts and Nevis”.
He continued, “I am really anticipating an exciting championship, but it is going to be difficult to predict at the moment as one expects a high quality of play from the participating teams on centre court”.
