Senior Volleyballers get dethroned

STVINCENT ANDTHE Grenadines Senior Men’s Volleyball outfit was unable to retain the title of champions of the Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) Tournament.

The 2018 winners thus were relegated to fifth place when the 2022 edition was staged at theYMCA Indoor Facility in St John’s Antigua, from July 6 to 10.

The Vincentians were beaten by arch rivals St Lucia 22-25, 25-28, 23-25, 25-18, 13-15 in a competitive five setter. Following flight delays, the St Vincent and the Grenadines arrived directly from the VC Bird International Airport to the venue.

Ten hours later, the Vincentians were called to play their second match versus St Maarten.

The results showed St Vincent and the Grenadines suffering a 1-3 defeat, 22-25, 25-16, 18-25, 17-25.

Later on Thursday, St Vincent and the Grenadines faced Dominica in their third match in less than 24 hours. A 3-0 win; 25-21, 25-17, 25-20, ended the Vincentians’ preliminary round in Pool B.

Because of their failure to advance to the semi- finals, St Vincent and the Grenadines was relegated to play for the fifth place. A show down with the third-place team from Pool A – Bermuda, resulted in a 3-0 win; 25-20, 25-10, 25-20, to end in fifth spot.

Reviewing his team’s final placing, St Vincent and the Grenadines’ captain- Daryl Franklyn summed up: “Placing fifth was not the position we expected, because we were the defending champions, but I see great things in the future for the team, as most are under 25 , so just have to regroup and come back stronger”.

In spite of the final placing, St Vincent and the Grenadines was able to pouch one of the individual awards, as Jahmal Small took the Best Setter accolade.

St Vincent and the Grenadines was represented by Daryl Franklyn ( Captain), Ronaldo Franklyn, Asmond Franklyn, Jad Martin, Shadron Delpesche, Delshun Welcome, Shemor Baynes, Marville Williams, Jahmal Small, Jamaar Cropper and Joshua Ollivierre.

Manager and Head Coach – Eardley Martin and Assistant Coach – Dan Girlneaun.

Antigua and Barbuda won the title, with St Lucia – second, St Maarten- third and Grenada – fourth.

Placing sixth was Bermuda, with St Kitts and Nevis – seventh, Dominica – eighth and Anguilla – ninth.

Next up on the ECVA calendar is the senior men’s and women’s Beach Volleyball championships in St Lucia next month.