BVI Olympic Sports

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – The Men’s and Women’s teams had a weekend of mixed fortunes as 32 teams took part in the zonal phase of the ECVA Beach Volleyball Olympic qualification tournament, held at the Jolly Beach Resort in Antigua.

DAY 1

The highly regarded St .Lucia male team exercised their power as they beat the British Virgin Islands in a relatively easy manner.  In the first game St. Luca (A) easily defeated the British Virgin Islands (A) with a score of 21-9 and 21-11. St. Lucia (B) displayed similar tactics as their fellow countrymen, as they secured a victory against the second British Virgin Islands (B) squad.

Although St. Lucia won the BVI provided strong resistance throughout the match before going down 21-14 and 21-13. The BVI got some revenge when they defeated the seemingly error less St.Lucians with a stunning 13-21, 21-19 and 15-13 victory.

Meanwhile, Grenada displayed good beach volleyball techniques as their ladies dominated their British Virgin Islands opponents. The Grenada (A) ladies defeated the British Virgin Islands (BVI) (A) with a score line of 21-13 and 22-20. The dominance continued as Grenada team (B) continued plundering the BVI (B) with stingy defense and good aggression.  The score line for that match was 21- 15 and 21-10.

The second meeting of the women Grenada (A) and the BVI (B) was a repeat of earlier events.  Grenada (A) narrowly defeated their opponents by a score of 21-19 and 21-19.  As lady luck would have it the exact same score line occurred when Grenada (B) played BVI (B) – the result was 21-19 and 21-19.

DAY 2

In the first set of male matches Grenada (A) and the BVI (B) were paired against each other in the men’s division. The highly motivated Grenadians toiled against their opponents.  In the end, their efforts were successful as they defeated the BVI (B) with a score line of 21-17 and 21-12.  In the second meeting of both countries, the British Virgin Islands (A) sought revenge for their fellow countrymen.  Their focus efforts resulted in a sweet victory over Grenada (B) with a score line of 21- 18 and 21-11.

In women’s action, the BVI women (B) went down to Anguilla (A) after an epic tough battle.  After losing the first set Anguilla (A) woke up and fought to win sets two to one.  The scores for the game were 13-21, 21-14, 17-15. In the other game between the two countries, Anguilla (B) showed a lot of tenacity towards their BVI (A) opponents.

Though the BVI team won by a score of 21-16 and 21-14, the game was much closer as both teams earned the admiration of the crowds with spectacular and defying dives.

With Anguilla and the BVI in a dead heat, a”Golden set” was played to determine who would advance to the next round.  The Anguillan girls, seemly improving with each game, came out 15-9 winners despite stern resistance from the British Virgin Islands.

In the other ‘Golden set” game the BVI and Grenada fought for the right to go to the next round.  Both teams were evenly poised in the early phase of the set; however Grenada held their nerve to win the game 15-12.

The Women’s team comprised: Errica Frederick, Tyalia Nibbs, Tamisha Georges and Amondara Crease.

The Men’s team included: Akeem Richardson, Clyde Potter, Drexel Glasgow and Canice Marquis.

St. Kitts and Nevis’ women finished as the top ranked country in the female competition followed by St. Lucia, Dominica and Antigua and Barbuda who also qualified to the next stage of the NORCECA competition towards the 2012 London Olympic Games.