Source: VINO

The Virgin Islands’ (VI) Men’s Volleyball Team returned home with a bronze medal from the first round of the Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA), Zonal World Championship Qualification Tournament staged August 25 – 28 in Marigot, St Martin.

With only three teams participating, French St Martin, Dutch St Maarten and the VI, there was little margin for error and so it proved for the VI, who made too many unforced errors in both their games and suffered heavy defeats. The losses meant that, despite the bronze medal, the team failed to progress into the second round.

In their first game, the VI lost in straight sets to St Maarten, 25 – 14; 25- 15; 25- 15.

St Maarten jumped out to an early lead and applied constant pressure throughout the game to keep their opponents at bay.

Though highly experienced, the Virgin Islands made too many unforced errors, which were the leading cause of their demise. Despite this, the team showed they have the ability to score points and hold defense. Outside hitter, Canise Marquis was the lead scorer with nine (9) points.

Captain Frandie Martin felt his team could have played better but a plethora of fundamental errors caused them to lose their shape and game plan. Coach Stephen Payne felt his team should have done better, as they did not show their true abilities. The team must adapt to the warmer conditions, he concluded.

In the final game, French St Martin steam rolled the VI with a score of 25 – 19; 25 – 16; 25 – 13.

The VI battled hard for every point, giving a good account of themselves, but could find no way to overcome the tenacious French, who were buoyed from beating their arch rivals, the Dutch, earlier in the competition.

Although suffering with some injuries, the VI showed improvement in every department with more consistent passing, better sets and more effective hits.

Canice Marquis was the team leading scorer, producing five points.

Coach Payne indicated he was happy to see the improvement in his players over the course of the two matches and that with more practice they will do better.

The full squad included Travis Jack, Miquel Martin, Frandie Martin, Craig Glasgow, Andre Pickering, Canice Marquis, Clyde Potter and Kenny Lewis.

With a berth in round two of the FIVB World Cup qualifiers at stake, Dutch St Maarten defeated French St Martin in the final game with a score of 25-13, 22-25, 22-25, 26-24, 15-10, to progress.