Source: BVI Tennis Association
Colesha Corea, Kaleik Ross and Zoe Richards represented the territory at the 6th annual Caribbean 12 & Under Junior Invitational Tennis Tournament hosted by the at the National Tennis Center in Campsite, St. Johns, Antigua from May 4-8, 2018. Photo: BVITA Face Book
Within the eight months of recovery from Hurricanes Irma and Maria, the Virgin Islands’ junior tennis players’ performances at regional tournaments have been inspirational.
Three of the BVI Tennis Association’s juniors recently competed in the 6th annual Caribbean 12 & Under Junior Invitational Tennis Tournament hosted by the National Tennis Center in Campsite, St. Johns, Antigua.
Colesha Corea, Kaleik Ross and Zoe Richards represented the territory from May 4-8, 2018 at the Eastern Caribbean tournament which saw 35 young players from 7 countries represented to include BVI, St Lucia, St Vincent, France, Trinidad & Tobago, USA, and host country Antigua & Barbuda.
On day one of the tournament, Team BVI played five matches securing two wins and losing three. Zara Ghuran of Trinidad & Tobago defeated Zoe Richards 4-0, 4-4, Kaleik Ross defeated Youri Rassat of St.Baths (France) 4-0, 4-1, Camille Rondy of St.Baths (France) defeated Colesha Corea 4-0, 4-1, Zoe Richards defeated Sydney Kentish of Antigua, 4-1, 4-2, James Haden of Trinidad defeated Kaleik Ross 4-2, 4-2.
Round Robin matches followed the next day. Of the pool of 18 girls Zoe placed 10th, advancing to the main draw and Colesha placed 16th but did not make the main draw.
Kaleik placed 12th out of 17 boys. His results were not enough to advance him to the main draw.
In the Consolation First Round Colesha Corea defeated Mahkya Suffren of St. Lucia 3-4, 4-0 (10-6), Kaleik Ross defeated Clement Peuchot of St.Baths (France) 2-4, 4-2 (10-5) and Colesha & Zoe won their doubles match defeating the St. Lucia #2 team, 4-0,4-2..
In the Main Draw, Ariel Kelsick of Antigua defeated Zoe Richards 4-1, 4-2.
Jaiden Julien of Antigua won the Boys’ Championship with Jace Quashie from Tobago taking the title of Boys’ Finalist
Brasha Dyer of Antigua won the title of Girls’ Champion with Ariel Kelsick also of Antigua coming in second as the Girls’ Finalist.
VI represented in Barbados
Competing from March 31 – April 5 in the 2018 C. O. Williams COTECC U14s International Junior Tennis Tournament in Barbados, Deandrea Baijnauth played successful Round Robin Matches defeating Bajan players, Neil King (4-0,4-0)
and Christian Goddard (4-1,4-1) to qualify for the Main Draw. Deandrea was ultimately defeated by Christian Gill of Barbados 6-3, 7-5.
All four promising juniors have signed up to attend the Celsius Tennis Academy in Sarasota, Florida (August 6-10, 2018).
The BVI Tennis Association extends appreciation for support to the BVI Olympic Committee, BioSafe Treatment, the BVITA tennis coaches, Celsius Tennis Academy, Guana Fund, Hon. Mark Vanterpool and several parents / guardian including Mr. & Mrs. Baijnauth, Mr. & Mrs. Corea, Ms. Pat George and Mr & Mrs. Richards.
