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NORCECA U18 Women’s Continental Championships
Aug 5th - 11th, 2012 | Tijuana - MEXICO
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USVI Avenges Loss to Guadeloupe for 5th Place
July 22, 2012
St. Croix, USVI
by Nigel Simon
For USVI which held a 15-9 block advantage captain Alvaro Delugo was once again his team's top scorer with 13 points while Aseah Thomas got 11, Shimoi Van Holten ten and Brandon Varlack, nine .
Bruno Cotellon led Guadeloupe with 12 points, and Ludovic Saha and Heindrick Perrot added ten apiece.
Speaking after the match, Guadeloupe captain, Manuel Feuillard said it was difficult for his players to get motivated for the match following its loss to Jamaica in the quarterfinals on Thursday night. "We know USVI from our first match and knew what to expect but our game was not consistent enough tonight to get the win.”
Alvaro Delugo, captain of USVI said it was glad to finally get a win after losing three previous matches. "The match was very up and down from both teams but in the end we had enough energy to come out on top in the fifth set.”
Olivier Ismael, coach of Guadeloupe said he was greatly disappointed with his team's performance. "Our volleyball was not consistent today and while we managed to extend the match to five sets, we made too many mistakes in the end to get the win.”
An elated Mark Daniel, coach of the host said it was good to finally get a win although his team, started off badly. "We fluctuated our level of play throughout the match, but overall it was good competition for us to see where we are as a team and now we will look forward to the World Championship qualifiers in November."
Barbados Overcomes Guadeloupe in Women CVC Opener
July 25, 2012
St. Croix, USVI
by Nigel Simon
The Barbadians, previous winners in 1993, 1994, 1995, 1998, 2000 and 2002, and featuring the experienced trio of Julia Lewis, Anica Woods and Shari Matthews recovered from losing the first set to secure a 16-25, 25-18, 28-26, 25-17 in one hour 28 minutes. Matthews ended with 20 points and Lewis added 15 for the Bajans who held a 9-6 edge on serves but were out blocked 5-10.
For Guadeloupe, captain Isabelle Acina had a team-high 19 points and Meliza Bernard-Fayolle, 11. Speaking after the match, Acina said it was the first match at this level for her team since 2006 and to win the opening set and have a chance in the others was a positive sign for her team. Thonya Joseph, captain of Barbados said, "We started of a little bit slow and gave away a many points on bad serves. But overall we have to be satisfied as team especially with the way we came back after losing the first set and then in the other sets when the points were close. We kept our poised and used our experience.”
Jean-Louis Delag, coach of the Guadeloupe echoed the views of his captain saying it was his team's first match at this level for quite some time and he saw many good things from his players. "When you are not playing at this level as often as the other teams you will make mistakes, but at the same time Barbados did well. For us the tournament is not over and we will work harder in our next match.” Andrew Brathwaite, coach of the Barbados team said, "Guadeloupe was a good opponent for us in our first match. They made us work for the victory as they surprised us early on and forced us into making errors. "We were also a bit too slow today but credit to my girls as they worked hard for the victory. First games in tournaments are normally difficult and we are happy to have that out of the way with victory and will work on improving as the competition goes on.”
In the night's other match, host USVI came up against Bahamas, two-time champions. Reigning three-time champions, T&T serves of its defense and quest for a fourth title overall on Wednesday against Guadeloupe in Group A from 8pm, while Jamaica also gets its first taste of competition in Group B versus Bahamas, two hours earlier.
Thursday, the round-robin phase of the competition will conclude with T&T meeting Barbados from 6pm and USVI against Jamaica two hours later.
At the end of the round-robin series the top team in each group will qualify automatically for the semifinals carded for Saturday while the second and third placed teams will play in cross-over quarterfinals on Friday to determine the two other semifinalists. The finals and third placed play are carded for Sunday July 29th.
Bahamas Ends T&T’s Volleyball Reign
July 22, 2012
St. Croix, USVI
by Nigel Simon
Wilson who was also voted as the tournament's "Best Spiker" and "Best Server" tallied 28 points while Ronaldo Knowles got 19 and Byron Ferguson 18 for the Bahamians in their 25-20, 25-18, 22-25, 20-25, 15-13 triumph to secure their first ever senior men's Caribbean. For T&T, Marc-Anthony Honore led with 23 points, captain Nolan Tash had 18 and Ryan Stewart 14.
Commenting after the match a sombre looking Tash first congratulated first time winners Bahamas on their achievement. "They are worthy champions as much as the loss may bring disappointment to me and my team-mates. We have toiled to reach the NORCECA level over the years and now Bahamas as a team will have that chance to represent and I am sure they will do themselves proud. Tonight we did not pass the ball very well while on the other hand Bahamas served well tactically. As a team we now have to go back to the drawing board and correct our faults and come back stronger as a unit. I wish Wilson and his team-mates all the best going forward.”
An elated Wilson said his team had the utmost respect for T&T but had a plan to jump on them early in the match which worked. "They showed the heart of a champion by coming from two sets down to force a fifth set but in the end we are just grateful to have the win. It very similar to what happened in 2010 in our semifinal meeting in that they won the first two sets before coming back and then winning the fifth set. It's my first time winning a medal at the CVC level and also my first time claiming the gold medal and we intend to enjoy it as a team.”
Gideon Dickson, T&T's coach also praised Bahamas on their win saying their efforts throughout the tournament was great and they accomplished their objective. "Bahamas was more consistent as a team and in a match a fifth set can go either side. As a team coming here we wanted to defend our title but we fell one match short and as a team we have a few lessons to learn. Credit to my players as well because we played with heart of champions to come from 0-2 down and extend the match to five sets.”
Devince Smith, the coach of the victorious Bahamian team said his team played a good match and even when it reached the fifth set he told his guys to remain focus. Smith was also high in praise for T&T which showed it qualities as champions coming back from 2-0 down to extend the match to five sets. "Its been 22 years since we had waited for a win over Barbados in the CVC competition and now we have beaten T&T to win the title for the first time so credit to my players and we will continue to work to get to the next level.”
Individual Awards:
Best Scorer: Shawn Simpson (Barbardos)
Best Blocker: Byron Ferguson (Bahamas)
Best Setter: Saleem Ali (T&T)
Best Receiver: Yoann Breleur (Martinique)
Best Libero: Ryan Mahadeo (T&T)
Best Spiker: Prince'tanique Wilson (Bahamas)
Best Server: Prince'tanique Wilson (Bahamas)
Best Digger: Ryan Mahadeo (T&T)
Most Valuable Player: Prince'tanique Wilson (Bahamas)
Calypso Spikers Whip Guadeloupe
July 25, 2012
St. Croix, USVI
by Nigel Simon
For Guadeloupe which was coming off a four-set loss to six-time champions Barbados in its opener on Tuesday, captain Isabelle Acina had a team-high seven points. Commenting after the match Acina said her team's objective was to be competitive and play as hard as it could. "We knew going into the match that T&T was the better team, and for us we wanted to fight as hard as we could because each points count. As a team we are happy how we played and to have had the opportunity to play against a team like T&T.”
Esdelle, captain of the T&T team credited Guadeloupe for its courageous display and the way they played with a smile. "On the other hand, our aim to take it match by match as its comes. So we have to remain focus and keep improving as a team."
Jean-Louis Delag, coach of Guadeloupe commended T&T for its great performance and said his team played as best as it could. "I really like the way T&T play, their play the modern game while my team is still in the learning stages and we will continue work hard to improve for the future."
Francisco Cruz, " I Like the players of Guadeloupe because they fight for every point. For me it was a chance to give other players a chance to perform because some of the girls came here carrying injuries from the Pan American Cup. The palyers that came in tonight did well and for the victory I am satisfied and we will continue to work for the rest of the tournament.”
CAZOVA President Shares His Views
July 28th, 2012
St. Croix, USVI
by Kerish Maharaj
Mr. Mohammed, are you pleased with the level of organisation of the 14th CVC in the Virgin Islands? If so how?
“USVI has done a great effort to host the CAZOVA events this year. They host Youth men and women, Junior women, World championships qualification for women and now men and women CVC. This is a an achievement. We must give Mrs. Hobson and her team congratulation for stepping forward and hosting all these events.”
Are you pleased with the level of play of both Male and Female participating teams of the 14th CVC?
“The men tournament was very competitive. We had most of the games going 5 sets and very few 3 sets games. This means that the gap is closing and there is no obvious winner. In the female tournament, we only have six teams and that is a concern. Most teams have had difficulties with funding which resulted with the less number of registration. We are see improvement and the support given throughout the development plan will bear fruits in the near future.”
What would be you challenge to the CVC Men 1st, 2nd and 3rd place teams?
“All the high level teams must ensure that there is a development programme. We must have youth and junior programmes to ensure that the development continues. So my challenge to them is to ensure that the sport grows in their respective countries and ensure there are youth development programs.”
What are your predictions for the upcoming Olympic Games for London 2012?
“This is hard to predict. If we look at the World League and the Grad Prix which was recently concluded, Poland won the world league and is doing well and USA in the women is consistent. However, Brazil can be the favorite in the men and USA for the women.”
Calypso Spikers Make It 4 in a Row - Esdelle Voted as “MVP”
July 30th, 2012
St. Croix, USVI
by Nigel Simon
The title was also the fourth straight for T&T' Cuban-born coach Francisco "Panchee" Cruz, who took over the team in 2006. T&T's first senior team triumph came in 1996 in USVI and is now within one of equalling the Barbadians, six triumphs. Speaking after the match, Esdelle said even though the opponents throughout the tournament considered by many as weak her team had to remain on the job at hand. "Barbados and T&T over the years have fought many tough battles so we knew the match was going to be tough and we prepared for that, stuck to our game plan and came out on top in the end.”
Thonya Joseph, captain of the Barbados team and six-time winners first congratulated T&T. "For me T&T has the best team in the Caribbean, they are excellent athletes and great opponents. On the other-hand, we fell short on our service receive and while we went into the match with our own tactics, it seemed as though T&T had an answer for everything." Joseph noted that despite the loss, Barbados had a lot to be happy about and will go back to training and prepare harding for its World Championship Qualifying Tournament later this year.
Andrew Brathwaite, the Barbadian coach also congratulated T&T on its victory saying they are undoubtedly the best team in the Caribbean. “We planned well for this match, but T&T did a great job in countering what we had to offer. They were far more aggressive and had an answer for every thing we tried. Our team was also a little too weak on attack, but I am proud of my girls because they fought well against a good team.”
Francisco Cruz, T&T's coach commended Barbados on a well played tournament and good match. However, Cruz was very critical of the tournament saying in order for CAZOVA to move forward things had to be done differently with regards to rules and administrative work. "When players go the higher level their is no problems with some rules but when we participate in CAZOVA their are different rules. We must adapt to the rules of international world volleyball and not confuse the players.” He added, "Everywhere you go you will here the Caribbean have the best natural athletes for the sport of volleyball but the mentality of the associations and persons in charge makes it difficult for the players to develop.”
Earlier on, in the third placed match, USVI won 25-20, 25-21, 25-23 over Jamaica in 74 minutes to pick up a first ever medal to the delight of their home supporters led by Valissia Brathwaite tallied 14 points and 13 from captain Sacha Gumbs. For Jamaica captain Shedelky Hamilton-Barnes had 15 and Lecia Brown, ten in the loss.
On Saturday night, in the semifinals, Esdelle led from the front with 14 points in her team's 25-16, 25-23, 25-24 79 minutes win over host US Virgin Islands. In addition to Esdelle, Kelly-Anne Billingy chipped in with nine points, and Sinead Jack and Channon Thompson, eight points each for the winners who dominated on blocks and service aces, 10-5 and 15-5 respectively. Valissia Brathwaite had a team-high six, while Janelle Sarauw and Sacha Gumbs got five each.
Barbados defeated Jamaica, also in straight sets in its semifinal, 25-17, 25-20, 25-15 in 70 minutes led by the experienced duo of Shari Matthews and Anica Wood with 17 and ten points respectively.
For the Jamaicans, who held an 8-7 edge on blocks but were outscored 3-10 on service Aces, Lecia Brown had eight points, Tracy-Ann Findlay got seven and Shedelky Hamilton-Barnes and Makini Thompson, six points each.
Individual Awards:
Best Server: Valissia Brathwaite (USVI)
Best Spiker: Shari Matthews (Barbados)
Best Blocker: Meliza Bernard-Fayolle (Guadeloupe)
Best Server: Valissia Brathwaite (USVI)
Best Digger: Laval Sands (Bahamas)
Best Setter: Melissa Simmonds (USVI)
Best Receiver: Severine Jean-Alpjonse (Guadeloupe)
Best Libero: Severine Jean-Alpjonse (Guadeloupe)
Most Valuable Player: Krystle Esdelle (T&T)
Puerto Rico beat Trinidad and Tobago 3-0 at the U18 Continental Championship
August 6th, 2012
Tijuana, Mexico
Julymar Otero and Nanishka Pérez, scored 11 and 10 points respectively for Puerto Rico. They also registered 6 aces apiece.
Despite the loss, the Trinidadian captain, Reann Young felt glad about this first International experience. “It was good to be in this first game in a great facility and with great fans,” said Young who finished with 2 points.
“We had a good match today and I feel glad for this victory the first one for us as a young team”, stated Wilmarie Rivera from Puerto Rico.
Trinidad and Tobago had their Preliminary Inquiry on monday morning after delay in a conecting flight. The Caribbean team had time to step on the court under the direction of Ali Macsood.
“Is my second time in Tijuana coming as a coach, but now with a younger team and a group of U16 girls, but I think this will be a great experience to achieve,” said Macsood.
Puerto Rican coach Victor Vazquez remarked “We know it is tough for Trinidad and Tobago to arrive today and start playing without enough time, and we expect to go on with our goal to qualify to the world championship”.
NORCECA U18 Women’s Continental Championship Officially Inaugurated
August 6th, 2012
Tijuana, Mexico
The official declaration at the opening ceremony was made by Baja California Sports and Physical Culture Institute Sports Development Director (INDE), Cesar Osuna Brambila on behalf of the local organising committee and INDE’s General Director, Saul Castro Verdugo. Also, on behalf of the Mayor of Tijuana, Carlos Bustamante Anchondo, the Municipal Sports Director, Daniel Corona, welcomed the attendants and the competing teams.
Along with the parade, the Athlete’s oath by Mexico’s captain, Ivonne Martínez, and the Referees Oath by Maria del Carmen Durán of Mexico, the opening ceremony also had a traditional Mexican Dance performance. The performance was made by the Xochipilli Folk Ballet as part of the cultural activities that celebrated the return of the International volleyball competitions in Baja California.
A summary of the matches and activities for the first day are below:
Tijuana celebrate volleyball one more time
The Norceca U18 Women’s Continental Championship was officially inaugurated this monday night at the Baja California High Performance Center. Along with the parade, the Athlete’s oath by Mexico’s captain, Ivonne Martínez, and the Referees Oath by Maria del Carmen Durán of Mexico, the opening ceremony also had a traditional Mexican Dance performance by the Xochipilli Folk Ballet.
USA start with a victory over Costa Rica
The United States started their participation at the Norceca Women’s U18 Continental Championship against Costa Rica in straight sets (25-15, 25-11, 25-10). Carli Snyder and Courtney Schwan scored 12 and 11 points respectively for USA. Schwan also finished with seven aces while Costa Rican captain Angie Montero Alfaro registered 5.
Puerto Rico beat Trinidad & Tobago
Puerto Rico defeated Trinidad and Tobago 3-0 (25-7, 25-7, 25-8) to clinch their first victory in Pool B.Julymar Otero and Nanishka Pérez, scored 11 and 10 points respectively for Puerto Rico. They also registered 6 aces apiece. Trinidadian captain, Reann Young finished with 2 points for her team that had their Preliminary Inquiry on monday morning after delay in a conecting flight.
México opens with a victory over Guatemala
México won against Guatemala in straight sets (25-13, 25-9, 25-12). Fernanda Bañuelosa and Diana Valdez scored 10 points apiece, while captain Ivonne Martínez recorded four aces. For Guatemala, the top scorer was Estefania Bethancourth, with 6 points.
T&T Volleyballers to face Mexico in NORCECA U18 Women’s Continental Championship
August 9th, 2012
Tijuana, Mexico
by Nigel Simon
Dominican Republic captain Natalia Martinez led the scoring with 16 points while Brayelin Martinez and Jineiry Martínez (seven aces), finished with 12 apiece. For T&T, captain Reann Young, Maya Roberts, Tya Jane Remy and Kaylon Cruikshank, registered two points each while Elena Neale and Zahra Collins had one apiece. Today’s first quarterfinal from 6 pm will feature the loser of the Puerto Rico/Dominican Republic clash versus Pool A third place finisher, Costa Rica or Guatemala.
Also on Tuesday night, USA clinched its second victory by beating Guatemala 25-6, 25-5, 25-12 while Mexico also won for the second time, blasting Costa Rica 25-15, 25-11, 25-10.
T&T Lose to Mexico in NORCECA U18 Women’s Continental Championship
August 9th, 2012
Tijuana, Mexico
“We worked a little bit with the girls in the mental aspects after everything that happened in the match against USA,” said Mexico’s coach Estanislao Vachino. “We have to make them understand that this tournament has two chances. We are now in the semifinals, and everything what happened is in the past. We are in a new tournament, a two matches competition”.
Mexican captain Ivonne Martinez, stated: “We followed our coach instructions. We closed the match very well, and this helped us for tomorrow . We will have our big match and the most important one, we hope things go right.”
Trinidad and Tobago captain Reann Young mentioned that “we faced a tough opponent. We tried to work on the attack and everything we could against them, who were local favorite, but their is still one more match.”
Trinidadian coach Ali Macsood remarked: “Mexico is a very strong team, we expected a tough match. Tomorrow we will face Guatemala, a very good skilled team. My players were inconsistent but hopefully we expect a good match and we are excited to face them”.
The Semifinals will take place at the Norceca Women’s U18 Continental Championship. Puerto Rico will match the United States, while Mexico will face Dominican Republic. Guatemala and Trinidad and Tobago will play for places 5th and 6th, while Costa Rica finished seventh.
USA Claim Gold in NORCECA U18 Women’s Continental Championship
August 11th, 2012
Tijuana, Mexico
Simone Lee totalized 18 points for the American team while Carli Snyder, who became the MVP registered 17. Christian Jones was the champion team best scorer with 10 points.
On the Dominican side Brayelin Martínez, who claimed honors as best scorer finished with 24 points, while Gaila Ceneida González concluded with 12 and Natalia Martínez, team’s captain ended with 11.
Both teams qualified to the FIVB Women’s U18 World Championship that will be played next year in Thailand.
“Dominican Republic played very well is a very good team, well coached and fought really hard,” said Team USA coach Reed Sunahara. “I’m very proud of my team. We never gave up. We lost the first set but we fought. Our defense played better that was the key.”
Sunahara won his second tournament in one month after winning the XI Women’s Pan American Cup in Juarez, Mexico, with the American B Team. Now he won the gold medal at the Continental Championship with the U18 Unit that also clinched a berth in the FIVB World Championship that will be played in Thailand.
Dominican Republic coach, Ariel Sainz, said that despite the loss will work hard with his team in preparation to the World Championship. “We’ll keep on working to improve all the difficulties we experienced here. The third set was very important. We were so close. USA did a great job and didn’t make mistakes,” he remarked.
USA Dominate Trinidad and Tobago in NORCECA Junior Women Continental Championships
August 21st, 2012
Managua, Nicaragua
The Americans defeated CAZOVA champions with a tactical structure confirming their intentions to qualify for the FIVB 2013 World Championship.
Kadie Rolfzen was the best scorer for USA with 15 points, 3 of them aces and one in blocking. Makila York topped Trinidad & Tobago with 4 points.
USA’s captain, Kelsey Humphreys commented: “Our goal for this match was to keep our energy high and to keep focused in our performance, it was a team effort”. Her comments about their next opponent Cuba were: “Hopefully we can build up from this match.”
Makila York captain of Trinidad & Tobago said: “We had some difficulties in our passing and things didn’t go our way; we had some highs during the match and we’ll practice on them so they can be more frequent.”
Winning Coach Rodney Wilde said: “I felt it was important that all the players had the chance to play today, they haven’t done it together internationally. We haven’t seen Cuba yet so we don’t know what we’ll be facing.”
“First of all I want to say that we find ourselves in a very tough group” began saying Coach Ali Macsood. “I said to my girls that even with a miracle it’s impossible to beat USA and Cuba, so we’ll try our best and reach 15 points which didn’t happen today because our passing broke down as they have a very tactical team, I wish all the best for USA in this tournament.”
Cuba down Trinidad and Tobago
August 22nd, 2012
Managua, Nicaragua
The Cuban squad had a solid performance but was not challenged by Trinidad & Tobago who now have a 0-2 win-loss record. Cuba was superior in serves by 12-1. Tomorrow’s stellar match features Cuba against USA for the top place in Pool C
The stats of Cuba show Sulian Matienzo as the best scorer with 11 points.
Matienzo, the captain of Cuba expressed: “The team played united because this was a preparation match to face USA tomorrow to finish in first place”.
“Today we did a much bigger effort on our pass and we worked harder; as the tournament progresses we will do better,” Makil York of Trinidad & Tobago said.
Wilfredo Robinson, the Cuban Coach recognized today his team did have to do a big effort.
“For some of our young players this is their first international experience,” he said while also congratulating Trinidad & Tobago because every year they improve a little bit more.
“We’ve only been practicing intensely for a month and we know we must work in our serves to face USA.”
“Like I said before we set ourselves a target to reach 15 points and today we didn’t make it either, so even though the effort today was a lot better than yesterday, I think it’s because we have no experience which needs to be gained and maybe one day we can be as powerful as Cuba,” indicated Ali Macsood.
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