TT U19s defeat USVI at CAZOVA Championships

SHERDON PIERRE

The TT Boys U19 Volleyball team won their first match of the Caribbean Zonal Volleyball Association (CAZOVA) Championships, today, at the GC Foster College, St Catherine, Jamaica.

TT defeated United States Virgin Islands (USVI) 3-1 (25:19, 20:25, 26:24, 27:25) to clinch their first victory in the last two editions of the tournament.

TT’s Assistant Coach Curtis Burkett said after the victory, “ This game we added most of our tactics together, the guys were fearless in this game and they executed the plan pretty well.

Burkett continued, “It’s a young inexperienced team with first timers on a national team or travelling with a group. But, we turned up for this game. It was a hard fought victory and well-deserved.”

Knowing that a victory can place them in medal contention seemed to have inspired the the Peer Nasseir coached team.

The twin-island team started well when Ruchi Marajh won the first four points of the match with some tricky serves. Unfortunately,The lead was quickly erased as USVI took the lead at 8-7 heading into the first technical timeout.

They game was in the balance at 16-16 then the “TTO Boys” had another 4-point streak that assisted them in clinching the first set at 25:19. TT’s Roberts spanking the venomous winning shot which can be considered the spike of the match.

USVI took advantage of TT’s sluggish start in the second set and rushed away with a 16-4 lead. Despite, TT making a late charge at score the opponents hanged on to eventually win 25-20 and tie the encounter at one apiece

Marajh began the third set in the same fashion as the first by serving four straight points and once again USVI clawed their way back to lead the set straight until 20-16 until the TT Boys dugged deep to forge a comeback set win 26-24 taking a 2-1 lead.

The fourth set was the closest of all the sets with neither team gaining a sizable lead and most of the points were keenly contested with long rallies.

The match came down to the team that can make lesser errors and hold their nerves at the crucial moments. Fortunately, it was TT’s day as they sealed a 27-25 set victory.

TT had commendable performances from Captain Nicholas Williams, Julius Ghouralal, Elijah Best and Kevin Roberts. They will now face the home team Jamaica on Friday at 530pm JA time.