Antigua & Barbuda cruises over St. Vincent to top Group A

ST JOHNS, Antigua, December 5, 2014- Antigua & Barbuda experienced very little difficulty during a straight set victory (25-18, 25-12 and 25-16) over St. Vincent and the Grenadines in match #6 of the East Caribbean Volleyball Association Senior Men Championship.

Youthful vigor was no match for the more experienced home team who were once again spurred on by the home crowd.

In the end there was a huge disparity in scoring departments of Spiking and Blocking. Antigua & Barbuda led 32-12 in spikes and 10 to 3 in blocks.  Three service aces from Cassius Franklyn and 1 from Brendon Smart gave team St. Vincent the slight edge in the serving department 4-2.

Outside hitter Jamarie James of Antigua& Barbuda led all scorers with 12 points made up of 10 spikes, 1 service ace and 1 block. His support came from Middle Blocker Xavier Roberts with 11 points (7 blocks) and Opposite Thomas Collin with 10 points all of which came from spikes. No one from Team St. Vincent and the Grenadines was able to get into double figures. Captain Cassius Franklyn who plays as an Outside Hitter mustered 7 points from 3 spikes, 3 aces and a block.

“Our jump serve was off tonight but our float serve was on the mark. We were also able to pass well and most definitely our blocking was a big advantage tonight”, said Fitzroy Benjamin Coach of the Antigua & Barbuda team.

His Captain – Xavier Roberts agreed with his coach’s summation. “Once we got our passing going it allowed middles to run some more, this meant that our outside hitters often ended up with just one blocker and we were able to capitalize on that”, he recounted.

Brian Burke coach of St. Vincent and the Grenadines took the defeat in stride. We have a good bunch of guys to work with and I am happy that they are able to take away some learning nuggets. Our duty here is to demonstrate that we are learning and improve on every last performance”, he said.

The competition continues on day 3 with the commencement of the knock out stages. Dominica takes on St. Vincent and the Grenadines while the two St. Maarteners clash. The winners will then join Antigua & Barbuda and St. Lucia in the semifinals.