Shannon Thompson leads TTO to CAZOVA title

ST. CROIX, Virgin Islands, April 11, 2012 – MVP Shannon Thompson scored a tournament-high 30 points and Samantha Prescott added 11 helping Trinidad and Tobago to a four-set victory 817-25, 25-12, 25-4, 25-19) over hosts U.S,. Virgin Islands in the gold medal match of CAZOVA Women’s Junior Championship on Thursday.

Thompson also took home the awards as best scorer, best spiker and best server of the competition.

Trinidad’s Head Coach Macsood Ali said he had predicted his team would win the championship because his blocks were strong and tall. He credited Thompson and Captain Prescott for their strong attacks to put his team on top.

USVI’s Head Coach Sacha Gumbs said: “Trinidad was a strong team. I congratulate them on their win.”

In the bronze medal match, Curacao pulled off an impressive win over Haiti in a four-set match (21-25, 25-12, 25-18, 25-19).

Curacao Captain Rayanalies Allee though her team play very good. “Our goal was to win the championship but we are very happy that we winning third,” Allee said.

Haiti Captain Sthefara Marie Bellot appreciated the experience in their first Caribbean championships. “It will help us develop our game,” Bellot said.

Individual awards: MVP: Shannon Thompson (TRI). Best Scorer: Shannon Thompson (TRI). Best Spiker: Shannon Thompson (TRI). Best Blocker: Adrainne Bynoe (BAR). Best Server: Shannon Thompson (TRI). Best Setter: Rayanaliers Allee (CUR). Best Receiver: Rujeainys Thode (CUR). Best Digger: Marian Offerman (BON). Best Libero: Vanessa Macenna (HAI).