T & T are the new queens of the Caribbean

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, September 12, 2006.- Trinidad & Tobago won the women’s CAZOVA title for the first time in ten years prevailing against favorite Barbados in well fought five-setter that finished 25-17, 25-12, 22-25, 23-25, 15-12 in Bahamas.

Kelly Billingy, the United States based star player for T & T, was spectacular in the gold medal match scoring 23 points while Rheeza Grant, the most consistent attacker during the one-week event, added 16 points and Karen Moses contributed five blocks.

Billingy, who was nursing an injury but recovered on time to produce her decisive performance, stated after the final:

"Barbados had been a tough champion. We've been trying for years to beat them and we finally did it. It was a job well done. It just feels great to be champions."

T&T's men were favoured to beat Barbados in the men's gold medal match after shocking them in competition for the first time in over a decade last month in the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games in Colombia.

But class and experience take precedence over form in big matches and the defending champs prevailed 25-22, 25-23, 25-23 over the first-time finalists to capture an astounding ninth crown from ten attempts.