St Vincent and the Grenadines secure bronze over British Virgin Islands

LA CLERY, St Lucia, August 14, 2016:  St Vincent and the Grenadines took the bronze medal by dispensing of the British Virgin Islands 3-0 (25-9, 25-18, 25-22)  in the inaugural Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) Under-23 women’s Tournament, Sunday evening at the Vide Boutielle Secondary School’s court.

Opposite- Alicia Glasgow was St Vincent and the Grenadines’ top scorer for the third successive time, as she tallied 16 points and Shernell Browne- Outside Hitter, registered 10 points.  Shoniqua Fahie, an Outside Hitter was the British Virgin Islands lead scorer with 6 points.

St Vincent and the Grenadines led in spikes, 21-14, while topping in service aces 18-5.

Taking the consolation award was not the plan for St Vincent and the Grenadines’ coach – Nikita Campbell, but was contented with the bronze.

“Although we continue to have issues with the defensive side of our plan, the players did well in the circumstances as some were playing in their first tournament”, Campbell related.

“ Again it was a young team with most of them 16, 17 and 18 years of age, but they have learnt from taking part in this ... It is for them now to continue to practice harder and more consistently so they can improve on their defensive part of their game as well as their passing”, Campbell said.

Meanwhile, head coach of the British Virgin Islands, Stephen Payne agreed that the tournament was a good gauge of what is needed in their territory to become more competitive.

“What this tournament has taught us is that our development programme back home must be more sustained, instead of just preparing for tournaments” Payne admitted.

Payne believes that his players should be better served from their participation in the tournament and once they stay with the sport would improve in all facets.

St Vincent and the Grenadines finished the tournament with a 2-2 win/loss ratio, while the British Virgin Islands was winless from their four matches.