Stapleton, Phillip lead from the front in U-18 openers

TACARIGUA, TRINIDAD, December 5, 2013 -  Andriy Stapleton of Barbados and T&T’s Marlon Phillip showed their leadership qualities as they led their respective teams to contrasting wins on the opening day of competition in the 2013 Caribbean Zonal Volleyball Association (CAZOVA) Boys Youth (Under-18) Championship at the Eastern Regional Indoor Sports Arena.

In the tournament’s opener, Stapleton, a key member of the Barbados team which won the Under-20 crown in Guadeloupe a few months ago tallied 14 points, inclusive of nine kills and five service aces in his team’s 25-10, 25-14, 25-18 victory over Jamaica.

Carlos Cyrus chipped in with nine points (five kills, three aces and one block) while Adam Niles added six and Ahkeem Mayers, four.

Overall, it was a dominant showing by the John Stuart-coached Barbadians who outscored their opponents on spikes 22-8, and aces 18-3 while having a less of an impact on blocks, 2-5 in the 61 minute contest.

Jamaica, meanwhile got seven points from its captain, Nanjing Youth Olympic Games beach volleyball qualifier, Rojey Hutchinson while Shamar Daye and Mark Blake added three apiece.

The Jamaicans who looked very nervous in their first outing, were also undone by their errors, 33 to Barbados’ 26.

T&T’s Phillip took a page out of the books of the Barbadian captain as he registered an astonishing 36 points, boosted by 32 kills and four aces to rally his team to a come-from-behind triumph over defending champions, US Virgin Islands, 21-25, 23-25, 25-14, 25-18, 15-12 in one hour, 58 minutes.

Nathaniel Noreiga was the other main contributor for T&T with eight points while Cameron Cordner got four aces.

USVI, meanwhile, which only arrived in T&T on Thursday night ahead of their match on Friday morning was led by Senyah Benjamin’ 12 points and five from De-Andre Simmons.