Suriname makes winning start to Group M qualifiers

PARAMARIBO,  Suriname, June 15, 2013 - Antoine Verny Vliet was the lone player to score in double-figures as  hosts Suriname swept past Anguilla 3-0 (25-11, 25-13, 25-13) in the opener of the NORCECA Second Round Men’s Group M Tournament of the 2014 FIVB World Volleyball Championship in Poland.

Vliet tallied ten points, inclusive of nine spikes while captain Roberto Frits Joval and Gino Naarden added seven points each, and Keven Sporkslede five, in the victory which was achieved in 57 minutes at the Ismay Van Wilgen Sporthal.

Overall it was dominant effort by Suriname in their tournament opener as they outscored their opponents in all key aspects of the match, 32-22 on spikes, 7-2 on blocks and 8-2 on service aces, while only committing 11 errors to 28 by its rival.

For Anguilla, which was without middle attacker, Staphan Smith due to travel delay, captain Ian Conner  had a team-high nine points, Sherwin Richardson, seven,  Calvin Samuel, five and Darren Webster, four.

Speaking after the loss, Anguillan captain, Connor was quick to admit that his team was too slow in starting while their passing game was also terrible.

Asked why it good the start it did, he replied, “It was not because of fear for the other team, but more so, a lack of confidence.

A pleased, Joval, captain of the Suriname team said he was very satisfied to get the first match out of the way in winning fashion.

“The win will surely boost our confidence level for the other matches to come, but we still have some areas to work on to improve our overall game as well,” ended Joval.

Commenting after the match, Anguilla coach Jason Liburd said the outcome of the match was not what he had hoped for.

“We just were not up to scratch in the match. We did not do a good job on our passing game and, to make it worst, our middle attack has not join the team as yet.

“But overall, I don’t think if he was here it would have made a big difference to us, because we did not pass well at all.

“Offensively when we were able to get in our passes we were able to score, so it tells us that we need to be more consistent in what we do,” stated Liburd.

Jerry Slijngard, coach of Suriname said he was very pleased with the win as it helps build confidence for the rest of the matches.

Despite the win Slijngard said he still thinks he team can improve in certain areas of its play.

He added, “We need to have much more patience at the net and in the back court we need to position ourselves better.”