SVG U-18 male volleyballers lift ECVA title

St. Vincent and the Grenadines is the 2011 male under -18 Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association(ECVA) champions.{{more}}

The team returned home last Wednesday night, with several trophies under their belts.

The Vincentians played unbeaten in the competition, which was held in Anguilla from July 10 to 13, to lift the title for the first time.

In the preliminary round, the Vincentians breezed past St. Eustasius 3-0, with score of 25-15, 25-16 and 25-22.

Against once sub-regional power house and 2010 champions St. Lucia, the Vincentian lads won 3-1, with scores of 25-18, 17-25, 25-22 and 25-21, to end their reign.

The Vincentians finished top of their group, after completing a 3-0 win at the expense of Bermuda, 25-10, 25-20 and 26-24.

Playing against Antigua and Barbuda in the semi-finals, St. Vincent and the Grenadines was tested but triumphed 3-2, coming from two sets down.

The Antiguans were out of the blocks early, winning 25-23 and 25-21; however, the Vincentians dug deep to record three straight sets wins at 25-13, 25-15 and finally 25-11, to set up another meeting with Bermuda, who defeated St. Martin in their semi-final match up.

In the finals, the Vincentians marched to a 3-1 win over Bermuda, after they had lost the first set.

Bermuda’s lone set win was a 25-19 lead, but with the title in their reach, the Vincentians clawed their way back at 25-23, 25-8 and 25-21, to bring glory to their country.

SVG’s Captain Ijahlon Butler led all scorers with 23 points, including 17 spikes, to lead from in front in the title decider.

Daniel Fiddick, Bermuda’s captain, had 16 points in a losing cause.

In the third place game, French St. Martin repeated the same feat they accomplished last year, by beating Antigua and Barbuda in straight sets 3-0, 25 -23, 25 -22. 25-21 to take bronze.

The other competing teams were St. Maarten and host Anguilla.

Winning Coach Vance Andrews told SEARCHLIGHT that it was a good feeling to have been the first successful coach at this level for St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

He lauded the efforts of others like Duane Daniel and Marlon Williams for their input into the team’s success.

The National Olympic Committee and the National Lotteries Authority made possible the Vincentians’ participation.(RT)