SVG fades in ECVA Under-16 Male Volleyball Tournament

Host St Vincent and the Grenadines faded into last position in the National Lotteries Authority ECVA Male Under-16 Volleyball Tournament,{{more}} which concluded last Sunday night at the National Lotteries Authority hard court on Murray’s Road.

The Vincentian lads began the three-day tournament, which commenced last Friday, on a high note, downing the highly fancied St Lucia in straight sets, 3-0.

But that turned out to be the lone win to come the Vincentians’ way, as they were beaten by French St Martin and Antigua and Barbuda, both by 3-0 margins on Saturday.

In the semi-finals play on Sunday morning, the St Lucians reversed the defeat inflicted on them by the Vincentians, by returning the compliment by the same margin.

In the third place play-off on Sunday evening, St Vincent and the Grenadines and Antigua and Barbuda squared off for the consolation prize.

In the end, it was Antigua and Barbuda who prevailed 3-2; it was the only match which required five sets.

The tournament was dominated by French St Martin, who finished with an unblemished record, winning all their matches.

The skillful St Martin players beat Antigua and Barbuda 3-1 in their opening salvo, despite arriving here a mere two hours before going on to the court. Then, they inflicted a 3-0 licking on St Vincent and the Grenadines, and finished off the preliminary round with a 3-1 beating of St Lucia.

In the semi-final match against Antigua and Barbuda, St Martin strode to a 3-0 win, taking the sets at 26-24, 25 -18, 25-13.

And, in the finals, the same score line was attained, as St Lucia had to settle for the runner-up spot.

St Martin won the championship match on Sunday night, 25-20, 25-18 and closed off with a 25-11 drubbing in the last set.

The only consolation for St Vincent and the Grenadines was their captain Jamal Small, who was the tournament’s Best Scorer.

As expected, the French St Martin outfit walked away with most of the awards, with Ashille Brooks named the Overall Most Valuable Player, the Best Receiver and the Best Server.

Ashille’s twin brother, Kareem, was the Best Digger, with Fresnet Fabre, also of St Martin, the Best Setter and their teammate, Stephane Morisseau, the Best Spiker.

Closing out the St Martin domination of the awards, was Hazael Dollin, who was adjudged the Best Libero.

St Lucian Tevin St Jean was the Best Blocker.

The win by St Martin sends them on to represent ECVA at other continental tournaments. (RT)