Meet Tenayestlgni Joseph 🇱🇨, Best Digger in Tortola, BVI
Spikers get the highlights, but defenders keep teams alive. Saint Lucia's Tenayestlgni Joseph earned Best Digger Award in Tortola, BVI and she talked to us about the dig she'll never forget, falling in love with defence and her message to every young girl who's been told she's "not tall enough."
🔹 Digging is hard work. What does it mean to you to be recognized as Best Digger in Tortola, and was there one dig you'll never forget?
"First, I want to thank my national coaches, Coach Gouche and Coach Pope; my club coach, Coach Combie, for his technical guidance; our team manager, Munchie, for keeping us fed and hydrated; and my teammates for always believing in me. I also want to give a special thank you to my partner. Volleyball comes with a lot of pressure, and having someone who constantly reminds me of what I'm capable of has been a huge confidence boost.
Being recognized as Best Digger means a lot to me because defence is something I take a lot of pride in. One dig that really stands out was picking up a lefty's shot from position five, right on the line, and getting the ball up nice and high for my setter. She had scored on me earlier with that exact same shot, so being able to read it, get there, and make the ball playable felt really good."
🔹 Most young players want to be the one spiking. How did volleyball find you, and when did you decide you'd rather be the one who never lets the ball drop?
"My mom played volleyball, so from a young age I followed her to the beach and the court for her sessions. She introduced me to the sport and supported me from the very beginning, and she always encouraged me to push beyond the club level.
I've always been very competitive, and even before playing libero, I was aggressive on defence. Seeing the ball drop and knowing we lost a point never sat well with me, so I naturally loved the challenge of keeping the ball alive. That's what made the move to libero feel so natural."
🔹 What goes on in your head in the half-second before a hard-driven ball reaches you, and how do you bounce back when one gets past you?
"Honestly, I welcome a hard-driven ball. It excites me. That's actually my favourite type of ball to defend.
If someone gets a good shot on me, I'm going to remember it. I'll study that play and make sure it's very difficult for them to repeat it. It's not about getting frustrated when I miss a dig. It's more like, 'Okay, you got me that time. Let's see if you can do it again.'"
🔹 How does it feel to represent Saint Lucia on a regional stage, and which teammate would you share this award with?
"It's always amazing to represent my country. This year was bittersweet because we weren't able to retain our title, but playing alongside the ladies and supporting our men's team was still a great experience.
We have so many amazing players, and everyone chips in when needed. But if I had to share this award, I'd share it with my girl, Amalia. She's amazing, humble, highly competitive and aggressive, and she's always there boosting me in those key moments when I need extra encouragement. It's an honour to play beside her."
🔹 What would you tell a young girl in the Eastern Caribbean who thinks she's "not tall enough" or "not a star" to make it in volleyball?
"In a team sport like volleyball, everyone has a role. You don't have to be the one getting all the kills to make a difference. Every position matters, and every player brings something different.
Volleyball is also a very mental game. Believe in yourself and be confident in what you bring to the court. Don't count yourself out. Work on your skills, embrace what makes you different, and keep learning. Sometimes, being the one who keeps the ball alive makes all the difference." 💪🏽
Congratulations, Tenayestlgni! 👏🏽🇱🇨
#ECVA #EasternCaribbeanVolleyball #SaintLucia #BestDigger #Libero #WomenInSport #Volleyball #Tortola #NextGeneration
