ST JOHN’S, Antigua and Barbuda, October 20, 2024: Antigua and Barbuda extended their unbeaten run, but not without a bump on the way in the Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) Senior Women’s Tournament here at the YMCA Sports Complex.
Facing the ever- improving St Maarten team, the Antiguans had to dig deep at times to eke out the 3-1 (25-21, 25-23, 23-25, 25-14) win.
In the process, Antigua and Barbuda notched up their third successive win, joining Bermuda who also has three wins.
On the other side of the court, it was St Maarten’s third straight defeat, but had the consolation of winning their first set.
Antigua and Barbuda’s success thus far, was embraced by Head Coach Olsen Joseph, although cautioning that it was “one match at a time”.
In his assessment of the win, Joseph admitted: “This one was a bit challenging because one of my main players that I would have come in as a sub, got injured before coming to the court, so I had to mix and match”.
Joseph is riding the positives coming from the three wins, hoping that the momentum will take them to the title match.
Not disgraced by his team’s string of losses, St Maarten’s Head Coach- Dimitri Beauperthuy, lauded his charges for their continued improvements.
“I am extremely proud of the performance… This is what I expected from the team… I believe in the first and second sets, we missed the opportunity based on our service”.
Likewise in high spirit was St Maarten’s Captain- Chelsey Augustine, who said, “I am pleased how my team mates came out; I mean really came out, when they really needed to”.
Augustine strongly holds the view that the continued improvements in the championships shown by the team, augurs well for the sport of Volleyball in St Maarten.
Next up, Grenada and Anguilla meet in Match nine.
