🏐🇧🇲 SPOTLIGHT: BEST MIDDLE BLOCKER – AMBER SIMONS 🇧🇲🏐
Bermuda went undefeated to claim GOLD 🥇, and middle blocker Amber Simons walked away with the Best Middle Blocker award. We caught up with her after the tournament 👇
🎙️ Congratulations on being named Best Middle Blocker! What went through your mind when your name was called, and what does this award mean to you and to volleyball in Bermuda?
"I felt incredibly proud and honoured. There were so many talented players competing, so being recognised was a really rewarding moment. This award reflects the hard work and dedication I've put into the sport. It also speaks to the level of talent we have in Bermuda. Despite being a small island, we can compete and excel on the international stage. I hope achievements like this continue to inspire the next generation of volleyball players in Bermuda."
🎙️ Bermuda won gold undefeated. If you could replay one rally from the whole week, which would it be?
"The final point of the second set against Antigua in the gold medal match. We were battling point for point, and their outside hitter, Rayana Regis, had been a real threat. I knew if the ball went to her she'd swing aggressively, so I focused on reading the play and timing my block. I can still replay that moment in slow motion. As soon as the ball hit my hands, I knew it was going straight down. Closing out such a hard-fought set like that and seeing my teammates' excitement was incredible. It gave us the momentum we needed and put us one set closer to gold."
🎙️ Last year you won Best Blocker but took home silver. This year it's gold and Best Middle Blocker. What changed?
"The biggest difference was growth in my overall game. As a middle, you're the first line of defence at the net, but you also help create offensive opportunities. This past year I focused on becoming a more complete player: being consistently available as an attacking option for my setter, which opens up more chances for our outside hitters. Defensively, I refined my timing, positioning and reading of the opposing offence, and built stronger chemistry with my outside blockers. Last year was about individual growth. This year the goal was to turn that into a team result. Walking away with both gold and Best Middle Blocker makes that progress even more rewarding."
🎙️ You shared the award. Give a shout-out to someone who made your job at the net easier.
"It's impossible to single out just one person! My teammates on the court and the bench, our coaching staff, the men's team offering advice, and the fans bringing the energy all played a part. I was constantly getting feedback on closing our blocks, hitters' tendencies, and which players to key in on in crucial moments. Blocking may be counted as an individual stat, but it's really the product of a whole team's effort, and I'm so grateful to everyone who contributed."
👏 Congratulations, Amber, and congratulations to Team Bermuda on an unbeaten gold medal run! 🇧🇲🥇
#ECVA #Volleyball #TeamBermuda #BestMiddleBlocker #CaribbeanVolleyball #WomenInSport #ECVAIndoor2026
🏐🇩🇲 SPOTLIGHT: Sherron Vidal — Best Outside Hitter, ECVA 2026 Championship
Dominica's Sherron Vidal was named Best Outside Hitter at the ECVA 2026 Championship in Tortola! We caught up with him to talk about the award, the team behind it, and what comes next. 👇
🏆 On hearing his name called
"Honestly, when they called my name, I had mixed feelings. I was surprised, but I also knew how hard I worked to deserve this. You hear your name and you're still not sure it was your name. It takes a while to sink in."
Sherron says the award reflects a lot of hard work: "Most of us play more than one sport, so balancing trainings, games, work… it can be a lot."
He credits his teammates, coaches, family, Club One, and his basketball team West Coast Ballerz: "I didn't get there by myself. The award is something I'll appreciate, but it's also motivation to keep working and improving."
🤝 On the team
"Volleyball is a game where you really have to trust the people around you. Sometimes a few words from your teammates can completely change your mindset. Even though I received the individual award, I honestly feel like it represents the work we all put in as a team."
💪 On his toughest test
Strong blocking teams like St Lucia pushed him to adapt by hitting around the block, using tips and soft shots, and picking his moments for the big attack.
"Being a good outside hitter isn't just about how hard you can hit. It's about being able to read the game, make adjustments and stay composed. Using your head as much as your strength."
🇩🇲 On representing Dominica
"When I put on the national jersey, it's a big deal. I'm representing my family, my teammates, my coaches, my club and everyone back home. I swear sometimes I can hear them shouting from all the way over there!"
✨ His message to young players
"I wasn't always the player I am today. Honestly, I used to be horrible. Basketball was my first sport, and when I started volleyball my passing was terrible. My teammates still laugh at me about it! 😂 But I just kept pushing and learning. Keep showing up, keep learning, and don't get discouraged when things don't happen immediately. Being part of a club is an excellent way to get that foundation. If you love the sport and you're willing to put in the work, you can go further than you think."
🔜 What's next
"I don't want this award to be the highlight of my journey. I want it to push me to work even harder." His goals are to become more consistent, improve his blocking, defence and serve, test himself at higher levels, and help Dominica keep growing as a volleyball nation.
Congratulations, Sherron! Dominica is proud of you! 👏🇩🇲
#ECVA2026 #DominicaVolleyball #TeamDominica #BestOutsideHitter #Tortola #NatureIsland
SPOTLIGHT INTERVIEW | BEST RECEIVER – ECVA 2026
Meet Joshua Wilson of Bermuda
At the just concluded 2026 ECVA Men's and Women's Volleyball Championship in Tortola, BVI , one player stood out for his steady hands in the backcourt. Bermuda's Joshua Wilson was named Best Receiver of the tournament.
Reception doesn't always make the highlight reels, but every big kill starts with a great pass. We caught up with Joshua to talk pressure, tough serves, and what's next.
Q: Congratulations on being named Best Receiver at ECVA 2026! What does this recognition mean to you?
💬 Joshua: "It is a crazy feeling as my coaches are always adamant that the start of a good attack is a good pass, so im proud that I could help my team. Receiving is a part of my game that I have always felt confident in so receiving this award has felt like all of my efforts have come to fruition."
Q: Reception is often the unseen part of the game. What's the secret to staying calm and consistent under pressure?
💬 Joshua: "Having a pre serve routine that you can go back to every time and keeping a level head, remind yourself not everything has to be perfect. Be prepared to make mistakes, it happens and you can't do anything to change it so turn your focus to the next point and make sure every pass is better than the last."
Q: Which serve in Tortola tested you the most, and how did you adjust?
💬 Joshua: "#7 on Saint Vincent had a powerful top spin, but getting behind it and trusting yourself with a level head to make the pass. With top spin serves making sure you get behind the ball and letting the ball do the work is very important, but it is the move that is the hard part."
Q: Great passing sets up great attacks. Which teammate would you like to shout out for turning your passes into points?
💬 Joshua: "Shout out to my setters and middles for all putting a ball away as a good pass allows us to run the middle. Alex southern for one, huge hits out of the middle. Brandon Sousa and Bert Stevenson for adjusting to any mediocre passes i sent their way, but I hope i also made their lives easier with some good ones."
Q: Bermuda came close to the podium this year. What's the goal for you going forward?
💬 Joshua: "Medaling at the next tournament and keep pushing into the island games and whatever lies ahead. Keeping on improving all aspects of my game and ensuring that I continue to improve."
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Congratulations again, Joshua! The foundation of every great attack and a well-deserved honour. Bermuda, the podium is calling!
#ECVA2026 #ECVAVolleyball #BestReceiver #TeamBermuda #VolleyballBermuda #Tortola2026 #BVI #CaribbeanVolleyball #NORCECA #VolleyballInterview
Full rankings: https://en.volleyballworld.com/volleyball/world-ranking/menMeet 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
🏐 ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT | 🇧🇲 Alexander Southern, Best Middle Blocker - Bermuda
2026 ECVA Championship, Tortola, BVI
Bermuda's Alexander Southern left Tortola with more than memories. The towering middle was named Best Middle Blocker at the 2026 ECVA Men and Women Volleyball Championship. We caught up with him to talk about the award, his journey and what it means for volleyball back home.
🎙️ Alexander, you were named Best Middle Blocker. What went through your mind when your name was called?
"It was definitely a proud moment. As a middle, a lot of what you do doesn't always show up on the scoresheet in blocking, so it was nice to have that recognised."
🎙️ What did it mean to wear Bermuda's colours in Tortola and bring home an individual award?
"It meant a lot. It can be harder for us in Bermuda because we don't get as many opportunities to regularly play and train against other high-level teams. So being able to go to Tortola, compete well against strong teams from around the region, and come away with an individual award was something I was really proud of."
🎙️ How did your volleyball journey begin, and why the middle?
"I first got into volleyball through the Bermuda school and National Junior programmes, before moving to the UK for university, where I was selected for the 1st team at Loughborough University. Playing middle came pretty naturally to me because of my height and athleticism, but I also grew to really enjoy the position."
🎙️ Looking back on the week, which match or moment stood out most?
"It would have to be the last match against Dominica. Although we lost in a close ending, it was our best performance as a team, and we secured the best finish the team has had in this tournament. There were definitely a few blocks throughout the tournament that felt good, especially the ones on big points where you could feel the momentum change afterwards. I feel like that's the biggest impact I can make as a middle on the court."
🎙️ What do you hope this award does for volleyball in Bermuda?
"Hopefully it gives a little more visibility to volleyball in Bermuda. We have a lot of talented athletes, and I'd love to see more young people getting involved in the sport and realising there are opportunities to represent Bermuda and compete internationally."
👏 Congratulations, Alexander, on a well-deserved honour, and to Team Bermuda on a historic finish!
#ECVA #ECVA2026 #Volleyball #CaribbeanVolleyball #TeamBermuda #Bermuda #BestMiddleBlocker #NORCECA #AthleteSpotlight
🏐🇩🇲 ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT: MERVIN MINGO
Best Libero – 2026 ECVA Senior Men's Indoor Championship
Dominica's Mervin Mingo continues to make his mark on regional volleyball! After being named Best Libero and Best Digger at the 2023 ECVA U23 Championship, and winning back-to-back ECVA U21 Beach titles with partner Bill Frederick in 2024 and 2025, Mervin has now been named Best Libero at senior level. Dominica took bronze at the championship in the BVI.
We caught up with Mervin to talk about his journey. 👇
Q: You won Best Libero and Best Digger at the 2023 ECVA U23 Championship. Now you're Best Libero at senior level. How has your game improved, and what does this award mean to you?
Mervin: "Since 2023, I believe my game has improved a lot, especially in my reading of the game, positioning, communication, and consistency. Playing at different levels has given me more experience and confidence. Winning Best Libero at the senior level means a lot to me because it shows that the hard work, training, and sacrifices are paying off. It also motivates me to continue improving and representing Dominica at the highest level I can."
Q: You and Bill Frederick won the ECVA U21 Beach title two years in a row. How has beach volleyball helped you as an indoor libero?
Mervin:"Beach volleyball has helped me tremendously because there are only two players on the court, so you have to be involved in almost every play. It has improved my ball control, reading of the opponent, movement, communication, and decision-making. Those skills have transferred directly into indoor volleyball and have helped me become a better player."
Q: Liberos don't always get the spotlight. Why did you choose this position, and who helped you become the player you are today?
Mervin: "I chose libero because I enjoy defending and helping my teammates stay in the game. I like the challenge of keeping difficult balls alive and creating opportunities for the team to attack. I also enjoy being someone my teammates can depend on in the back row. My parents, coaches, teammates, and everyone who has supported me throughout my volleyball journey have all played an important role in helping me become the player I am today."
Q: After your 2025 beach win, you thanked your parents, coaches and fans. Who has supported you the most, and what would you like to say to them?
Mervin:"My parents have been a major source of support throughout my journey. They have always encouraged me, supported my training, and believed in me. My coaches, teammates, friends, and fans have also played a big part. I want to say thank you to everyone who has supported me, whether it was at a game, during training, or simply by encouraging me. I truly appreciate it, and I hope I can continue making you proud."
Q: You've been honoured at U21, U23 and senior level. What's your next goal, and what advice would you give young Dominicans who want to follow your path?
Mervin: "My next goal is to continue developing as a player, compete at higher levels, and represent Dominica as well as I possibly can. One of my biggest goals is to win the ECVA Senior Beach Volleyball Tournament in 2027. I would love to achieve that and continue building on everything I have accomplished so far.
To young Dominicans who want to follow this path, I would say believe in yourself, work hard, stay disciplined, and don't be afraid of setbacks. Listen to your coaches, learn from every experience, and always remember where you came from. Most importantly, enjoy the sport and keep pushing yourself to get better."
👏 Congratulations, Mervin! Dominica is proud of you. Keep defending, keep inspiring! 💪🇩🇲
#MervinMingo #DominicaVolleyball #ECVA #NORCECA #BestLibero #Volleyball #TeamDominica #NatureIsland #CaribbeanVolleyball #YouthInSport
How High Can You Jump? Larian Tulloch Answers That and More After Best Outside Hitter award in Tortola 🇩🇲🏐
For Larian Tulloch, the answer is about 41 inches, and at the ECVA 2026 Men and Women Volleyball Championship in Tortola, BVI, he used every one of them. Tulloch soared his way to the tournament's Best Outside Hitter award, putting Dominica's name among the region's best. Not bad for a player who taught himself the game with his cousins after school, without a coach.
We spoke with Larian after the championship about where it all started, what has changed, and what comes next.
Take us back to the beginning. Where did you grow up, how old were you when you first touched a volleyball, and who got you into the game?
I grew up in the Nature Isle of the Caribbean, Dominica. I first became interested in volleyball in my last year of high school. I was 16, and at first it was just something fun to do, playing with my cousins after school.
My cousins and I decided to form a team for the school league that final year. We never had a coach, so we trained ourselves. That was the only way to make it happen. We made it all the way to the finals but lost, and after feeling the way I felt, I realised I had a lot of passion for the sport. What started as fun became something I wanted to take seriously and become great at.
How many years have you been playing now, and what has changed most between that young player and the one who just won Best Outside Hitter in Tortola?
I've been playing for six years. I was self-taught for the first few, and I only started to really improve once I began proper training and played in my first senior league in 2024. The biggest difference is my mindset.
When I was younger, I just wanted to play and enjoy myself. Now I understand the discipline, sacrifice, consistency and mental strength it takes to perform at a high level. I've learned how to deal with pressure, how to trust myself, and how to stay focused even when things aren't going my way.
Winning Best Outside Hitter shows me how much I've grown, but I still feel like that young player who just loves volleyball. I'm just a more experienced version of him now.
Let's settle this for the fans: do you know how high you can jump? What's your best vertical or highest touch, and has anyone on the team ever out-jumped you? 😄
😂 I definitely know I can get up there. My best vertical is around 41 inches.
As for somebody on the team out-jumping me... I'm not going to lie, there are some guys who can definitely challenge me. But I'm always going to back myself when it comes to getting above the net.
At the end of the day, volleyball isn't only about who jumps the highest. Timing, technique, reading the game and knowing how to use your athleticism are just as important.
What does being named Best Outside Hitter at the ECVA 2026 Championship mean to you personally, and to your family and community back home in Dominica?
It means a lot, because it's not just an individual award. I see it as a reflection of all the work, the sacrifices, the setbacks, and the people who helped me get to this point.
Representing Dominica and coming away with an award like this makes me extremely proud. I know there were people back home watching, supporting and believing in me, so making them proud means even more than the award itself.
I also hope it shows young athletes back home that you can come from a small island, work hard, believe in yourself and still compete at a high level. This is something I want to build on, not something I want to be satisfied with.
What's next for Larian Tulloch, and what advice would you give a young Dominican who dreams of standing where you stood in the BVI?
What's next is simple: keep working. I want to keep developing every part of my game, get stronger mentally and physically, compete at higher levels, and see how far volleyball can take me.
To any young Dominican with that dream: believe in yourself before anybody else does. Don't be afraid to start small, don't compare your journey to somebody else's, and don't let setbacks convince you that you aren't good enough.
Stay disciplined, listen to your coaches, respect the game and, most importantly, enjoy the process. There will be days when you're frustrated and days when you question yourself, but those are the moments that make you better.
I'm still chasing my own goals too. Best Outside Hitter is a great achievement, but for me it's motivation to keep going and see what I can accomplish next. 🇩🇲🏐
Congratulations, Larian, on flying Dominica's flag high in Tortola!
🏐 IN CONVERSATION WITH CHENOA EVANS: BEST OPPOSITE 🇱🇨
Saint Lucia's Chenoa Evans left Tortola with a bronze medal and the Best Opposite award. Only months after surgery, she pushed through and found her confidence again. We sat down with her to talk about the award, her journey and what comes next.
🏆 Congratulations on being named Best Opposite. What does this award mean to you personally, and who did you think of first when your name was called?
"The award was a reminder of my ability to me. Leading up to the tournament I struggled with my confidence, as I had surgery in April and was still suffering the mental effects of it. I wasn't sure I could be the Chenoa everybody knows me to be. So it was kind of like a reminder to myself that I am, in fact, capable. When my name was first called, I thought of my dad because he was the one I cried to most nights after training when I felt I didn't have it in me."
🌱 Take us back to the beginning. How did volleyball find you in Saint Lucia, and when did you know the opposite position was where you belonged?
"Volleyball found me at 14 on the court at the St. Joseph's Convent Secondary School, through an adamant Stuart Albert, who believed with his whole heart that I was a volleyballer. Going as far as pulling me out of class to teach me how to run a middle! Eventually I started playing for the school and found myself on the U16 national team. I was a middle at first but as I grew in the sport I fell in love with the art of scoring and blocking. I tried my hand at power but it just didn't feel right. I convinced Coach Charlery to let me try right side in 2022 and he was pleased so I stayed there. Ever since then it's just felt like home to me."
💪 Opposites are expected to score when the team needs it most. What has your training and mental preparation looked like to handle that pressure, and what part of your game has grown the most since you started?
"Each season is different because my life circumstances are different each time around. But one thing remains constant - when I feel fit, I play better. And mentally, when I commit to showing up and do so no matter what, it pays off in keeping me grounded. Opposite is a high pressure position but I operate better in high pressure environments. If it's not stimulating me mentally, I get bored. So it's a constant game of challenging myself based on my last gym session or practice session. I would say I've experienced the most growth in my decision making and my focus. I'm no longer easily distracted and I have learned to read the game a lot better, which guides my decisions."
🥉 Which match or rally from this championship will you remember most, and what did it teach you about yourself as a player?
"It was our bronze medal match. I woke up that morning feeling like I had a point to prove. It was one of my best games all tournament, and one where I worked a little harder than usual. But it taught me that I'm more resilient than I think I am; I have more grit than I thought I did. And I have what it takes to keep growing."
✨ What's next for Chenoa Evans, whether that's regional, NORCECA or beyond? And what would you say to young girls in Saint Lucia and across the Eastern Caribbean who dream of wearing their national colours?
"Right now, the world is literally my oyster. I'm growing, I'm learning a lot about life and I'm starting to understand who Chenoa really is. I'm passionate about volleyball and I do intend to pick up the mantle and continue looking for that top spot for St. Lucia and actively support initiatives for the growth of the sport, locally and regionally. To young girls I would say; if you know that this is what you want to do, commit to it and never stop going. You are as powerful as your mind allows you to be, that goes for volleyball and life. If you want it, you can have it. Just believe in yourself."
Congratulations, Chenoa! 👏🏽 The region is proud of you, and the best is yet to come.
#ChenoaEvans #BestOpposite #SaintLucia #ECVA #NORCECA #CaribbeanVolleyball #WomenInSport #Tortola #BVI #Volleyball
🏐 PLAYER SPOTLIGHT 🏐
Best Outside Hitter – Josanne Lewis 🇦🇬
2026 ECVA Men and Women Indoor Championship | Tortola, BVI 🇻🇬
At the Men and Women Volleyball Championship in Tortola, BVI, Antigua and Barbuda's Josanne Lewis was named Best Outside Hitter. We sat down with her to talk about her journey, life off the court and what it takes to reach this level.
Q: Every great outside hitter has an origin story. What first drew you to volleyball, and was there a moment early on when you realized this was the sport you wanted to chase seriously?
Josanne: "Playing at different levels, from Antigua to college abroad, really changed my perspective. I experienced the highs of being recognized individually, but also the responsibility of being someone my teammates could depend on. Volleyball has taken me places I never imagined, introduced me to people I never would have met, and taught me so much about discipline, leadership, and resilience. So for me, there wasn't just one moment, it was a gradual realization that this sport had become a part of who I am."
Q: Off the court, what does Josanne Lewis look like? How do you spend your time when you're not training or competing, and does anything you do outside the sport make you better on it?
Josanne: "Off the court, I'm a Psychology student, so I spend a lot of time studying and learning about people, behavior, and mental issues. I'm someone who enjoys quiet time. I like being around nature, spending time with family and people that I love, and just taking time to reset mentally."
Q: Being from Antigua and Barbuda and earning recognition on a regional stage like this, who are the people (family, coaches, teammates) you point to as the reason you received this award?
Josanne: "My family has always been a major source of support. They've watched me grow from a little girl who started playing volleyball into the athlete and person I am today. My coaches have also pushed me, challenged me, and believed in me during moments when I had to grow through uncomfortable situations.
And my teammates deserve a huge amount of credit. Volleyball is a team sport, and an outside hitter doesn't get to shine without the teammates fighting alongside you. Every person I've played with has contributed something to my development."
Q: If a young girl in Antigua watched you play and wants to follow in your footsteps, what's the one piece of advice you'd give her about what it really takes to get to this level?
Josanne: "People see the awards, the MVPs, the championships, the travel, and moments like being named Best Outside Hitter. They don't always see the conditioning, the practices when you're tired, the mistakes, the losses, the times you question yourself, or all the moments when you have to choose discipline over comfort.
Believe in yourself, listen to the people who genuinely want to help you grow, stay humble, and work hard even when nobody is watching."
Congratulations, Josanne, on a well-deserved award! 👏🇦🇬
#ECVA #Volleyball #BestOutsideHitter #JosanneLewis #AntiguaAndBarbuda #TortolaBVI #CaribbeanVolleyball #WomenInSport #PlayerSpotlight
🏐 ECVA CHAMPIONSHIP | PLAYER SPOTLIGHT 🏐
🇧🇲 Best Setter – Olivia Gazzard (Bermuda)
A setter's job is all about decisions: reading the block and picking the right spot for the ball in a split second, rally after rally. Olivia did that all tournament and helped lead Bermuda to a big win in the final, playing alongside her sister Natalie. We caught up with her after the awards 👇
❓ Was there a match or rally where everything clicked?
🗣️ "It's very difficult to narrow it down to one moment, but there were a few times when everything just flowed naturally, especially in the final. Our team was very focused, and I was dialed in on putting the ball in areas that gave our hitters the best chance to succeed. I felt confident in my decisions and trusted my hitters to execute when we needed them. As a setter, it's such a great feeling when you're in sync with the whole team. In the final, we put it all together at the right time, which led to a big win for Bermuda."
❓ You and Natalie were sisters long before you were setter and hitter. Can she read a look from you on court the way she would at home?
🗣️ "Being sisters definitely helps. Natalie and I are very close, so sometimes we can communicate with just a look or a quick signal. At the same time, playing together has taught us a different kind of communication on the court. We've learned to trust each other and understand what the other person needs in the moment. Not many people get to share the court with their sibling and win together, so I'm very grateful for the fun and success we shared this tournament."
❓ What does it mean to see two players from the same family and the same program recognized at an ECVA championship?
🗣️ "It means a lot to both of us. We're really proud to represent Bermuda and our Paradise Hitters junior club, especially since we grew up in the same program together. I've always looked up to my sister, and seeing her recognized for all her hard work is very special. She had a great tournament, and so did our whole team. Volleyball is a team sport, and everyone contributed. We're very fortunate to play with such a great group of ladies and learn from everyone around us."
❓ What can this success do for volleyball back home, especially for young girls watching?
🗣️ "I hope it shows young girls in Bermuda that there are opportunities for them in volleyball if they work hard, believe in themselves and work toward a common goal. You don't have to come from a big place to compete and succeed. I'm very grateful for all the support from our coaches, parents, the BVA and our sponsors. Without them, none of this would be possible. I really hope this win encourages younger players to train with a purpose and keep chasing their goals."
Congratulations, Olivia, and to the whole Bermuda team! 👏🇧🇲
#ECVA #Volleyball #BestSetter #TeamBermuda #BVA #SisterPower #NORCECA
