ST CROIX, US Virgin Islands, CMC-Defending champions Trinidad and Tobago breezed past Guadeloupe and Jamaica brushed aside The Bahamas in their opening matches Wednesday night at the 14th Senior Women’s Caribbean Zonal Volleyball Association Championship.
Using mostly second-string players Trinidad coasted to a 3-0 sets win over Guadeloupe while Jamaica wasted little time in demolishing The Bahamas in three sets at the Richard ‘Ranchee’ Charles Gymnasium,
Darlene Ramdin and Channon Thompson scored ten points each while Andrea Kinsale and Abigail Gloud added nine each as the ‘calypso spikers’ romped to victory 25-8, 25-16, 25-19.
The champions also held a 7-6 advantage on blocks and 13-3 on service aces as regular starters, captain, Krystle Esdelle, Kelly-Ann Billingy, Jalicia Ross and Sinead Jack remained on the bench for most of the contest.
“For me it was a chance to give other players a chance to perform because some of the girls came here carrying injuries from the Pan American Cup’s” said Francisco Cruz, Trinidad coach.
“The players that came in tonight did well and for the victory I am satisfied and we will continue to work for the rest of the tournament”.
For Guadeloupe, it was their second loss in as many games following a four-set defeat to six-time champions Barbados on Tuesday
The ‘Reggae Spikers’, given a bye on Tuesday’s opening, coasted to a one –sided 25-20, 25-14, 25-22 win over The Bahamians who had stunned host country USVI the night before in their Pool B opener.
The Jamaicans dominated with a 12-2 advantage on blocks and 9-3 on service aces.
Makini Thompson had a match-high 15 points, Lecia Brown got ten and Tracy-Ann Findlay chipped in with eight while Kelsie Johnson led The Bahamas with seven and Tia Charlow added six.
“Our focus was on our serving and blocking. The first two sets for us was excellent but in the third set Bahamas pushed us a bit with their serve while our service game was not good” said Jamaica coach, Gatasheu Bonner.
“We kept our focus and close out the match in the end and overall we are happy as a team.”
