St Lucia’s Julien Bissette (third from the left) and members on the All Star team selected following the recent ECVA Under-20 Men’s Volleyball Championships.
Following their arrival at George FL Charles Airport on Monday, team members were greeted by Permanent Secretary in the Department of Youth and Sports, Donovan Williams; Director of Youth and Sports, Victor Reid; and President of the St Lucia Volleyball Association, Brian Louisy.
Playing against Antigua and Barbuda (two teams), French St Martin, St Vincent and the Grenadines and St Eustatius, St Lucia won the title by going undefeated. They now advance to the Continental Championship taking place in Quebec, Canada, from August 14-22.
St Lucia the region’s powerhouse got off to a good start last Thursday evening when they dismissed their opponents Antigua (B) in three 3 straight sets, 25-16, 25-16, 25-13 in the opening match of the Championship, before a raucous crowd which packed the YMCA Indoor Complex. Reports noted that St Lucia’s 2009 Junior Male Volleyball player of the year, Julian Bissette’s blocking and spiking were the key ingredients in the team’s victory.
St Lucia’s Julien Bissette (third from the left) and members on the All Star team selected following the recent ECVA Under-20 Men’s Volleyball Championships.
On day two, the Lucian men again emerged victorious over the fairly resistant French St Martin boys three sets to one. During the first two sets French St Martin appeared nervous. They made numerous unforced errors which handed the sets to St Lucia. But in the third set, French St Martin turned their game around showing great fortitude by stunning what had appeared to be the unstoppable force of St. Lucia, which produced a wave of appreciation from the crowd. But this was short lived. In the fourth set, St Lucia raised their game and defeated St Martin 25-22 to prevent a fifth and final deciding set of the match. The final scores were 25-16, 25-19, 24-26, 25-22.
Having topped their group, St Lucia advanced to the semi-final round and battled the second place team in the other group, Antigua (A). The host country and crowd favorites, Antigua (A) battled a tough St Lucia side who won 25-22, 25-22, 29-31, 25-21.
In this semi-final thriller, while Antigua (A) folded easily to the precise back court and quick spikes of St Lucia’s Bissette in sets one and two, they sprung to life in the third set. Buoyed by the frantic support of the home crowd the team played with renewed vigor, but only managed to win one set.
On Sunday (May 2), it was the battle of the “Saints” as St Lucia went head to head with St Vincent. St Lucia started off slowly and their opponents won the first set using good defense, solid spiking and the support of the crowd. But this was not sustainable and in the next three sets the boys from sweet Helen regrouped and dominated winning the game 23:25, 25:19, 25:18, 25:21 to secure the title.
Bissette who was a force to contend with throughout the tournament emerged as the Most Valuable Player. That’s not all! He was also named the Best Scorer and Best Spiker. His teammate Caleb George received the Best Libero award. In other awards presented R Richards (Antigua A) was named Best Blocker; Best Server, Akins Questles (St Vincent & the Grenadines); Best Digger, M Cupid (St Vincent & the Grenadines).
The team rankings are as follows: (1) St Lucia, (2) St. Vincent and the Grenadines, (3) French St Martin, (4) Antigua (A), (5) Antigua (B), (6) St Eustatius.
St Lucia’s young men have displayed the talent, discipline and courage that teams of the past were known for. In this tournament the boys from the Helen of the West Indies were undefeated and brought home the gold. They now need to focus their attention on the major championship in Quebec Canada in August.
The victorious St Lucia Under-20 Male Volleyball Team along with officials following their arrival at George FL Charles Airport.
The coaches and association hope to strengthen the team by bringing in two or three players from the south of the island who were not able to train with the team earlier this year. These players along with the new Cuban Volleyball Coach are expected to strengthen the junior team.
St Lucia has been the dominant force in the OECS and now in the Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association Zone. The young men appear well set to create a new and long lasting tradition.
Meanwhile, the senior female team will be looking to keep their record intact as they prepare for the Senior Female ECVA championships scheduled for St Lucia June 23-27 at the Beausejour Indoor Practice Facility.
