The team from the Virgin Islands was pitched in a group of death at the ECVA Senior Championship and suffered losses to Anguilla, St Lucia and Antigua. Photo: Oris Photography

After the defeat to Antigua, Patty Romney commented that the players only had themselves to blame. "Our passing game fell away rapidly and as a result the opponents were given too many free balls that they took advantage of," she said. Photo: Oris Photography

The BVI team pushed both Anguilla and Antigua all the way in some tough matches and will have learnt from the experience. Photo: Oris Photography

Almost straight off the plane, the BVI were pitched against the ultimate champions St Lucia and lost 3-0 (25-17; 25-16 and 25 -19). The match, however, was not as easy as the score suggested as BVI stayed close particularly in the early part of the sets.

Coach of the St. Lucia team Florian Combie surmised that the tournament was very competitive. "I am very happy that we were able to overcome them in three sets as this team always posed a problem for us. In fact the last time we played, two years ago, they defeated us so I am really relieved over the outcome. I believe that it was our will to fight to the end and our courage that made the difference this time,” he said.

Losing Coach Willis Potter was happy despite the defeat. "We had some good moments, and some consistent play but overall got outplayed. However, I can see my team rising to another level as the tournament goes on.”

BVI Captain, Patty Romney commended St. Lucia on the victory. "They played well both offensively and defensively, they have a very good team but we were not intimidated or phased by them. We came away knowing that we could improve," she concluded.

Indira Laurencin of St. Lucia  was the best scorer on the night with 18 points ( 12 spikes, 4 blocks and 2 aces) while Debbie Dagou of BVI contributed 10 points in her team's loss

In their second game, the BVI were outlasted by Anguilla 3-2, (22-25; 25-21; 23-25; 25-22 and 15 12), in a match described as an epic battle with neither team giving an inch with numerous ties and countless lead changes.

A visible jubilant captain of Anguilla Susan Tackling could hardly be contained. "I am extremely happy and very excited over this victory over a team where there have been always tough battles. I am even more proud of our young team who are probably tasting this type of victory for the first time," she said.

The BVI camp was visible upset. "This was a game that we clearly should have won but we lost momentum at the worst possible times and allowed them back in the game. At the same time Anguilla played a very good game and did not allow us to recover," stated Romney. Mr Potter agreed and regretted missed opportunities. "It was a match which we ought to have closed out given the opportunities that we had. However all is not yet lost for my team. We will give our uttermost best in our final game," he said.

Susan Tackling had a captain's performance with 28 points which included 26 spikes. On the losing side, Jacqueline Weeks led with 15 points.

In the final round of group play Antigua/Barbuda treated their home fans to some excitement with a come from behind 3-1 victory (24-26; 25-21; 25-18 and 25-15) over the BVI.

Needing only to avoid heavy defeat the Antiguans executed well on the night to capture the runner up position in group A and the right to play against Dominica to earn a final berth.

Talking after the defeat, Romney commented that they only had themselves to blame. "Our passing game fell away rapidly and as a result the opponents were given too many free balls that they took advantage of," she said.

In the Final, St. Lucia defeated Antigua/Barbuda 3-1 (17-25, 25-16, 25-21 and 25-16) to regain the East Caribbean Volleyball Championship title that they lost two years ago.

St. Lucia had to overcome a resurging St. Kitts/Nevis in a five set semi-final (25-20, 25-13, 24-26, 22-25 and 15-6). Antigua, on the other hand, proved the better team in a hard fought 3-1 (25-17, 25-19, 22-25 and 25-23) victory over Dominica.

The 3rd place match between Dominica and St. Kitts/Nevis was won by Dominica by the same score margin that they did in the group stage - 3-1 (21-25; 25 -20; 25-17 and 25-14).

Dania Hamilton of St. Lucia was declared the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the Championship. Hamilton led two of her team mates (Natalie Edwards and Indira Laurencin 68 points each) with 72 points and as a result won the award for best scorer. She was second in spikes to Susan Tackling of Anguilla compiling 62 to Tackling 63 over the tournament. Added to that, 47 digs with 12 faults placed her third in the digger’s category.

In the other categories, Suzan Tackling of Anguilla came on top in the Spiking and Receiving categories while Vanessa Burke of Antigua won the Best Setter award. The battle for Best Libero was won by St. Lucian Sancha Isadore with a 48 % success rate over Rosemarie Simon of Antigua who recorded a 46 % success rate. Samantha Mann of St. Lucia led everyone in the "Blocks" category with her teammate Indira Laurencin a close second. St. Vincent's LaDonna Woodley edged Antigua's Shauna Isaac and Dominica's Anna Maria Xavier for Best Server - a category that was also very close.