St. Croix Central High School welcomed Eulalie R. Rivera School (ERRS), John H. Woodson (JHW), Pearl B. Larsen (PBL), Good Hope/Country Day School (GH/CDS), St. Croix Educational Complex (SCEC), and Sts. Peter & Paul School (SPPS), from St. Thomas to the Caribs 2023 Middle School/Junior Varsity Volleyball Championships this past weekend.
The Middle School Girls’ Division matches proved to be very exciting. Pearl B. Larsen Lady Dolphins defeated the other two schools in their pool in the opening round, earning them a spot in this division’s championship game. John H. Woodson went into the playoff round, having lost both of its matches in the first round. But JHW Lady Warriors lived up to their name and battled to beat Eulalie R. Rivera Lady Rams in the semi-finals and proceeded to conquer the PBL Lady Dolphins in the championship 25-11; 20-25; 17-15. The MVP in this division was Akira Christopher of JHW.
The Middle School Boys’ Division wasn’t as dramatic as PBL, fresh off winning the Good Hope/Country Day Junior Varsity Male Division the weekend before, coasted through this event in impressive fashion. JHW defeated GH/CDS in the semi-finals, where PBL awaited them. The Dolphins simply overpowered the Warriors, winning the championship match 25-7; 25-12. PBL’s Nyack Nathaniel was the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.
Four teams entered the Junior Varsity Girls’ Division. GH/CDS Lady Panthers were on a mission after falling in the championship game of their own tournament one week prior. The Panthers took care of St. Croix Educational Complex, St. Croix Central High School, Sts. Peter & Paul School in the first round, securing their spot in the championship game. In the semi-finals, SCEC Lady Barracudas got their revenge on SPPS, who beat them in the preliminary round, setting up a rematch of the Championship match of the GH/CDS Tournament. This time, the Lady Panthers pounced on the Lady Barracudas and showed no mercy in their 25-14; 25-13 victory in this Championship Match. Arianna Tutien of GH/CDS was the tournament MVP.
GH/CDS Panthers went undefeated in the tournament but their competitors didn’t make it easy for them. SCEC defeated Central High School in the semi-finals, punching their ticket to the championship game against GH/CDS. The Barracudas gave their all but the Panthers of GH/CDS proved to be too much and won the final match of the tournament 25-21; 26-24. Cai Gwilliam of GH/CDS was the JV Boys Tournament MVP.
