The United States Virgin Islands girls dominated Curacao Monday, securing their spot in the semi-finals at the Caribbean Zonal Volleyball Association’s (CAZOVA) 19U Volleyball Championships in Spanish Town, Jamaica.
The first set was nip and tuck, with ISV nursing a slim 8-7 lead. Then Vernecia Caines totally took over the game, starting with a powerful kill from her outside position. She then stepped into the serving box and served the next 13 points, including four aces, three digs, and a kill from the back row. ISV won that set 25-12. Things did not get much better in the final two games as Curacao surrendered 15 aces in the match. ISV won those final frames 25-10 and 25-12. Jayden Gorman led ISV in scoring with eight kills and six aces. Mya Brown missed the first match due to illness, but she made her present felt in this win hamming out six kills for the winners.
The U.S. Virgin Islands boys fought hard but dropped a five-set marathon match 25-23, 22-25, 26-24, 25-20, 11-15 to the host Jamaica. As the close scores indicate, this match had the entire gym on pins and needles until the end. The match started great for ISV, with Team Captain Gabriel Rosa serving the first four points of the set. Jamaica came back and kept the game close, tying the score at 22-22. Jared Brown came through with one of his 14 kills and Rosa served the final two points of the set. Jamaica won the second set and was on the verge of winning the third, holding a 24-21 lead. ISV skywalker Logan Rogers jump served the next five points, including two aces, winning that pivotal set for USVI. However, the boys from America’s paradise could not hold on and lost the match in five sets.
The girls have a three-day break before they play their semifinal match on Friday. The boys will play in the quarter-finals on Wednesday. Both teams’ opponents have yet to be determined.
Other results from the tournament:
- Barbados girls defeated Jamaica 23-25, 25-23, 25-17, 24-21.
- Trinidad & Tobago boys defeated the Cayman Islands 25-18, 25-13, 24-26, 25-20.
- Trinidad & Tobago boys defeated Barbados 25-22, 24-26, 26-24, 25-22.
To view the live action, click here.
Game Schedule – All Times Listed are in Atlantic Standard Time
Tuesday, July 30
3:00 p.m. Cayman Islands vs Barbados BOYS
5:00 p.m. Curacao vs Aruba GIRLS
7:00 p.m. Jamaica vs Trinidad & Tobago GIRLS
Wednesday, July 31, 2024
1:00 p.m. Men Quarter-final Match
3:00 p.m. Men Quarter-final Match
5:00 p.m. Women Quarter-final Match
7:00 p.m. Women Quarter-final Match
Thursday, August 1
5:00 p.m. Men Fifth Place Match
7:00 p.m. Women Fifth Place Match
Friday, August 2, 2024
1:00 p.m. Women Semi-final Match
3:00 p.m. Women Semi-final Match
5:00 p.m. Men Semi-final Match
7:00 p.m. Men Semi-final Match
Saturday, August 3, 2024
12:00 p.m. Men Third Place Match
2:00 p.m. Women Third Place Match
4:00 p.m. Women Championship Match
6:00 p.m. Men Championship Match
