The St. Thomas/St. John Interscholastic Athletic Association 2024 Volleyball Season came to an end on Wednesday at Antilles School’s MCM Center with the Virgin Islands Montessori School and Peter Gruber International Academy (VIMSPGIA) and the Antilles School claiming all four division championships.
The Antilles Hurricanes varsity boys successfully defended their crown by sweeping both games in the best two out of three series against the All Saints Cathedral School Vikings. The first match of the series was played at the Digna Wheatley Gymnasium on the Ivanna Eudora Kean High School campus. The Hurricanes won that match in straight sets (25-19; 25-19; 25-9). In the second match, the Vikings came out strong, winning the first set (25-13). However, the Hurricanes came back in the second set with a (25-12) victory. The Hurricanes dominated the balance of this match, blowing through the final two sets (25-17; 25-9). Antilles School won their third consecutive St. Thomas/St. John IAA Varsity Boys Division Title.
Three teams in the Varsity Girls’ Division fought all season for league supremacy. The defending champions VIMSPGIA, the top seed going into the playoffs, Antilles, and the always dangerous Charlotte Amalie High School Lady Hawks were all evenly matched. In the first round of the playoffs, the Volts got by the Chicken Hawks in three sets (25-12; 25-18; 25-21). The Volts only needed two matches in the finals to still the Hurricanes. In the first match of the series, VIMSPGIA won (25-19; 25-19; 25-18). The Hurricanes came to play in the second match, pushing the Volts to five sets. However, the Volts were able to strive in the midst of the storm, winning this marathon match (25-17; 11-25; 23-25; 25-11; 15-8). The VIMSPGIA varsity girls earned back-to-back league titles.
In the only series where all three matches were necessary, it was the Lady Volts battling the Lady Hurricanes in the Junior Varsity Girls Division. The Volts came into the series with an unblemished record. The Hurricanes hoped the tide would change and they could finally beat the Volts. The Volts showed off their grit as one of their key players was out sick for the first match of this series. Down one starter, no problem, as the Volts found a way to win match one (21-25; 25-13; 15-10). The second match seemed automatic as the Volt’s missing starter was back. The Hurricanes dug deep, giving the Volts their first season loss (25-20; 20-25; 16-14). This set up a game 7-type final matchup between the two teams and they did not disappoint. VIMSPGIA won the first set pretty easily (25-18). The Hurricanes came roaring back, taking a 24-18 lead, just one point away from forcing a third and deciding set. But, the league’s best player walked into the serving box and brought the Volts all the way back, tying the score at 24 before she was done. The two teams went back and forth and neither wanted to give in. In the end, the Volts outlasted the Hurricanes. VIMSPGIA won the set (32-30). The Volts are the IAA Volleyball Junior Varsity Girls Champions.
Antilles School took on Sts. Peter & Paul School in the Middle School Girls Division. Antilles Blue Team was the third seed, and Sts. Peter & Paul was the fourth seed going into the playoffs. The Hurricanes upset Julius Sprauve School, while the Jaguars took down the undefeated Gifft Hill School. Antilles Blue won both games of this series. The score for the first match was (25-14; 25-22). The second match was (25-15; 25-18). Antilles Blue won the Middle School Girls Division.
