TT women capture 7th CAZOVA crown

The “Calypso Spikers” saved their best game for last as they started with high intensity and maintained that level from the start to finish.

The hour-long final saw TT overpowering the host team 25-12, 25-16, 25-10. TT ’s most experienced player Krystle Esdelle led the way with 14 points including 10 spikes and three aces.

Also contributing was Channon Thompson who retained her Most Valuable Player award this tournament with 11 points. Darlene Ramdin and Sinead Jack chipped in with 10 and nine points respectively.

Suriname defeated Guadeloupe for the bronze medal 3-1 (25- 15, 24-26, 25-17, 25- 22). The tournament`s top scorer Surinamese Sandrina Hunsel led her team with 31 points while Leslie Figere-Turiaf top scored for Guadeloupe with 19 points.

An elated TT captain Renele Forde said, “It feels great to be champions once again, it was a smooth final. I`m really proud of the team and their efforts because we played like the best in the Caribbean.” After collecting her MVP award for a second consecutive time Channon Thompson said, “It feels great but a pleasant surprise, I anticipated winning the best server award gaging from my performance throughout the tournament. I am happy, thank God of course, and my team for supporting me and I’m really happy to have contributed towards the ultimate goal of winning. None of the individual awards would have been possible without each other.” The 23-year-old Francebased player continued, “Special mention to the coach and technical staff for their guidance also to the Minister of Sports Darryl Smith for his words of motivation before the final match as well as the public Trinidad and Tobago for their fire, enthusiasm and support from Grand Prix straight to CAZOVA.”

TT will host one of the three groups of the FIVB Round Three elimination later this year. The first group will be staged in Canada from September 26-30; Trinidad and Tobago will host the second from October 4-9; while the third will be held in the Dominican Republic from October 11-16. The top two teams in each group will qualify for the 2018 World Championship that will run from September 29 to October 20.

Special Awards for TT players: Most Valuable Player/ Best Server/ Best Outside: Channon Thompson Best Blocker: Sinead Jack Best Opposite: Krystle Esdelle.