Billingy gets US$120,000 schol offer

TRINIDAD and Tobago’s ace volleyball hitter Kelly-Ann Billingy has been offered a US$30,000 per year scholarship at the Siena University, Albany, New York.

The offer came from the university’s coach Garvey Pierre following another impressive performance by the Holy Name Convent student, when a Trinidad and Tobago team completed a 3-0 victory over SU in their opening match of a goodwill tour at the UWI Sports and Physical Education Centre yesterday. Billingy, voted “Most Valuable Player” at the recently-concluded Caribbean Zonal Volleyball Association Junior Championships in Martinique, led the national team to a 25-22, 25-20 and 25-17 victory.

Following her showing Pierre said: “I am impressed with the kid (Billingy) and would like to offer her a full scholarship which is for four years. “It will cost about US$30,000 per year and includes everything,  tuition, books, living accommodation, volleyball training and playing for the university in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division One competitions. “But she must first of all meet  the academic admission requirements and she must like the place and want to join us.“ It’s a very good offer but everything is up to her and her family,” stressed the Haitian-born coach, who is commmissioned  to recommend four persons to the university’s academic board.

Pierre said Siena is based about two hours away from Manhattan and caters for high academic excellence as well good opportunities for players to improve their skills and reach the highest level. But Billingy has several other scholarship offers from American universities under consideration, including USC, North Alabama and Austin, Texas. And she plans to visit all campuses before making a final decision on where  she will pursue her academic and volleyball career. Meanwhile, the Seina University teams will take on the national juniors again at SPEC, UWI, from 9 am and the No 3 club team Challengers at the St Paul’s Street Multi-Purpose Complex from 7 pm. Tomorrow, the visitors will tackle Apex at the St Paul’s Street facility from 9 am and then travel to Point Fortin to play Point Fortin Slammers.