TT volleyball girls keep CZAOVA crown

TRINIDAD and Tobago captain Aisha Sealy and her jubilant team-mates celebrated an historic and hard-fought victory over arch-rivals Netherland Antilles, as they successfully retained the Caribbean Zonal Volleyball Association (CAZOVA) Junior Women crown in Martinique on Sunday night.

It was TT’s third lien on the coveted trophy and the Macsood Ali-coached team created history by becoming the first team to record back-to-back tournament triumphs, after their 2001 victory in Suriname. It took the combined set times of exactly 120 minutes for TT’s nerve-wracking come-from-behind 25-20, 16-25, 23-25, 25-22 and 15-9 victory and maintained their unbeaten record for two consecutive championships. The Trinidadians won the first set after 28 minutes of  exciting action as the Dutch girls stifled the attacking thrust by star player KellyAnn Billingy. Having successfully nullified Billingy’s firepower at the net, Netherlands took control and won the next two sets after 23 and 30 minutes of  riveting and compelling volleyball skills and strategy by both teams.

Sealy, the team’s setter, was superb with her distribution while Marina Camps was absolutely brilliant with her passes. Libero Jenna Ferguson never faltered in the backcourt as Trinidad and Tobago fought bravely and regained control as Billingy pounded the opposition with rapier-like smashes. Danya Augustus and Nadiege Honore provided solid blocking support at the net as TT drew level with a 25-22 fourth set win after 24 absorbing minutes. Tension was high in the fifth and decisive set. But the athletic Trinidadians showed they were fitter for the battle and Billingy unloaded six kills, which allowed the delighted Trinis to celebrate victory. They won the fifth set after 15 minutes. For her overall outstanding play, Billingy copped the 2003 CAZOVA Junior Championships “Most Valuable Female Player” and the “Best Female Hitter” awards, while Glamorgan Club teammates Jenna Ferguson and Marisa Camps collected the “Best Female Libero” and “Best Female Receiver’ awards respectively.