Marley Davidson led three players in double-digit scoring as Trinidad and Tobago outclassed Guadeloupe 3-1 (25-20, 25-20, 21-25, 25-17) to secure the bronze medal at the 2019 Caribbean Zonal Volleyball Association (CAZOVA) Junior (Under-21) Championship here in Riviere-Salee on Friday.
The bronze medal equalled T&T’s showing in 2009 in Guadeloupe and two years later in Jamaica.
Coming off an emotional and controversial five-sets semifinal loss less than 24 hours earlier to 2011 champions Curacao, Davidson scored 18 points, highlighted by 13 kills and five service aces, while Jerome Belgrove added 12, including eight kills and four blocks, and the feisty Georlani Austin added 11 laced with four aces.
Josiah Constant and captain Joshua Persaud added seven and five points respectively for T&T, who outscored Guadeloupe 37-29 on spikes and 11-5 on service aces and also committed fewer errors, 39 to 42, in the match.
For Guadeloupe, Damien Leveille led all scorers with 22 points, behind 17 kills, three blocks and two aces, while Alexandre Lancelot got 11.
Speaking after the win, T&T coach Peer Nassier said his team was lucky and happy to pull off the victory to get the bronze medal.
“We had an exceptional game as their opposite (Damien Leveille) is a very strong hitter and we had to make some tactical adjustments to contain him,” he said.
Nassier arrived at the match from the hospital with injured player Elijah Best, who had successful surgery on his left knee. He said Best’s presence in the stands to watch their final game, following his tournament ending injury on Sunday against Martinique, was a motivating tool to the boys.
“They have not seen him since his injury as he was warded at the hospital, so it was nice to have him here with the team which I believe helped to lift their game.”
Captain Persaud meanwhile, was quick to point out that it was hard for his team to lift themselves after the outcome of their semifinal encounter with Curacao.
“At a point in the match, we seemed to have lost our way and when he (Best) arrived at the venue we all felt a sense of motivation and wanting to get the win for him.”
Despite his injury, Best said he still felt the tournament was a good one for the team.
“It was disappointing to get injured in the first match, but my surgery went well and I was given great care by the hospital staff. As for my team-mates, I appreciated their support and it was nice to see them get the bronze medal, calling my name out so many times and using it as inspiration,” Best said.