Team BVI finished a disappointing 8th as the ECVA Senior Women’s Championship concluded on Sunday 13, July, 2014 in Oranjestad, St Eustacious, with defending Champions, St Lucia retaining their Title. Photo: Provided

Coach of the BVI team Roy Barry cast the blame on overall poor team play. Photo: Provided

After a sluggish start in the first set in which BVI drew close St. Lucia changed gears and literally had their way in the remaining sets. Photo: Provided

French St. Martin came from one set down to defeat British Virgin Islands 23-25,25- 20, 25-18 and 25-10  in the opening encounter of the (ECVA) Senior Women Championship. 

After a close first game St. Martin took control of the other sets with greater domination coming as the games went on.  

Coach of the BVI team Roy Barry cast the blame on overall poor team play. "We had too many unforced errors and bad passes as a result the team never really lived up to their true potential and the St Martin was able to take advantage," he admitted. 

Captain Patricia Romney concurred with Barry and rues the lost of two of their better players who had to remain in BVI due to other commitments. 

Valerie Damaseau of team St. Martin dominated the score sheet with a game high 23 points comprising of 19 spikes 3 aces and 1 block. She was ably supported by Jacqueline Hodge who controlled the net with 10 blocks and added 12 spikes as well. 

For the losing side Sharonda Pickering poured in a tremendous effort gaining points blocking (4) spiking (7) and serving (2 aces) but all in vain. 

In the second game St. Lucia Made light work of Team BVI defeating them in straight sets (25-17, 25- 5, 25-10). 

After a sluggish start in the first set in which BVI drew close St. Lucia changed gears and literally had their way in the remaining sets. 

Coach of the BVI team Stephen Payne admitted that they came up against a superior team on the day. "The three main areas of the game, passing, blocking and attacking started poorly and got progressively worse and when that happens against a team like St. Lucia we did not stand a chance" he reported. 

The score sheet bore signs of complete dominance by St. Lucia. They doubled their opponents in spiking department 31-15. Then they controlled the net with blocks (9 -1) and dished out 9 service aces to BVI's one. BVI also gave up 26 points in team errors in contrast to 15 by St. Lucia. 

Samantha Mann had a game high 13 points for St. Lucia with Petal Isidore contributing 12. Meanwhile Lauren Welch gathered 6 points all from spikes to lead her teammates in a futile effort

To conclude their Tournament and in a match that lasted 74 minutes the BVI team were beaten by Antigua in straight sets (25-18; 25-21; and 25-17).

The score sheet showed parity between both teams in relation to service aces (5 to 5) but  Antigua/Barbuda led in spikes (30 to 20) as wells as blocks (8 to 2). 

Head coach of BVI was not extremely disappointed with the outcome. "We showed some improvement in many areas of the game but our blocking was not up to scratch and our attack was not consistent enough to get us over the hump," he assessed. 

Captain Patricia Romney concurred." It could have been a lot better for us but there were times when out game ebbed and flowed and the times when we hit a low, we just did not have that ability to come back  but they (Antigua/Barbuda) did not totally outplay us tonight" she said. 

For the BVI Lauren Welsh led with 9 points while Sharonda Pickering supported with 7. 

The Tournament was eventual won by defending Champions, St Lucia.