Antigua & Barbuda welcomes St. Kitts & Nevis with defeat in straight sets

ST JOHNS, Antigua, August 29, 2019 - St. Kitts & Nevis first time entry to ECVA Junior Volleyball Championship was marked by a straight set defeat to home team Antigua & Barbuda 25-17, 25-13 and 25-18.

It took the hosts a little over an hour to claim their first victory and although it was not as easy as it seemed, they persevered to record an all-important win in a competition that was reduced from 6 teams to 4.

Both teams relied on errors to bolster their scoresheet. St. Kitts & Nevis being the rookies to the tournament contributed 48 of Antigua’s match tally of 75 while earning 26.

St. Kitts & Nevis enjoyed the advantage in the spiking column leading 19 to 14 while Antigua & Barbuda led in blocks 4 to 1 and a whopping lead of 9 to 2 in service points.

Two scorers ended with 10 points, the only ones to get into double figures. Opposite hitter Zedan Clarke led the way in the St Kitts & Nevis team. On the other had it was middle blocker Harvey Tejani who grabbed the 10 points for the winners. No one else got close to double figures.

In summing up the game coach Olsen Joseph of Antigua & Barbuda said it was not as easy as it looked. “St. Kitts & Nevis definitely put up a fight and at the same time our guys are still trying to get comfortable with new roles and new positions. Having said that we must make adjustments quickly because St. Vincent and the Grenadines as well as St. Lucia will pose a greater challenge,” he noted.

His opposite number in Coach Shawn Seabrookes was actually quite pleased despite the loss.  “I am very proud of my guys. They have demonstrated that they have heart and fundamentals. With those elements and continued exposure they are going to get to very high levels. Apart for the unforced errors I cannot say that I am upset, I have to admit that I am pleased with the performance”, he said.

Captain Elkreen Morton agreed with his coach. “This team is only one year old right now, we came out and did what we were asked to do and above all we enjoyed it”, he said.  

St. Kitts Nevis next plays St. Vincent on match day 2 while Antigua and Barbuda will tangled with St. Lucia.