Antigua revenges over Bermuda to reach Final

ST. JOHN’s, Antigua and Barbuda, August 24, 2019 -  Antigua and Barbuda reversed a previous loss to Bermuda, with a hard fought 3-2(16-25, 25-18, 15-25, 25-21, 15-11), but most significantly,  reach the final of the Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) Under-20 Females Volleyball Tournament, here at the YMCA Sporting Complex.

The ding dong tussle had the partisan crowd at the edge of their seats, as they lapped up all of the five sets.

The win placed Antigua and Barbuda in the final, where their opponents will be St Lucia.

In overcoming the Bermuda, Antigua and Barbuda had their Captain- Nashea Browne, scoring 15 points, while Myrrisha Richards and Aliyah Smith, registered 10 and 9 points, respectively.

Lindsey Pacheco scored 10 points and Kaley Hamilton had 9 points, to be Bermuda’s best scorers.

Bermuda outdid Antigua Barbuda 6-5 on Blocks and 19-12 on Serves.

Antigua and Barbuda though, was credited with 53 errors from Bermuda, who reciprocated with 56.

Conceding that the match was a “tough” one, Antigua and Barbuda’s Head Coach- Rixon Joseph complimented his players, for not giving in when they were down.

“It is a good feeling … We played a good games, but we had to fight to win… I kept reminding them that they were two sets down to St Lucia, and came back and won the game”, Joseph revealed.

Joseph is anticipating a similar duel once again versus St Lucia.

Concurring with Joseph was team Captain- Hashea Browne, who praised her team mates for staying in the match, even when they trailed.

Browne promised ahead of the final: “We are going to bring the same energy when we meet St Lucia”.

In his evaluation of his team’s loss, Bermuda’s Head Coach- Gary LeBlanc, thumbed: “Had we reduced our errors we would have won”.

LeBlanc said that his team was fully prepared to be bombarded by the home support, which his players managed to ward off well.  

Meanwhile, Bermuda’s Captain- Ashley Horseman thought that the match could have gone either way.

“We played our hearts out… It was tough, as the game could have gone either way and it went in their favour”, Horseman reasoned.

“We could have played a lot better than we did, but we played the best that we could “, the Bermuda Horseman added.

Both LeBlanc and Horseman agreed that taking the bronze will be fitting way to end their campaign in the tournament.

Bermuda and Saba will contest the third place play off, which precedes the St Lucia versus Antigua and Barbuda final.