Guadeloupe scores convincing victory

GRAND CAYMAN, Cayman Islands, November 13, 2016 - Guadeloupe turned in another command performance when Group C action in the first round of the CAZOVA qualifying series for the 2018 FIVB Women’s World Volleyball Championship continued here at Clifton Hunter High School.

After whipping Bahamas in straight sets in the first match of the round-robin tournament the day before, the highest ranked of the four teams overwhelmed No. 11 Bonaire 25-15, 25-14, 25-10 in a tick over an hour.

The most dominating spell by the sixth-ranked team in CAZOVA came at the start of the third set when they won ten straight points after losing the first two.

The streak was only broken by a Misha Minfir serve into the net, but they then went on a 6-0 run to virtually put the icing on the cake.

Bonaire’s coach Leo Richardson stated that his players would have put up a serious fight if they did not commit so many unforced errors.

He is also “confident that we would win tonight” against the seventh-ranked Bahamians in the penultimate match of the tournament.

The winner of this clash would advance to the second round as Bahamas defeated Cayman Islands in today’s second match after Bonaire had taken down the hosts the night before.

Bahamas’ triumph yesterday ensured Guadeloupe the first of two qualifying places into the second round of CAZOVA (Caribbean Zonal Volleyball Association) qualifying in Jamaica in July.

After his team’s victory, coach Pascal Douglas stated: “I am very proud of my players” and pointed out that they had travelled for two days to get there. Captain Delphine Stephen admitted that the players were tired, but were focused on going after “another victory tonight.”

Guadeloupe will face Cayman Islands, the lowest-ranked team in the tournament at No.12, in the final match and are heavily favoured to finish with an unbeaten record and the gold medal.