Haiti dumps Bahamas out title race

COUVA, Trinidad, July 6, 2017 - Haiti created a big upset in Pool E of the 16^th Senior Caribbean Zonal Volleyball Association Men’s Championships (CAZOV) when they dumped former champion Bahamas from  medal contention 3-1 (28-26, 25-16, 16-25, 25-19) at the National Cycling Centre.

Both teams entered the final round-robin day with 0-2 records after losses to both ten-time winners, Barbados and Jamaica, and in need of a win to reach the quarterfinals with the loser to contest the playoff for positions seventh and eight.

The energetic Haitians were quick out of the blocks, and despite a dip in form in the third set, they held off the 2012 tournament champions to secure a spot in the quarter-finals against the second placed team from Pool D.

For Haiti, Claude Antoine had a match-high 21 points, inclusive of 17 kills and three blocks while Olson Lebrun added ten and the pair of Steneley Mesidor and Leslee Alexandre seven apiece.

Team captain, Prince’Tanique and Rajahl Moxey both had 14 points for Bahamas with Byron Ferguson, the next best scorer with 11.

Overall, it was valiant effort by the Haitians who outscored their opponents on spikes, 49-42 but were less effective on blocks, 9-10 and service aces, 3-4 while they also committed more errors as well, 33-30.

Commenting on the loss,Wilson. said, “We honestly didn’t execute our game plans at all during our matches. As a team we had very high expectations but our efforts were just not up to par and we now go back to work and come back again stronger.”

 Haiti captain, Irvens Benjamin said his team was very happy to get the win.

“We are going to continue to focus on each match by match as our aim is to get to the final.

“The guys are very motivated, but we must also stay calm and continue to play with passion.”

Covance Mortimer, coach of Bahamas did not hide his disappointment and said his team has a lot of work to do.”

“I am extremely disappointed, and sometimes you have to take a fall and get back up and that’s what we have to do . We will be back.“

Yves Larrieux, coach of Haiti expressed his satisfaction for his team’s display.

“I am happy because we played much better today and we still have a chance to get to the final.

“We looked at the two matches we played and worked on our mistakes and we now get ready for our next match.”