Suriname overcomes Guadeloupe in the U-23 CAZOVA Men’s opener

MALONEY, AROUCA, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, JULY 10, 2025: Suriname got off to a winning start in their bid to become the first champion in the Caribbean Zonal Volleyball Association (CAZOVA) Under-23 Men’s Championship hosted by the T&T Volleyball Federation (T&TVF) when they defeated Guadeloupe (3-1) at the Maloney Indoor Sports Arena.

Playing the opening match of the four-team tournament which also involves host country Trinidad and Tobago and Martinique, Suriname prevailed 25-23, 25-20, 24-26, 25-11 in a very entertaining contest to get the four-day tournament off to a positive start.

Speaking after his team’s victory Cuban-born Carlos Orta, Head Coach of Suriname men said he felt his team performed well.

Orta added, “My team worked well as a unit, and they did what they were supposed to do to get the win against an opponent we have never played before.”

“During the third set had some difficulties, but we made the needed adjustments to come out on top with the win and now we are looking forward to the next match.

Gayetann Broussillon, Head Coach of Guadeloupe men said her team was very prepared for the match but did not execute well.

“Our concentration level in the first two sets was not where it needed to be and in the third set, we were able to get the win.

“But overall, I think we lacked the experienced to get the points in the crucial parts of the game as we are a young team, but we will expect to do much better in our next match,

Host Trinidad and Tobago face off with Martinique in the second match tonight while on Friday, Martinique and Suriname meet from 3 pm followed by Trinidad and Tobago versus Guadeloupe at 6pm.

Then on Saturday’s final day of round-robin matches, Guadeloupe and Martinique clash from 1 pm while Trinidad and Tobago faces Suriname in the final pool match from 8 pm.

At the end of both the round-robin series, the top two teams will square off for the gold medal on Sunday, July 13 final day of competition at 6 pm, while the third and fourth placed teams will contest the bronze medal, also on the final day at 12 noon.