Suriname win again

KRALENDIJK, Bonaire, June 23, 2018 – Suriname remained on track to capture the inaugural title in the CAZOVA (Caribbean Zonal Volleyball Association) Under-23 Women’s Championship here tonight at the Jorge Nicholas Sports Hall, Bonaire.

After a nail-biting 16-14 victory in the deciding fifth set over Curacao when the tournament served off the night before, they came up against the less threatening Arubans and cruised home 25-18, 25-12, 25-12 in just over an hour.

Suriname won ten of the last 11 points to finish it off in style, right after relaxing with a commanding 10-1 lead and losing ten of the next 15.

A lapse in concentration had resulted in them blowing a 20-15 lead and losing the opener in what turned out to be a tricky match the night before. But Aruba did not have the firepower to make them pay.

Aruban coach Daan Kleinbussini was actually satisfied with his team’s performance and he admitted that “we knew they were the better team going in.” We executed well in the first set but could not keep up with them.”

Captain Nakisha Winklaar was proud of way they performed against higher quality opposition “in only their second match together”.

Victor Lesperans stated that “we came here to win all our matches and we have two to go.”

The Suriname coach was speaking about their clashes with United States Virgin Islands (at 11.30 a.m.) and Bonaire (at 8 p.m.) when the tournament ends tomorrow.

They will be favoured to win both and collect the gold medal in the straight round-robin competition.

Captain Sigourney Kame admitted that the opposition was not as strong as last night, but stated: “we were warned not to underestimate any team and we played with more confidence than in the first game.”

The powerful No. 12 led all scores with 18 points, comprised of 13 kills and five service winners.

The Arubans had beaten Bonaire in straight sets earlier in the day in their opening encounter, and they will face Curacao (at 9.30 a.m.) and USVI (at 6 p.m.) today.

Curacao stay alive in Bonaire

KRALENDIJK, Bonaire, June 23, 2018 – Curacao pocketed the two most one-sided sets of the first six matches as they won for the second time today to keep their hopes alive of being crowned champions of the inaugural CAZOVA (Caribbean Zonal Volleyball Association) Under-23 Women’s Championship at the Jorge Nicholas Sports Hall, Bonaire.

The commanding 25-7, 25-17, 25-6 triumph in 64 minutes over their hosts in the fourth and final match of the second day followed a four-set victory over United States Virgin Islands (USVI) to begin proceedings.

However the unbeaten Suriname, straight-set winners over Aruba tonight after they were pushed to the limit to edge Curacao in five the night before, are in the drivers’ seat for the gold medal.

But Curacao and USVI still have a chance to win the five-team straight round-robin competition.

If USVI get the better of Suriname at 11.30 a.m. in the second of the four matches on tomorrow’s final day, all three teams will more than likely finish with three wins each.

The team with the best sets won/lost ratio will then be awarded the title.

So USVI will not only playing for themselves, they will also be playing for Curacao.

Curacao will oppose Aruba in the first match at 9.30 a.m., but coach Gilbert Paulina admitted after tonight’s one-sided victory that the second match is just as important.

Captain Sharnesca Esclodina also expects Curacao to beat Aruba and end up on the medal podium.

She scored nine points tonight, but was overshadowed on the scoreboard by teammates Jewengely Hart (12) and Anais Conradus (14).

It was the third defeat from as many matches in the tournament for Bonaire and they are unlikely to even win a set as their final match to bring down the curtain on the tournament will be against Suriname at 8 p.m.

Both Rudi Anthony and captain Jahena Angela, who left tonight’s game against USVI a few points before the final whistle after injuring her knee, stated they were proud of the team.

Coach Anthony speculated that they would have had a much better chance if it were an under-18 tournament as all of his players are between the ages of 13 and 17.