T&T, Cayman Islands stay unbeaten in Girls U-19 qualifiers

BLACKROCK, Tobago, May 25, 2024.- The duo of host Trinidad and Tobago and Cayman Islands both ended the opening day of the Caribbean Zonal Volleyball Association (CAZOVA)/Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) FIVB World Championship Under-19 Beach Volleyball Qualifiers with unbeaten 2-0 records in the five-team round-robin series.

With only the winner of the round-robin series securing a direct ticket to the FIVB World Championship main draw and the second and third placed teams to the qualification draw all participating teams knew the important of a positive start in the two-day qualifying event with the aim of qualify to the grand tournament in China from August 27 to September 1.

And at the end of the first day of competition which was briefly interrupted by rain due to the passing of a Tropical Wave, host Trinidad and Tobago duo L’fe Roberts and Meeka Johnson, veterans of the Commonwealth Youths Games at the same venue last year also made an impressive start beating Arubans Nayah Whitfield and Davy-Ann  Eduards 2-0 (21-16, 21-15), followed by a similar 2-0 (21-10, 21-2) triumph against Grenada’s Celine Hankey and Makayla Mason.

Not to be overshadowed, Joanna Robinson and Luna Ebanks of Cayman Islands defeated Aruba 2-0 (21-9, 21-10) and Barbadians Jewel Austin and Marilyn Gill 2-0 (21-9, 21-7) to improve to a 2-0 mark as well from their first two matches.

Both Barbados and Aruba ended the day with 1-2 records after the latter won their duel 2-0 (21-19, 21-17) while Grenada is without a win.

On Sunday, Barbados has one match left to play against Trinidad and Tobago, while the latter also faces Cayman Islands who will meet Grenada in their other encounter as well. Grenada and Aruba also face off in the other match on the day, but with no chance of any team advancing.

CAZOVA/ECVA FIVB World Championship Under-19 Beach Volleyball Qualifiers results:

Saturday:

Girls Under-19 results:

Joanna Robinson/Luna Ebanks (CAY) bt Naya Whitfield/Davy-Ann Eduards (ARU) 2-0 (21-9, 21-10)

Jewel Austin/Marilyn Gill (BAR) bt Celine Hankey/Makayla Mason (GRN) 2-0 (21-17, 21-9)

L’fe Roberts/Meeka Johnson (TTO) bt Naya Whitfield/Davy-Ann Eduards (ARU) 2-0 (21-16, 21-15)

Joanna  Robinson/Luna Ebanks (CAY) bt Jewel Austin/Marilyn Gill (BAR) 2-0 (21-9, 21-7)

L’fe Roberts/Meeka Johnson (TTO)  bt Celine Hankey/Makayla Mason (GRN) 2-0 (21-10, 21-2)

Naya Whitfield/Davy-Ann Eduards (ARU) vs Jewel Austin/Marilyn Gill (BAR) 2-0 (21-19, 21-17)

Sunday’s matches:

Jewel Austin/Marilyn Gill (BAR) vs L’fe Roberts/Meeka Johnson (TTO)

Celine Hankey/Makayla Mason (GRN) vs Joanna Robinson/Luna Ebanks (CAY)

L’fe Roberts/Meeka Johnson (TTO) vs Joanna Robinson/Luna Ebanks (CAY)

Celine Hankey/Makayla Mason (GRN) vs Naya Whitfield/Davy-Ann Eduards (ARU)