Trinidad & Tobago equal Barbados six CAZOVA titles

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad, August 10, 2014 - France-based Darlene Ramdin led three players in double-figures as Trinidad and Tobago “Calypso Spikers” crushed Jamaica 25-12, 25-13, 25-12 in the Women’s Division final of the 15th Senior Caribbean Zonal Volleyball Association (CAZOVA) Championship at the Jean Pierre Complex, Mucurapo.

The win for T&T led by first year head coach Nicholson Drakes was a historic one in many ways.

Firstly, it was the first title triumph on home soil by the Kelly-Anne Billingy captain team after finishing third in 1993 and second in 2002 in tournaments won by Barbados.

In addition, the victory which came in 72 minutes was a record fifth straight (2006, 2008, 2010, 2012 and 2014) to go past Barbados which won in 1998, 2000, 2002 and 2004) as the teams with the most wins on the trot, while both teams now have the same amount of titles overall as well, six.

For T&T, Ramdin had nine kills, three blocks and three kills in her 15 points output and she was well supported by fellow France-based starlet Channon Thompson with 12, inclusive of ten kills while Marisha Herbert added ten.

Based on their tight battle in the round-robin phase which the host won in four sets, highlighted by an hour-long third set contest, the final was expected to another close affair.

However, it was not the case as the 31^st world ranked “Calypso Spikers” dominated the Jamaica “Riddim Girlz” to lead 35-14 on spikes, 10-2 on blocks and 6-1 on service aces while committing only 20 errors to their opponent’s 24.

Despite the loss, Jamaican captain, Simone Asque was upbeat and said her team set itself a goal of reaching the final from the start of the competition which it achieved.

“It’s the first podium finish for our women in ten years, so we are happy with that, but overall our performance was too ordinary. T&T made it difficult for us to play while the crowd support was also great for their team” Asque said.

An elated Kelly-Anne Billingy said her team was happy to accomplish its goal of a record fifth straight title to equal Barbados with six titles overall.

“During the tournament I don’t think we played our best volleyball and tonight the girls really stepped it up a bit by saving their best for last. We are thankful for the extra energy the fans brought,” Billingy said.

Jamaican coach Ortnel Findlay was quick to admit that his team’s passing and the crowd support made it very difficult for his team to play.”

“I know my girls did not play their best, but they can still hold their heads up high with a second place finish.”

Drakes after capturing his maiden crown as coach said he was happy to see the improvement of the team from the first match to the final.

“As the tournament went along we had to make adjustments and tonight our serving, passing and blocking was at a level that we have come to expect, which made it difficult for Jamaica.”