The Caribbean Zonal Volleyball Association (CAZOVA) Women's Beach Olympic Qualifier served off amidst much pomp and circumstance as the ladies spared no effort diving about in the sand at Ocho Rios Bay Beach to win every possible point for their countries.
Forty-eight women from 24 teams, two from each of the 12 countries, donned their national colours as they competed for one of six qualification spots to the next round of the qualifiers.
Home team Jamaica (JAM) had no issues getting pass Guadeloupe (GDP), in front of enthusiastic Jamaican supporters. JAM A, comprised of Kai Wright and Florida-based Daniele Perry, scored a 21-6, 21-2 victory over GDP B.
Jamaica "B," - JAM B - comprised of Sashalee Wallen and Canada-based Alicia Malcolm, won comfortably.
In other matches, Curacao "A" (Cur) defeated Martinique "B" (MQE) 21-15, 21-15; CUR B defeated MQE A 22-20, 17-21, 15-13; Suriname "A" (SUR) defeated US Virgin Islands "B" (ISV) 21-19, 21-16; SUR B defeated ISV A 21-17, 21-14; GDP A defeated Aurba "B" (ARU) 21-18, 23-12; GDP B defeated ARU A 21-12, 21-15; Haiti "A" (HAI) defeated Bahamas "B" (BAH) 21-12, 22-24, 15-4; HAI B defeated BAH A 21-12, 21-10; Barbados "A" (BAR) defeated CUR B 21-13, 21-15; BAR B defeated CUR A 21-18, 21-9; Cayman (CAY) defeated Sur B 21-7, 21-8; SUR A defeated CAY B 21-19; 21-17; in the Golden Set (tiebreaker) CAY A def SUR A 15-13. and Trinidad and Tobago "A" (TTO) defeated HAI B 21-12, 21-17. and TTO B defeated HAI 21-11, 21-17.
Major Warrenton Dixon, who is Chairman of the tournament's Control Committee appointed by the NORCECA Volleyball Confederation, brought greetings on behalf of NORCECA’s President, Cristobal Marte Hofiz. Dixon commended JaVA for accepting the challenge of hosting the qualifier after NORCECA and CAZOVA tried for several months to find a host without success.
“Based on my observation and the discussions among the Control Committee, you have put together a very well organized tournament in only six weeks,” Dixon told the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) during the Technical Meeting yesterday.
His pronouncement was supported by Tournament Director, Arnaldo Sanchez, who also spearheads the much vaunted NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour.
“This is a superb tournament from an organizational standpoint,” the Puerto Rican told the Jamaica Volleyball Association (JaVA) President, Rudolph Speed. “I am very interested in hosting legs in the NORCECA Beach Tour here. Just say when,” Sanchez continued.
Matches resume on Saturday May 2, 2015 with elimination games beginning at 9am EST, Jamaica.
The semi-finals and finals will be played on Sunday and followed by an after-Party.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Courtesy Jamaica Volleyball Association
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