Despite missing out on the gold medal, T&T junior men’s volleyball had their best ever showing at the tenth Caribbean Zonal Volleyball Association (CAZOVA) Under-21 Championship, with a silver medal at the Sir Garfield Sobers (Wildey) Gymnasium, Bridgetown on Sunday night.
This after the Marlon “Waldo” Phillip led T&T team went under to host Barbados 15-25, 19-25, 22-25. T&T previous best showing was third, both in 2009 and 2011 while for Barbados it was a second straight lien on the title and fourth overall.
Leading the way for the Bajans was captain Andriy Stapleton who ignored a side strain injury to score a team-high 15 points. The consistent Adam Niles added 13 and middle Carlos Cyrus ten, with none being sweeter than the final point slammed through the centre court to take the gold.
Once again T&T went to their points maker Philip and he did not disappoint, racking up 22 points, to end with a total of 160 points.
Curaçao took the bronze by outlasting Haiti 25-20, 22-25, 25-23, 22-25, 15-13 with Shruendy Valeriano scoring a match high 33 points, Marlison Kleinmoedig, 21, and Gideonis Eisden 17. Haiti was led by Denilson Paul who made 19 points and Love Cothiere adding 17.