Jamaica claim double bronze at CAZOVA Champs

JAMAICA’S NATIONAL senior men’s and women’s volleyball teams secured bronze medals at the recently concluded CAZOVA Senior Men and Women Volleyball Championships, hosted at the Sir Kendal G.L. Isaacs Gymnasium in Nassau, Bahamas.

The championships showcased determination and national pride as Jamaica’s men and women battled against the region’s best and delivered medal-winning performances.

Jamaica’s men fell in the semi-finals to the eventual champions, Curacao, setting up a highly anticipated bronze medal showdown with dethroned 2023 champions Suriname. The matchup carried extra weight as Suriname had eliminated Jamaica in the 2023 quarter-finals before going on to win the title, and had also handed Jamaica a loss in preliminary pool play at this year’s championship.

This time, however, Jamaica rewrote the script in a thrilling contest that pushed both teams to the limit.

Jamaica triumphed 3-0 (25-23, 33-31, 29-31, 29-27), earning a hard-fought bronze medal and redemption against their rivals.

Adding to the team’s success, Ryck Webb was recognised for his outstanding performances during the championship, claiming the award for best server.

Jamaica’s women entered the competition with high expectations but were edged out in the semi-finals by eventual winners Trinidad and Tobago. Despite the setback, the team rallied to ensure they would not leave the tournament empty-handed.

In the bronze medal match, Jamaica delivered a confident and composed performance, defeating Guadeloupe in straight sets, 25-10, 25-21, 25-23, to secure their place on the podium.

Anesia Edwards was rewarded for her stellar consistent play, earning the distinction of second-best middle blocker.