Nothing to be ashamed of
Jamaica’s female senior volleyball team returned from the World Championship Qualifiers, failing to qualify for the World Championships.
Even though they did not make the grade and clinch a spot in the global championship, their effort is being deemed a “valiant” one, which led to them taking home the bronze medal.
In their first game against favourites Canada, the Jamaicans lost 25-09, 25-10 and 25-10.
Their next encounter saw them dominating their game against the US Virgin Islands, winning 25-22, 25-14, 25-19.
The following day, they went up against Mexico, the winner scheduled to meet Canada for top spot of the group. But as it turned out, Mexico were too strong and blew away Jamaica 25-11, 25-16, 25-21.
Jamaica, having lost out on a chance to qualify for the World Championships, then played US Virgin Islands once more in the bronze medal match. In that game, Simone Asque and Tahlia Bishop dominated the serving for Jamaica, which helped the team to victory 25-13, 25-10, 25-11.
Throughout the competition, Sasha-Lee Wallen and Lecia Brown were unstoppable in defence as they were strong executing the blocks to prevent opponents from scoring freely.
Bishop was fantastic in terms of spiking and the Asque sisters were also a formidable force in defence. Team Manager Jennifer Evans said overall the players did well, and with more preparation and exposure, this young group of players could be unstoppable in the future.
Three Jamaicans won individual awards. Wallen and Brown both secured the Best Blocker titles and Simone Asque the Best Server award. Additionally, two Jamaicans ranked in the top five best performers at the tournament. Simone Asque was ranked at third, while Bishop was put at number four.
Major Warrenton Dixon, school development manager, said the individual awards show that, with the right investment of financial resources and quality administration, “our players will be numbered among the best in the world”.
Jamaica now turn their focus on the Caribbean Volleyball Championship, which takes place from July 17-29.
