PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) — Six-time women’s champions Barbados lost in straight sets on Sunday to Suriname to finish fourth, their worst ever finish at a Caribbean Zonal Volleyball Association (CAZOVA) Championship.

In the third place play-off at the Jean Pierre Complex, Barbados were brushed aside in just 80 minutes, going down 25-12, 25-22, 25-15.

Barbados’ previous worst finish came in 1996 and in 2010 when they had to settle for third place on each occasion. At the last championship two years ago in St Croix, the Barbadians were losing finalists.

There was no such luck on Sunday, however, as Suriname dominated them 44-25 on kills and 7-2 on service aces.

Their attack proved docile with only the outstanding Shari Matthews getting into double figures with 16 points.

For Suriname, Sandrina Hunsel scored a match-high 23 points, which included 21 kills, while Sigourney Kame added 11 points and Morena Leter, 10 points.

In the corresponding men’s game, Curacao defeated dethroned champions the Bahamas 25-15, 17-25, 25-23, 25-21, to make a strong finish to the tournament.

For the winners, Derwin Colina top-scored with 20 points, while veteran Gilbert Paulina weighed in with 16 points.

The Bahamas were led by Byrone Ferguson who scored 16 points, laced with 12 kills and four blocks, while captain Prince’tanique Wilson chipped in with 10 points.