Calvin Samuel (4)
Anguilla’s senior men’s volleyball team returned home on Tuesday, 15th August, after giving a good account of themselves in round two of the 2017 FIVB World Cup qualifiers. Though Anguilla placed 4th in the four-team tournament that was held in St. Lucia (August 11th to 14th), its team was able to bring home five (5) individual awards. Leading the charge was Mr. Kevin Gumbs aka “Tillay” who won the Best Libero, Best Digger and Best Receiver awards. Mr. Ian “Tucker” Connor was adjudged the best Setter and Mr. Jelani Lawrence won the Best Middle Blocker award.
While Anguilla suffered losses to St. Lucia (3-1), St. Marteen (3-0) and eventually to St. Martin (3-2), the players proved they were no pushover. Statistics from this tournament indicated that the dynamic duo of Ian “Tucker” Connor and Sherwin “Skywalker” Richardson scored the bulk of Anguilla’s points. However, the signs indicate that Calvin Samuel, Jelani Lawrence, Daren Webster, Aldus Frank, Omari Hamilton, Ricardo Gumbs, Rakeem Jones, Rashime Richardson and Aristo Richardson will soon alleviate the load.
The AAVA hopes to foster closer links with neighbours St. Martin and St. Marteen so that more practice games can be arranged – so that younger players can be groomed for both Indoor and Beach Volleyball.
The AAVA would like to congratulate the team for the spirited efforts and the individual awards won.
Special thanks are extended to Justus and Lester Connor for coaching the squad, the Sports Department for its financial support, and to the various work places of the players for the time given to allow them to participate in the championship.
– Contributed
