Men’s Volleyball: Grenada Defeat Bermuda 3-1
The Bermuda’s mens volleyball team began competition in the NORCECA 2018 World Championships Qualifiers in Grenada, with the host country defeating Bermuda 3-1.
NORCECA’s match report said, “Grenada came from a set down to beat Bermuda 3-1 [18-25, 25-18, 25-23, 29-27], to thrill those who were present at the Laborie Indoor Facility, to witness match number two of Group B of the NORCECA Zone FIVB World Championships Qualifiers.
“It was edge of the seat action as both teams fought hard to take the ascendancy, with Grenada four employing fierce attacks from their Outside Hitters.
“On the other hand, Bermuda engaged some studious defending to blunt the Grenada’s offence.
“Grenada’s scoring saw players racking up double digits, with Middle Blockers – Nikel John and Christopher Oxford, accounted for 15 points each. Outside Hitters – Jonell Phillip and Kevon Noel scored 13 and 12 points, respectively.
“For Bermuda, Outside Hitter- Daniel Fiddick and Middle Blocker- Eron Woods, both scored 12 points. Grenada was better in the Spiking department, outscoring Bermuda 50-34 and in Blocks 11-5. Topping the Blocks was Grenada’s Christopher Oxford who led with 6. Also Grenada benefitted from 49 errors committed by Bermuda, with Grenada offered 31.
Grenada’s coach Raphael Brathwaite expressed, “As the coach, I am really proud of my team, they played well, better than what I expected as we did not get any warm up matches coming into the tournament, but we had somewhat underestimated the Bermudians and were surprised at their standard of play”.
Acknowledging that it will not be an easy road for his charges against the experienced Kittian team, Brathwaite noted, “It is a must win match against St Kitts and Nevis and we expect them to be a tough fight”.
Brathwaite’s opposing number, John Gazzard recounting on his team’s first match analysed, “I thought we came out a bit flat and could not match their energy which caused the game to run away from us”.
“In our next game against St Vincent and the Grenadines, I am looking forward to the guys bring that potential on the court what I know they can do and show what they have “, Gazzard projected.
Next up is St Vincent and the Grenadines versus Bermuda in match three of the tournament.
