Thompson cops CAZOVA women's MVP award

T&T’s Channon Thompson was named the “Most Valuable Player” (MVP) of the tournament among her three individual awards after the “Calypso Spikers” recorded a ninth women’s title when the Caribbean Zonal Volleyball Association (CAZOVA) Senior Championship ended at the Kendal GL Isaacs National Gymnasium in New Providence, Nassau, Bahamas on Saturday night.

Thompson, who was also the MVP when T&T lifted the title in 2014, 2017 and 2018 played, also collected the ‘Outside Hitter 1’ and ‘Best Server’ awards as the Deon Hutchinson-coached T&T came-from-behind to defeat bitter rival and six-time tournament champions Barbados in their first clash in the finals since 2012, in four sets, 23-25, 25-23, 26-24, 31-29 in one hour and 46 minutes.

With the win, T&T, led by Delicia Pierre, added to their previous triumphs in 1996, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2017 and 2018.

T&T was also runners-up in 2000, 2002 and 2023, while they ended in the bronze spots in 1993, 1994, 1995 and 2004.

In addition to Thompson, T&T’s Kaylon Cruickshank, Natassia Baptiste, and Cheyenne Chin Choy all copped individual awards. Cruickshank captured the “Outside Hitter 2” accolade, Baptiste was named “Middle Blocker 1” and Chin Choy was the recipient of the “Best Libero” and “Best Receiver” awards.

The other awardees were Jamaica’s Anesia Edwards, “Middle Blocker 2”, Guadeloupe’s Thais Tomietto, “Best Setter”, Suriname Chelleney Soedamah, “Best Digger” and the Barbadian duo of Shonte Seale, “Best Scorer” and Ashley Jordan, “Best Opposite”.

Among the men, T&T’s Marley Davidson was named as the “Best Libero” and captain Daynte Stewart, the “Best Scorer” as they finished a disappointing sixth of seven teams and failed to add to their previous triumphs in 2010, 2014 and 2017.

However, by missing out on a top-three finish, it marked the first time since 2002 that T&T had failed to secure a podium finish in the tournament, having ended in the runner-up spot in 2006 and 2012 while they got bronze in 2004, 2008, 2018 and 2023.

In the final, Curacao captured their first CAZOVA volleyball crown with an invincible run capped off by its 25-21, 25-23, 25-16 victory over hosts Bahamas.

Earlier, Jamaica ended a bitter tournament for the ousted 2023 kings, Suriname, as the Jamaicans grabbed the bronze in a bruising contest, 25-23, 33-31, 29-31, 29-27.

CAZOVA Individual awards

Men:

Outside Hitter 1 – Kyle Wilson (BAH)

Outside Hitter 2 – Akeel Oxley (BAR)

Middle Blocker 1 – Shanari Hepburn (BAH)

Middle Blocker 2 – Carlos Isenia (CUR)

Best Server – Ryck Webb (JAM)

Best Setter – Ronald Rice (BAR)

Best Libero – Marley Davidson (TTO)

Best Receiver – Anferney Schmeltz (SUR)

Best Digger – Peggy Bariol (GDP)

Best Scorer – Daynte Stewart (TTO)

Best Opposite – Zefanio Breinburg (SUR)

Most Valuable Player – Derwin Colina (CUR)

Women:

Outside Hitter 1 – Channon Thompson (TTO)

Outside Hitter 2 – Kaylon Cruickshank (TTO)

Middle Blocker 1 – Natassia Baptiste (TTO)

Middle Blocker 2 – Anesia Edwards (JAM)

Best Server – Channon Thompson (TTO)

Best Setter – Thais Tomietto (GDP)

Best Libero – Cheyenne Chin Choy (TTO)

Best Receiver – Cheyenne Chin Choy (TTO)

Best Digger – Chelleney Soedamah (SUR)

Best Scorer – Shonte Seale (BAR)

Best Opposite – Ashley Jordan (BAR)

Most Valuable Player – Channon Thompson (TTO)