No Volleyball Qualifying Berth For Antigua and Barbuda

Antigua and Barbuda Men’s and Women’s volleyball teams failed in their bid to qualify for the Youth Olympic Games after both were denied in the semifinal round of the beach qualifiers here at the Fort James Beach on Sunday.
The women’s team, playing against Dominica in Sunday’s semifinals, lost 21-12 and 21-14 in straight sets while their men’s counterparts, went under to Grenada 2-1 in sets.
The Antiguans lost the first set 16-21 but rallied to win the second set 21-13. The comeback was short-lived, however, as the home team was beaten 15-13 in the deciding set.
The women went on to take the bronze, beating St. Vincent & the Grenadines 21-9 and 21-16 to take the third place battle by a 2-1 sets margin, while the men enjoyed similar success, beating St. Kitts 21-16 and 23-21 in the third place match-up.
St. Lucia was slated to face Dominica in the women’s finals while Grenada played St. Vincent & the Grenadines in the men’s finals on Sunday evening.
Earlier on Sunday, the Antigua and Barbuda men had defeated St. Lucia in Quarterfinals, winning 23-21 and 21-16 in sets to gain entry into the semis while the women had the better of St. Vincent & the Grenadines.
The top team from each division qualifies for the Youth Olympic Games slated for October 1 to 12 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Antigua and Barbuda was represented by Jahsun Josiah and Tejari Harvey in the men’s competition while Joseann Lewis and Aliya Alfred represented the twin-island state in the women’s division.
St. Kitts, St. Lucia, Grenada, St. Vincent & the Grenadines and Dominica competed alongside hosts Antigua and Barbuda in the men’s category while St. Lucia, Grenada, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Dominica and host Antigua and Barbuda battled in the women’s category.