The Antigua and Barbuda Amateur Volleyball Association (ABAVA) has named preparatory men’s and women’s squads ahead of the country’s hosting of the 2024 Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) championships in October.
The association’s indoor facility located at the YMCA Sports Complex in St John’s, will host the women’s tournament from October 17-20, while the men’s championships will be held one week later from October 24-27.
Coach and former national player Olsen Joseph will take charge of an 18-member women’s training squad and will be assisted by Jacqueline Ladoo, Dairyllis Cruz–Perez and Ismay Caraballo. The squad is spearheaded by setters Allisha Jno Baptiste, Anjelina Morris-Silston, Jaya Carr, Elizabeth Smith and Naveah Robertson.
Also included are outside/opposite hitters Alliyah Smith, Jassania Joseph, Josanne Lewis, Zellene Edwards, Sharon Tessa Payne, Tia Walker, Jahzara Donovan and Nashea Browne. The squad is buoyed by middle blockers Mali Nyota Peters, Rayana Regis, Kwansia Carr, Alexis Tomlinson and Rihanna Browne while liberos Sharifa Simmons and Rosemarie Simon complete the selections.
Meanwhile, another former national player, Carl Williams, has been appointed head coach of the men’s team. He is being assisted by Michael Hamilton, Braulio Estrada and Joelle Thomas.
The list of selected players are setters Barrymore Daley, Miguel Pena-Lugo, Stefan Warren and Dave Rouse. Also included are outside/opposite hitters Jamarie James, Erwin Mathurin, Khaliq Joseph, Jedidiya Christian, Brendan Hopkins, Kylon Cabrall, Adrian Constant and George Freeland. Middle blockers Dwight Bonnie, Cairon Davis, Ronel Richards, Delron Frederick, Trevor Ambrose, Jervon Carbon, Shamar Bannis, Kemarni Joseph and Amali Mannix have also been included, while liberos T’mar Seaman and Yashid Auguiste round off the selections.
Teams have been in training since early August.
A minimum of nine countries will participate in both the men’s and women’s tournaments. Included are defending women’s champions St Lucia while Antigua and Barbuda are defending champions in the men’s division.
