Jamaica will improve, says volleyball coach

Coach of Jamaica's senior women volleyball team, Dr Ricardo Chong, admitted that his players were a bit nervous in the opening game of the CAZOVA championships but will improve.

Jamaica defeated the US Virgin Island 25-16, 25-18, 25-17 for a 3-0 result in the feature match on Wednesday evening at the National Indoor Sports Centre.

"I kind of expected it, a little bit of nervous. I am also expecting the team to get better during the tournament," Dr Chong told The Gleaner yesterday.

'There is always a possibility of winning the championships. Trinidad and Tobago (the defending champions) looked impressive during their game," he continued.

"They (Trinidad and Tobago) have weaknesses that can be exploited, but we are going to take it one game at a time," Jamaica's coach added.

The eight participating teams have been placed into two groups. In Group D are The Bahamas, Martinique, Guadeloupe and Trinidad and Tobago. In Group E are hosts Jamaica, CuraÁao, Suriname and the US Virgin Island.

At the completion of the preliminary round, the top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals. The six-day will end on Monday, July 31.

The championships will continue today with four games. At 1 p.m. - The Bahamas vs Guadeloupe. 3 p.m: CuraÁao vs US Virgin Island. 6 p.m. - Trinidad and Tobago vs Martinique and 8 p.m: Jamaica vs Suriname.

The Jamaica team is: Simone Asque (captain), Kiara Irving, Cherie Thompson, Aiko Jones, Danaisha Moss, Sashalee Wallen, Kai Wright, Renae Temple, Tasha-Gaye Richards, Breanna Atkinson, Tahleia Bishop and Sasha-Lee Thomas.

The championships' main sponsors include the Ministry of Sports, the Sports Development Foundation, Jamaica Tourist Board, Hi-Lite and Lifespan Water.