First Caribbean Diamonds win 2010 BVA Mixed volleyball champs

The First Caribbean Diamonds returned as champions of the Mixed Division volleyball competition organized by the Belize Volleyball Association from June to August, which climaxed in championship finals and a trophy night at Belize City Center on Saturday night, August 21.

The BVA congratulates the winners of the very successful Open tournament which featured over 90 exciting matches in 6 divisions.  Individual medals were awarded to the 1^st and 2^nd place in the female U-15 (Mini Stars Burgundy, Mini Stars Green), U-17 (Little Jaguars, Little Stars), U-19 (Codicader, SQ Stars).

First Caribbean Diamonds won over the 3-time defending champions, Team 313, in 2 straight sets, 25-23, 25-23 to become the 2010 Mixed Champions. First Caribbean’s Wallace Tillett, Albert Humes, Mario Aguilar and Victor Hernandez spiked home attacks on balls set by Sherylee Thurton and Gina Requena. Allan Sharp, Patrick Bennett, Shantell Arnold and Nolan Michael led the Team 313 counterattack as they tried to survive to a 3^rd set, hammering kills on balls set by Jasmine Anderson and Babsy Cadle. Veteran Paul Perriot and David Vasquez joined the party, but First Caribbean’s Mario Heredia and Glenn Smith reinforced the bankers’ attacks to win the 2^nd set: 25-20 and the championship.

The 15-time defending champions, Moen Stars, clinched their 16^th title by playing their best game of the season when it mattered most. They beat the undefeated Lady Jaguars, 3 sets to 1, 25-16, 21-25, 26-24, 25-20.

The upstart Home Protector Rebels outlasted 2-time defending champions, Scorpions in a classic championship game for the ages requiring extra points in the deciding set to decide the 2010 champion.  Final score 3 sets to 2, 25-23, 25-23, 21-25, 18-25, 19-17.

After an exhibition All-Star game featuring teams Belikin and Lighthouse, individual trophies and team trophies were distributed and individual awards were also presented.

In the mixed division, the Best Server award went to First Caribbean’s Sherylee Thurton; while the Best Receiver award went to Team 313’s Elton Anderson. The Best Setter award went to Team 313’s Tanesha Encalada; while the Best Attacker was Team 313’s Patrick Bennett and Best Blocker went to Team 313’s Paul Perriott. Best Defense and MVP award went to First Caribbean’s Albert Humes.

In the Female division: the Best Setter award went to Lady Jaguars’ Tanesha Encalada; while the Best Attacker award went to Lady Jaguars’ Barbara Cadle. The Best Blocker was Lady Jaguars’ Shantell Arnold and the Best Defense award went to Stars’ Vivianne Avila. The awards for Best Server, Best Receiver & MVP went to Stars’ Sherlene Johnson.

In the Male Division: Best Server went to Scorpions’ Arvid Arnold; while Best Receiver & Best Defense awards went to Rebels’ Keegan Ack. The Best Setter was Mirab’s Kevin Thompson; while the Best Attacker award went to Scorpions’ Germaine Audinett. The awards for Best Blocker & MVP went to Rebels’ Tarike Cambell.

The BVA extends a special “Thank You” to all sponsors and the sponsors of the teams, all those who assisted with the fund-raising, to the officials, and especially to all the tremendous fan support.

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