The Saint Lucia Volleyball Association this week named its team to contest the 2014 North and Central America and Caribbean (NORCECA) World Championship Qualification Tournament – Round 2 Group J in Curacao.
The team will compete against the host nation Belize and Antigua in round robin competition Saturday and Sunday, with the medal matches Sunday evening.
The winner of this round will progress to Round 3, another step closer to the 2014 FIVB World Championships in Italy.
Saint Lucia’s team has five changes from the side that won the 2012 Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association Super 8 women’s tournament last November. Experienced middle blocker Natalie Edward takes over the captaincy from setter Gifta Dujon-Francois, who was omitted on this occasion.
Setting duties will fall to Tramaine Chassang, Cindy Wilson and young debutant Skye Mondesir. The team has its third different libero in as many tournaments: Jamilla Lansiquot will want to follow predecessors Sancha Isidore and Kashima Noel, both of whom captured Best Libero titles in Saint Lucia’s last two outings. Lisa Casimie and Susie Sylvester are out of the team, replaced by Kerin Neptune and Latoya Edward, the latter a welcome returnee to national play.
The attack will revolve around Barbados-based power hitter Dania Hamilton, Most Valuable Player in Saint Lucia’s last two competitions, Indira Laurencin and Tyna William, playing her second regional competition. Samantha Mann, best blocker last time out, will anchor the defense.
Team Saint Lucia is accompanied by three officials: head coach Florian Combie, team manager Jean Morille and international referee Terry Faisal. Thirty-eight national federations registered teams to participate in the NORCECA qualification process towards the World Championship in Italy in 2014. Six women’s sides from NORCECA will qualify to Italy.
Upon their return, Saint Lucia’s ladies will continue to prepare for the 2013 NORCECA Continental Championship in the USA next September.
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