Cayman Islands Volleyball Tournament Impresses International Body

Association Looks to 2020

The Cayman Islands Volleyball Federation (CIVF) is already looking ahead to 2020 after a successful, action-packed weekend hosting the 10^th Cayman NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tournament. Thrilled with the turnout of local fans and the feedback from NORCECA, the CIVF team is enjoying the moment but also looking ahead to how to make the event even bigger and better in 2020. Officials from NORCECA, the regional govrning body for the sport, were impressed with the level of organisation and professionalism of the competition and the positive response from the players, who always enjoy the Cayman stop on the NORCECA Tour.

“The Cayman Islands event was excellent,” said Ed Drakich, NORCECA Competition Director and President of the NORCECA Beach Commission. “The venue was fantastic, the volunteers and court personnel were very professional and the shuttle transportation was excellent. Overall, this was one of the finest NORCECA events that I have ever seen.”

The tournament featured 36 teams from 16 countries playing more than 80 games across the three days. Four Cayman teams – two men’s and two women’s – competed. Jessica Wolfenden/Stefania Gandolfi placed ninth overall and Marissa Harrison/Ilean Powery finished 13^th overall in a field of 18 teams while Casey Santamaria/Jesse Parham and Richard Campbell/Nathan Dack finished tenth and 17^th respectively out of 18.

In the men’s games the gold medal match featured Cuba facing off against Mexico. The Mexican team of Lombardo Ontiveros and Juan Virgen defeated the Cuban team of Sergio Reynaldo Gonzalez Bayard and Luis Enrique Reyes Rodriguez solidly in both games by dominating the net, 21-18 and 21-14. Nicaragua team (Mora/Lopez) beat the USA in a 3-match battle (18-21, 21-19, 18-16) to take the bronze medal.

On the women’s side, the Cuban team of Leila Consuelo Martinez Ortega and Mailen Deliz Tamayo overcame Brittany Hochevar and Carly Wopat of the United States, beating them in two straight games 18-21 and 19-21. The bronze medal was taken by the second USA team (Martin/Fonoimoana) defeating Mexico (21-14, 21-18).

Kennedy McGowan, President of the Cayman Islands Volleyball Federation was extremely pleased with the overall tournament and the quality of the play.

“There were some very exciting, nail-biting games in both the male and female divisions. It’s world-class volleyball.” McGowan said. “We were thrilled that so many came out over the three days to see and enjoy the event and also very thankful for all the support from our corporate community who made hosting the event possible once again.”

The 2019 NORCECA Beach Volleyball Cayman Tournament was sponsored by DART, Ministry of Sports, CI Olympic Committee, Sunshine Suites, Corona, Kelly Holding, Salt Technology Group, Ministry of Tourism, FLOW, Generali, Island Heritage, Aquafina, Calico Jacks, BritCay, ACE, Hurley’s Media, AI Rentals, Cayman National, Smoothie King, Bogle Insurance, Fast Signs and Pinnacle Media.

For more information log on to www.civf.ky or email [email protected].