SVG senior volleyballers quest World Championships’ third round

St Vincent and the Grenadines senior volleyballers will be seeking to advance to the third round of the FIVB World Championships, when they contest Group E of the NORCECA qualifying zone this week in St Lucia.

The Vincentians will pit their skills against outfits from Dominica, Antigua and Barbuda and St Kitts and Nevis at the Beausejour indoor facility.

Coach of the St Vincent and the Grenadines team Brian Burke is anticipating a good showing from his charges.

Despite not having the type of preparation he wanted, Burke said, “We expect to do well  … We have players who are experienced at different levels … We just have to work on the team chemistry, as there are a few new players”.

Respecting his team’s opponents, Burke noted: “All the teams, we know them and have been playing them for a number of years and we know St Kitts and Nevis has a lot of very experienced players, but once we gel, we will do well”.

St Vincent and the Grenadines advanced to this phase, after placing second to St Kitts and Nevis in Grenada last year August.

However, Burke will have to do without the services of former captain Cassius Franklyn, as well as Brendon Smart and Shevron Cain.

Franklyn has migrated to the USA, while Smart is on a basketball scholarship in Taiwan and Cain did not show up for practice.

In Grenada last year, Franklyn had received three awards – Best Scorer, one of two Best Outside Hitters and Best Receiver, with Smart copping one of two Best Middle Blockers’ awards and Cain – Best Setter.

With the loss of that trio, Daryl Franklyn, Travis Cumberbatch and Jahmal Small have returned to the team.

Also in the fold are Jad Martin and Deandre Quashie.

They are complemented by the others who made the Grenada trip last year, in Renaldo Franklyn, Asmond Franklyn, Delshun Welcome, Marcus Thomas and Kemaul Lee.