The 10th annual Labor Day Invitational Volleyball Tournament on St. Thomas turned out to be a memorable one this weekend as the first V.I. male team made its way to the finals.
In a thriller Sunday at the UVI gym, Club V.I. went up against Club USA 1 in the semifinals and took the first set 25-15. But Club USA came back and won the next two sets, 25-22, 25-22.
With their backs against the wall, Club V.I. fought a hard match and took the fourth set 27-25, sending them to a fifth and decisive set, where they went on to the 15-8 win.
In the finals, Club V.I. met a very determined Club USA 2, who took them out in straight sets, 25-18, 25-21, and 25-16.
While it’s easy for Club V.I. to focus on that final championship loss, tourney organizers said the experience could still be a stepping stone for future tournaments.
In the female division, Club Alumni defeated Club V.I. in five sets — 25-16, 18-25, 25-19, 21-25 and 17-15 — to take the championship.
Most Valuable Players for the tournament were Alvaro deLugo (Club V.I.) and Valissia Brathwaite (Club V.I.)
other items of note included:
–top blockers for the tournament were: Shimoi van Holten for Club V.I. and Lisa Thomas for Club V.I.
–top hitters were: Alvaro deLugo for Club V.I. and Valissia Brathwaite for Club V.I.
–top setters were: Chris Lishko for Club USA and Karissa Brathwaite for Club V.I.
–top passers/diggers were: Theodore Dorsett for Club V.I. and Christi Yonemura for Club Alumni; and
–top servers were: Rob Tupuritis for Club USA 2 and Liz Corey for Club Alumni.
