Volleyball: FIVB World Championships qualifiers – Africa zone 7, games two-Easy rides for Seychelles against Mauritius |29 July 2013

Social Affairs, Community Development and Sports Minister Vincent Meriton, community development and sports principal secretary Denis Rose, National Sports Council chief executive Giovanna Rousseau, Confederation of African Volleyball (CABV) technical official, Mauritian Kaysee Teeroovengadum and Seychelles Volleyball Federation (SVF) chairman Jude Florentine were also present to witness the Seychelles teams post their second wins in as many matches in the Africa sub-zonal (zone seven) 2014 FIVB World Championships qualifiers.

It was fitting that Seychellois Ronald Wong became the first person to be awarded the CAVB zone seven trophy for his devotion and contribution towards the organisation. Mr Teeroovengadum handed over the glass trophy to Mr Wong, who is a member of the SVF.

From the previous day’s (Friday’s) game one results – 3-1 (22-25, 25-20, 25-14, 25-18) for the women’s team and 3-0 (25-23, 25-13, 25-19) for the men’s – it was not a secret that Seychelles would run over Mauritius, but head coaches Nichol Lesperance (women’s side) and James Camille (men) did not take any chances as they paraded their strong teams in the opening sets.

Despite lapses of concentration, especially after having taken big leads thus letting their opponents close and even draw level on points, Seychelles won the matches in three sets.

Although France-based captain and setter Nathalie Agnes took a seat on the substitutes’ bench in the third set as young and diminutive Melina Crispin took over the setting duties, coach Lesperance’s team needed 69 minutes to win 3-0 (25-19, 25-23, 25-21).

As for the men’s side captained by Ian Furneau, they once again triumphed 3-0 (25-20, 25-18, 25-19) after 125 minutes of play against the Mauritians captained by Gilbert Alfred who had a spell in Qatar but now plays for Trou Aux Biches in their local league.

Female volleyballer of the year Berlira Jacqueline told Sports Nation she was happy with the team’s play on Saturday.
“We improved our game, made less mistakes than in our first match on Friday and our reception was much better,” said Jacqueline who is one of five Friends players on the team.
Men’s assistant coach François Ally said his team’s play went according to plan.

“We studied Mauritius’ play and then adjusted our blocks. Our attack was our strong point as the seasoned players made their experience count,” said Ally, himself a former Seychelles international and member of the team who won Seychelles its first Indian Ocean Island Games gold medal in 1993 at the same Palais des Sports.

The third matches were to be played yesterday although both Seychelles and Mauritius had already qualified for the second stage of the Africa zone seven qualifiers for the 2014 FIVB World Championships after the other countries declined to take part in the sub-zonal qualifiers.

The second stage of the qualifiers will be held in Mauritius, but the dates and playing format are yet to be revealed by the CAVB.
The winners of the second stage of the zone seven qualifiers will join 11 other teams from Africa – one from zone 1 and two from zones 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 – where they will be drawn into two pools of six. The two pool winners will represent Africa at the women’s World Championships which will be contested by 24 teams.

The Seychelles men’s team also have to beat Mauritius in stage two of the zone seven qualifiers to progress to the third round where they will join the other 11 African teams – one from zone 1 and two each from zones 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. Following a draw, the 12 teams will play in three groups of four and the three group winners will make it to world championships in Poland in 2014.

Hosts Italy have already qualified for the women’s world championships, while defending champions Russia, who will be looking for a third consecutive triumph, will also take part in the qualifiers.

The distribution by confederation for the 2014 FIVB women's world championships is as follows: Asia (four places), Africa (two places), Europe (nine places + Italy qualified automatically as host nation for a total of 10 places), South America (two places) and North, Central America and Caribbean (six places).

The distribution by confederation for the 2014 FIVB men's world championships is as follows: Asia (four places), Africa (three places), Europe (eight places + Poland qualified automatically as host nation for a total of nine places), South America (three places) and North, Central America and Caribbean (five places). Hosts Poland have already qualified.

G. G.