St Jago, Knox lift rural volleyball titles

St Jago High and Knox College were crowned 2023 ISSA boys' and girls' rural area under-19 volleyball champions, after victories over Frome High and Manning's School, respectively, at G.C. Foster College yesterday.

St Jago stopped Frome 3-0 to reclaim the boys' rural title they last won in 2022.

Lovelet Blake led the Spanish Town school with 20 kills, three blocks,14 service aces, 21 digs and two balls defended.

St Jago started the stronger team and despite some resistance from Frome, took the first set 25-17. The Byron Martin-coached team was relentless in the second set, which they won 25-14.

Although the Westmoreland-based Frome showed some improvement in the third set, they were never a match for St Jago, who took the set 25-19.

Winning coach Martin said he expected nothing but victory.

"I didn't expect much of a challenge although the last time the teams met at the St Jago rally they (Frome) beat us by a point.

"But I knew nobody would beat us in this competition. We had a few lapses (in final) but that is part of the game," he said.

Frome's Errol Smith said he expected a greater effort from his team but he was still proud of their season.

"There are no excuses, St Jago were the better team," he commented.

Meanwhile, Knox College defeated Manning's by the same score to retain their female title. Final MVP, Treviann Taylor posted 10 kills, two blocks, three aces and had five balls defended.

The Colin Rose-coached team turned in a dominant display to win the first set 25-8. Manning's showed greater resilience in the second period, with the lead changing hands on a couple of occasions but Knox prevailed 25-21 at the end.

Manning's also started the third set well but Knox College with their superior height and quality, eventually went on to win the set 25-17.

Rose said winning back-to-back rural titles is an outstanding achievement for his girls.

"This is a feat not many people have garnered. So it's really an amazing feeling right now," Rose said.

Manning's coach Lloyd Archer said his team's lack of experience was a big drawback.

"I'm slightly disappointed. But this was our best performance of the season. Knox College played well but we took them out of their comfort zone a lot of times. But we are inexperienced and this is our first final in a long time," he said.