PARAMARIBO. Suriname, July 26, 2023.- Jamaican women defeated defending champion Trinidad and Tobago in a five-set thriller 3-2 (25-14, 25-23, 22-25, 15-25, 16-14) at the Anthony Nesty Sports Hall in Paramaribo.

The opening two sets Jamaica dominated, but the Soca girls fought back in the third and fourth set to force a decisive fifth set. Both teams were equally matched. In the decisive fifth set Jamaica capitalized on the unforced errors Trinidad and Tobago end of the game. Jamaica committed 36 unforced errors and Trinidad 46.

Outside hitter Mychael Vernon led with 24 points, joined by opposite and team captain Sashalee Thomas with 18 points. Opposite Esdelle had a game high 24 points and middle blocker Ross-Kydd contributed with 8 points.

The win for Jamaica means that they are undefeated and the defending champion Trinidad and Tobago is now tasted a defeat in this tournament.

Ricardo Chong, coach of Jamaica: “It’s been a struggle and we are here to play. We did not get any rest last night after the match against Suriname. This win show how much the ladies wanted this win so bad. I am very proud of them.”

Sashalee Thomas, captain of Jamaica: “This have been years in the making. We came in mentally strong. Our bond is unreal. We fight for each other and we don’t give up. I know our coach is very proud of us. It’s been a struggle and he’s been there since the beginning. And I am happy we were able to pull the win for him. This win is especially for him. And going forward we have to do this again, because we might meet them in the final.”

Kaylon Cruickchank, captain of Trinidad and Tobago: “We wanted the win as bad as they do. We knew that Jamaica is the hardest team to play. We both fought it out till the end. We will some and we win some. I prefer to lose now and not losing any other game after this one.”