The United States Virgin Islands (ISV) U21 Women’s Volleyball Team, current champions of the Caribbean Zonal Volleyball Association (CAZOVA), secured a place at the U21 Women North, Central America, and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation (NORCECA) Continental Championship. This championship serves as the second of three phases in the Federation of International Volleyball (FIVB) global tournament aimed at crowning the world’s top U21 women’s volleyball team. The tournament champion will earn an automatic bid to the U21 World Championship in 2025.

The ISV U21 team was one of eight NORCECA countries to advance to the continental phase of the FIVB tournament, competing alongside teams from the United States, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, and Suriname. The event took place in Toronto, Canada, from June 23 to July 1.

Head coach Isaac Raphael had high hopes that the two-week training camp in Orlando would prepare the team for the intense competition. “We have a young team, and we are looking forward to seeing them perform at this level. It’s going to be a tough competition, but I believe that is the way you improve,” Raphael stated in an interview during the event.

ISV faced a challenging start, losing their first-round matches against Mexico (25-13, 25-8, 25-15), Canada (25-18, 25-11, 25-7), and Costa Rica (25-21, 25-19, 25-20). Despite the losses, team captain Anna Gillens and player Mya Brown showed strong performances, with Gillens scoring 9 points against Mexico and Brown leading with 7 points against Canada.

After a rest day, ISV played a rematch against Mexico in the classification matches. Despite changes to the lineup, Mexico again won in straight sets (25-15, 25-14, 25-17). Gillens and Eddy were standout players, with Eddy continuing to excel in blocks. In their final match, ISV triumphed over Suriname, a familiar opponent, securing a 25-13, 25-19, 25-16 victory and finishing seventh in the tournament.

The USA team claimed the NORCECA title, securing an automatic spot in the 2025 U21 World Championship. Among the individual accolades, Krystal Eddy, a 2024 Ivanna Eudora Kean High School graduate, was honored as the top blocker of the tournament.

ISV Team Members and Staff at NORCECA Tournament:

• Players:
  • Mya Brown
  • Sapphire Cruz
  • Jala Dixon
  • Krystal Eddy
  • Anna Gillens
  • Jayden Gorman
  • Sophie Hertz
  • Hailey Pierce
  • Sarai Simpson
  • Jahyra Thomas
  • Zyia Toussaint
  • Mya Vigilant
• Coaching Staff:
  • Isaac Raphael – Head Coach
  • Myriam Rodney – Assistant Coach
  • Vanessa James – Statistician
  • Gisele Schjang – Team Manager

The team is set to continue their busy schedule, with both men’s and women’s teams from the U.S. Virgin Islands heading to the U19 CAZOVA Championship in Jamaica from July 26 to August 4.

Kevin Krigger has been on a roll this week, entering Sunday’s Independence Day Races with two consecutive wins on the mainland United States.

The St. Croix jockey added to his victories on Sunday, riding “Pure Speight” to triumph in the main event, the Lt. Governor’s Cup, at the Clinton E. Phipps Race Track on St. Thomas. This marked Krigger’s 14th win in 53 starts this season, with “Pure Speight” covering the 1 1/16th mile feature in exactly 1 minute and 46 seconds. The feature’s $30,000 purse was the biggest this season for Krigger, who now boasts three wins in four starts in 2024 at Phipps Race Track.

It was also the second victory at Phipps Race Track for “Pure Speight,” owned by St. Thomas’ Knight Racing Stables. On May 3, Krigger rode “Pure Speight” to win the Albert “Boysie” Benjamin Cup, the final event of the 2024 St. Thomas Carnival Races, the first horse races in the territory since August 2017.

“Pure Speight” defeated Tortola’s “GhostInYou,” the odds-on favorite and winner of the Governor’s Cup Race, owned by Lesmore Smith. “Run On The Trail” finished third.

Other Feature Races on Independence Day

• Love City Classic: “Macuco’s Choice,” owned by St. Thomas’ Black Label Racing, secured its second win at Phipps Race Track this season. Ridden by Joshua Rodriguez, “Macuco’s Choice” outpaced “Malibu Mandate” in the 1 mile, 40 yard feature, with “Protector” coming in third. This was Rodriguez’s second win in 36 starts.
• Six-Furlong Feature: “Barrio San Jose” from No Limits Stables, St. Thomas, took the feature race, having previously won the Enrique “Ricky” Ashby Cup in May. “Barrio San Jose” triumphed over Tortola’s “Risk vs. Reward” and “Imperiously,” winner of the Administrator Bonnie Bonita Cup in May.
• Feature for Mares and Fillies: “Bingo Star,” ridden by Winston Hurst Jr. for Black Label Racing, won the 1 1/16th mile race in 1:49.2, defeating “Faster N Blazes.” “Irish Prophecy” placed third, marking Hurst’s second win of the day.
• One-Mile Feature for Class C and D Horses: “Axxxerator,” with Kenneth Pilot aboard, won in its debut at Phipps Race Track, beating “Trisomia” and “Cemile.”
• One-Mile Feature for Class C and D Non-Winners: “First Degree,” ridden by Hurst, won for the first time, defeating “Call Bros” and “Zagga.”
• Six-Furlong Feature for Native Horses: “Jada Esco” from St. Croix won in its debut, besting “Lucky Emblem,” the Prince Crystal Trophy winner in May, and “Downbeat,” both from St. Croix.

The U.S. Virgin Islands Soccer Federation (USVISF) is set to hold a free continuing professional development workshop for soccer coaches on St. Thomas this weekend. Scheduled for Saturday, July 6, the event will take place at the University of the Virgin Islands’ Elridge Blake Sports and Fitness Center, specifically in Room 222.

The workshop aims to enhance the skills and knowledge of local soccer coaches, fostering better coaching techniques and strategies that can be applied to various levels of play within the territory. This initiative is part of USVISF’s ongoing efforts to promote the sport and improve the quality of soccer training in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Participants will engage in a series of sessions led by experienced soccer professionals. Topics covered will include advanced coaching methodologies, player development strategies, and the latest trends in soccer training and performance analysis. The goal is to equip coaches with the tools necessary to cultivate and develop local talent, thereby raising the standard of soccer in the region.

According to the USVISF website, this workshop is part of a broader commitment to community development and sports excellence in the U.S. Virgin Islands. By providing free access to such high-caliber training, the federation hopes to make significant strides in the local sports community.

This workshop also reflects a growing recognition of the importance of continuing education for coaches at all levels. With the ever-evolving nature of sports science and coaching techniques, ongoing professional development is essential for coaches to stay updated and effective in their roles.

The event underscores the federation’s dedication to fostering a vibrant and competitive soccer environment in the U.S. Virgin Islands. By investing in the development of coaches, the USVISF aims to build a solid foundation for the sport, ensuring that players receive the best possible training and support.

For those interested in attending, further details and registration information can be found on the USVISF’s official website and through their contact email and phone number provided. This is a prime opportunity for local coaches to enhance their skills, network with peers, and contribute to the growth of soccer in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The federation continues to make strides in promoting sports and community engagement, and this upcoming workshop is a testament to their ongoing efforts. As soccer gains popularity in the region, initiatives like this are crucial for sustaining its development and success​.