St Jago, Knox claim rural U19 volleyball titles

ST JAGO High School and Knox College were crowned 2024 ISSA boys’ and girls’ rural under-19 volleyball champions, after victories over Frome and Manning’s, respectively, at the G.C. Foster College auditorium yesterday.

St Jago stopped Frome 3-0 to reclaim the men’s 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.

Byron Martin’s team were relentless in the second set, which they won 25-14.

Although the Westmoreland school showed some improvements in the third set, they were never a match for the marauding St Jago, who took the set 25-19.

Winning coach Martin said he expected nothing but victory on the day.

“I didn’t expect much of a challenge. Although the last time 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 but that is part of the game,” he said.

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

“St Jago is a good team and a whole heap of respect to Mr Martin. But there are no excuses on the day. Jago was the better team,” he commented.

Meanwhile, Knox College defeated Manning’s by the same score to retain their female title in a comfortable win.

Final MVP Treviann Taylor posted 10 kills, two blocks, three aces and had five balls defended.

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

Manning also started the third set, which they needed to win to stay in contention, quite well. But Knox, 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.

“I didn’t engage much in the game because the players acknowledged when they faulted and came up big,” he said.

He added that with the players’ growth and experience, he expects to go on and defend their national title as well.

“We have players that are more rounded, more experienced and they understand what they are fighting for.

“I had higher expectations (final) because I know their abilities. But the good thing is they picked themselves up and showed they are champions.”

Manning’s coach Lloyd Archer said inexperience got the better of them.

“I’m slightly disappointed. But this was our best performance of the season. Knox played well but we took them out of their element a lot of times. But we are inexperienced. This is our first final in a long time,” he said.