Bermuda’s strong indoor performance was the highlight of their opening day in volleyball at the NatWest Island Games in Jersey.

The women, competing in the A pool, struck first, defeating home side Jersey 4-1 in a hard-fought match with scores of 25-15,19-25, 25-17, 25-16.

“It was a really great game,” Juanita Blee, the coach, said. “The women started off strong against a determined group from Jersey.

“It’s great to have such great competitors. Our team is young and it was their first game, so it has helped settle their nerves.

“We now need to prepare for our next game against Aland, who will really test the team.”

Andy Lewis, the Jersey coach, said: “It was a hard game for us, Bermuda played well and we made too many errors.”

The Bermuda men also had an impressive showing in their pool B, with a defeat of Shetland, winning 25-18, 25-12, and 25-21 to complete the sweep.

“The men are young and gaining experience with each match,” Elisabeth Rae, the team manager, said.

Meanwhile, on the sand, Bermuda’s beach volleyball pairs had mixed results.

The women’s team of Lisa LeBlanc and Rebecca White lost both of their games, going down to Gotland 21-11, 21-17, before Menorca beat them 21-7, 21-7 in the afternoon.

The men, meanwhile, opened with a 21-9, 21-10 win over Isle of Man before Gary LeBlanc and Eric Haller lost to Cayman 21-12, 21-13.

While Gary LeBlanc and Haller get a rest tomorrow, Lisa LeBlanc and White are back in action against Aland.