Bermuda women won the island’s first first-ever medal at the Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association Under-21 Beach Volleyball Championships when they clinched bronze in St Kitts & Nevis.

Hailey Trott and Isabella Sousa secured third position at the tournament after Antigua and Barbuda were forced to forfeit the bronze-medal match after Jassania Joseph picked up an injury in the first set.

Bermuda’s pair of 16-year-olds had fought hard in the semi-finals, losing 2-1 to Ketrice Jules and Marie Therese St Claire of St Lucia.

Sousa, who was representing Bermuda for the first time, was pleased with her achievements.

“I am really proud of our finish this week,” Sousa told The Royal Gazette. “The training leading up to the tournament was incredibly valuable, sharpening my skills and boosting my overall performance. It feels great to see that hard work pay off in the sand.

“It was very special as well to practice and train with other countries and meet new people. I’m very proud to represent Bermuda.

For Trott, the chance to represent Bermuda in beautiful settings proved an invaluable experience.

“Playing volleyball in St Kitts for six days was an absolute blast,’’ she said. “The sandy beaches and tropical vibes added so much fun to the game.

“The friendly players and the island's relaxed atmosphere made every match enjoyable and memorable.

“It was a perfect mix of sports and paradise, creating an unforgettable experience that I would love to relive again.

“The sound of the waves crashing in the background as we spiked and served, the sun shining down on the court and the team spirit we built over those days made it an incredible volleyball experience that I'll cherish for ever.”

Meagan McPeek-Tyree, coach of the bronze medal-winning team, was also pleased with the opportunities presented to coaches and players before the start of the tournament.

“This was a gruelling but extremely rewarding week,’’ McPeek-Tyree said.

“The knowledge-transfer portion including athlete training and deep dives into coaching theory and best practices allowed for significant technical and tactical improvement leading up to the tournament across all countries.

“The whole level of play was raised and it showed in some very competitive matches in the tournament.

“The girls played extremely well, their focus and commitment to working their strengths through the match was so consistent.

“Beach volleyball is not only physically demanding, but also requires sharp focus and the ability to rebound mentally through heat exhaustion while staying confident and positive with your partner.

“The girls worked on every aspect and although they are still quite young, they fought to a podium finish. I couldn't be more proud of them to bring home a bronze in this championship.

“St Kitts were gracious hosts, the relationships and support of each other that the players and coaches developed over the week was inspiring. ECVA continues to promote our athletes, growth and representation.

“I am grateful to be a part of these athletes’s journey and I am thankful for all the work their programme coaches have put into these athletes.

“We are also thankful for the incredible support from their families and the Bermuda Volleyball Association for opening these opportunities to our country's athletes.”

Riley Morbey and Marcus Rodrigues, who made up Bermuda’s men team, settled for sixth position out of 13 sides.

Rodrigues found the tournament challenging and enriching at the same time, gaining plenty of knowledge about the sport.

“This week was really intense but rewarding,’’ Rodrigues said. “The tournament was a great test of our skills and I learnt a lot about staying focused under pressure.

“The extra training sessions helped me refine my technique and I feel more confident going forward. It was a challenging week, but I definitely grew as a player.”

Morbey found the event an eye-opener, which gave him an insight into what he has to work on.

“The tournament pushed my limits and revealed areas for improvement,’’ the 18-year-old said.

“The training sessions were focused and productive, leading to noticeable progression in my techniques.

“Overall, this experience was a great opportunity to test my skills and gain valuable information for future development.

“It was very special as well to practice and train with other countries and meet new people – I’m very proud to represent Bermuda.”

Meanwhile, Lisa LeBlanc, the BVA co-president, has congratulated the two teams for their part in raising Bermuda’s ranking.

“I am so proud of both teams participating in the Under-21 ECVA Championships held in St Kitts,’’ LeBlanc said.

“They have not only improved their own skills and experience, but also have boosted Bermuda’s ranking, which is beneficial for placement in future tournaments.

“I am honoured to have coached and guided these players over the years, and seeing their hard work and commitment pay off is extremely gratifying.

“The girls Bronze medal is the highest youth-place finish Bermuda has seen and follows our first-ever silver and bronze medals in 2022 also from two women’s Under-23 teams.

“The continued improvements we see year after year justifies the investment both monetary and voluntary from the BVA, coaching staff, parents, government and other community support.

“I look forward to watching more success from these four athletes and others in years to come.

“I would also like to thank and congratulate the two coaches, Meagan McPeek-Tyree and Mark Hamilton, for their dedication in attending the weeklong FIVB beach coaching programme prior to the tournament.

“This has added to our certified accredited coaching numbers. We will use these building blocks for more success in the future.”