The Paradise Hitters under-13 blue team proved the pick of Bermuda’s six volleyball squads at the Nike Boston Volleyball Festival.

The talented girls team picked up silver bracket medals after winning six of their eight matches and finishing thirteenth of the 75 teams in their age group.

Made up of students from Bermuda High School for Girls, Warwick Academy and Saltus Grammar, the young athletes delighted head coach Sean Tucker.

“Coming into this tournament, the team showed many elements of high-quality volleyball and with all the pressure from this event, the girls stepped up to the stage and played phenomenally,” Tucker said.

“All aspects of their game met the challenges faced, and led to an amazing six wins and two close losses, including a 16-14 defeat in the third set.

“We are overly proud of this team’s accomplishments and effort they left on the court. They really had a fantastic time playing with emotion and grit. All their hard work in Bermuda really paid off.”

The under-12 girls team also performed with credit, winning three of their seven matches and finishing thirteenth of the 34 teams in their division.

Head coach Kamryn Martins praised her team for their efforts in a competitive age group.

“The under-12 Paradise Hitters put on a strong performance, showing grit and determination on the court,” Martins said.

“The team kicked things off with two impressive wins out of three matches on day one and the momentum carried them into day two, where they fought hard and secured one victory out of three matches, earning them a spot in the competitive silver bracket.

“In the silver bracket, the Paradise Hitters narrowly lost in a thrilling third set, 16-14. Although the result didn’t fall in their favour, the girls played with heart, skill, and unwavering team spirit.

"We couldn’t be prouder of how they handled the pressure and played as a team. This was an unforgettable experience for all of us and the tournament journey reflects the team’s dedication and growth. The experience gained this weekend is sure to fuel their future success as they continue to develop their skills and passion for the game.”

The under-14 girls team finished 59th of the 75 teams, picking up one win in their seven matches, while the under-16 team were placed 55th of the 93 teams in their category, winning three of their seven matches.

Cailey Longworth, head coach of the under-16 team, was pleased with the fight among her team after a poor start.

“The team faced tough competition on day one, resulting in three losses,” Longworth said.

“Despite the setbacks, the athletes maintained a positive attitude, learning valuable lessons in every match, with coaches emphasising the importance of perseverance and using the experience to grow as a team.

“The following day, the team came back with determination. They dominated their opponents, securing victories in all three matches. The squad's hard work in practice paid off as they displayed exceptional teamwork and a renewed sense of confidence. The energy and enthusiasm demonstrated the team's ability to bounce back and perform under pressure.

“Coach Valerie Martins and I are proud of the progress and growth demonstrated throughout the tournament”

Winning medals in the bronze bracket were the under-14 boys, who were victorious in four of their seven matches and ended the tournament eleventh of the 17 teams, with the under-16 boys team finishing seventeenth of the 37 teams after coming out on top in three of their eight matches.