Clio Phillip and teammate Ericka Gaspard wore wide smiles as the St Lucian pair celebrated a golden finish at the just concluded Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) Under-21 Beach Volleyball Championships, bringing home top honours in the women’s division after a flawless run on home sand.

“We feel great, we are excited, and we are happy. This is what we came to do...win the gold!” Phillip declared after the final in St Kitts and Nevis.

And win they did, with authority.

Phillip and Gaspard were in a class of their own throughout the tournament, storming through all five of their matches without dropping a single set. The highlight came in the final, where they outclassed Antigua & Barbuda’s Jassania Joseph and Jaya Carr 21-11, 23-21 to seal the title.

Though they were momentarily tested in the second set, which they trailed 19-20 in what could have forced a decider. But the St Lucian pair dug deep, their confidence holding firm under pressure.

“We really had to work hard in the last set, but our confidence allowed us to push through the last points," Gaspard noted.

Antigua & Barbuda’s Jassania Joseph and Jaya Carr accept their silver medal.

In the bronze medal match, Dominica’s Alyssa Bully and Joyan Pascal fought through a tense three-set battle to edge Anguilla’s Deandra Fleming and Lavesha Richardson 21-14, 20-22, 15-7, to round out the women’s podium.

On the men’s side, Dominica’s Mervin Mingo and Bill Frederick reaffirmed their dominance with a second consecutive ECVA title, as they dispatched St Lucia’s Rio Victor and Peter Emmanuel in straight sets, 21-17, 21-15.

The bronze medal showdown also delivered drama, as Grenada’s Zerick and Hamilton held off a spirited challenge from St Kitts & Nevis’ Sundar and Pencheon to win 21-17, 12-21, 15-11 and secure third.

The top three teams in both divisions have now booked their spots to represent the Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association at the NORCECA U-21 World Championships Qualifier.