St. John’s Antigua- Antigua & Barbuda’s national Under-19 female volleyball team will leave the country today for the Central American country of Nicaragua to participate in the NORCECA Inter-Continental Under-19 Female Volleyball Championship to be held from August 18 to 26.

The country will be represented by a 10-member squad and two officials – Head coach Rosely Lewis and her assistant Shauna Isaac.

The team consists of Shaun-Marie Dinard (captain), Sharisha Simmons, Ashley Ashterman, Angelina Morris, Natasha Best, Genna Greer, Kendra Pierre, Zekene Edwards, Morgen Halstead and Chekiyah Martin.

The Antigua & Barbuda team is taking part in this tournament for the first time as a result of winning the OECS Under-17 Tournament in St Maarten last year.

Some of the other participating countries include Mexico, USA, Cuba, Costa Rica, Guatemala, while Trinidad and Tobago join Antigua & Barbuda as the only English-speaking Caribbean countries, and hosts Nicaragua.

Lewis told OBSERVER Sports before their departure that she is confident that the team will do well. She said the girls are very much focussed on the task ahead and the team spirit is very high.

The head coach said she hopes to see good things from outstanding players Sharisha Simmons and Natasha Best. Lewis said both players are expected to play for the senior national team.

The team is expected to return home on August 30.