Suriname, benefiting from the FIVB Volleyball Empowerment program, secured two silver medals at the recent CAZOVA U23 Volleyball Championships, finishing as runners-up in both the men`s and women`s tournaments. Concurrently, Guatemala emerged victorious at the AFECAVOL Men`s Volleyball Final Four in San Salvador, while Turkiye claimed the championship title at the BVA U19 Men`s Volleyball Balkan Championship in Banja Luka.
CAZOVA U23 Volleyball Championships
The Surinamese volleyball federation, Suvobo, has received USD 157,500 from FIVB Volleyball Empowerment for the coaching support of their national teams. Guided by Cuban head coach Carlos Orta Fellove, Suriname`s men`s team progressed undefeated through the round-robin stage of the CAZOVA U23 Championship in Arouca, beating Guadeloupe, Martinique, and Trinidad & Tobago. However, in the gold medal match, they faced Trinidad & Tobago again and, after a hard-fought five-set battle, lost 3-2, securing the silver medal. Martinique claimed the bronze, defeating Guadeloupe 3-1.
Jahreef Miguel from Trinidad & Tobago was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP). He also joined the Dream Team, which included other standout players such as Suriname`s Shemar Jameson, Anfernee Lee Aleong, and Faiq Lobo; Martinique`s Kenan Melinard; and Trinidad & Tobago`s Jerome Morrison and Rayon Dickson. Shemar Jameson was recognized as the Best Scorer, while Rayon Dickson earned the Best Digger award. Michael Burkett of Trinidad & Tobago received the Best Receiver award, and Crane Zackary from Guadeloupe was named Best Server.
Suriname`s women`s team began the CAZOVA U23 Championship with a loss to Martinique but then secured victories over Curaçao and hosts Trinidad & Tobago to reach the final. In the gold medal match, Martinique claimed a 3-1 victory over Suriname, earning the zonal title and leaving Suriname with silver. Trinidad & Tobago secured the bronze medal with a decisive 3-0 win against Curaçao.
Maelyss Melinard-Chanteur from Martinique was recognized as the MVP and included in the tournament`s Dream Team. Other top players in the Dream Team included Suriname`s Cailynn Griffith and Shaniva Balkaran; Martinique`s Emeline Kalt, Dorianne Chadet, and Alice Budon; and Curaçao`s Phelipa Giovienelly. Among the individual awards, L`fe Roberts, Natassia Baptiste, and Jordanne Hutchinson of Trinidad & Tobago won for Best Scorer, Best Server, and Best Receiver, respectively, while Cailynn Griffith (Suriname) was named Best Digger.
AFECAVOL Men’s Volleyball Final Four
The second edition of the AFECAVOL Men’s Volleyball Final Four was held in San Salvador. Guatemala triumphed undefeated, navigating through challenging five-set matches against Nicaragua and Belize, which largely determined the championship. In their final match, Guatemala secured a decisive 3-0 victory over El Salvador. Belize finished second after a clear 3-0 win against Nicaragua.
Andy Leonardo from Guatemala was honored as the MVP and also received the Best Server award. The tournament`s Dream Team featured players from Guatemala (Adolfo Rivas, Carlos Lopez), Nicaragua (Axel Gutierrez, Miguel Castillo), Belize (Francis Hauze, Hakan Godoy), and El Salvador (Diego Guido Guidos). Miguel Castillo also earned the Best Digger and Best Receiver awards, while Axel Gutierrez was recognized as the Best Scorer.
BVA U19 Men’s Volleyball Balkan Championship
Turkiye dominated the BVA U19 Men’s Volleyball Balkan Championship in Banja Luka, Bosnia & Herzegovina, completing the tournament undefeated. After securing first place in Pool A, the Turks faced Bulgaria in the semi-finals, clinching a tough five-set victory. In the gold medal showdown, Turkiye defeated Serbia 3-1 to claim the Balkan championship title.
Serbia, Bulgaria, and Montenegro took the top three spots in Pool B. Serbia secured a podium finish by overcoming Romania in a 3-2 semi-final match. Bulgaria then won the bronze medal match against Romania with a 3-0 sweep. Montenegro, North Macedonia, Greece, and host Bosnia & Herzegovina placed fifth to eighth in the final standings.
Ata Unver from Turkiye was named the tournament`s MVP. Ivan Uzunov of Bulgaria was recognized as Best Setter. Stefan Soko of Serbia received the Best Opposite award, while his teammate Stefan Popic was named Best Outside Hitter. Han Abdulvahap from Turkiye earned the Best Middle Blocker prize, and his teammate Cinar Receo Yagli was honored as Best Libero.
Oliver Wrenwick 
Finley Blackwood