Hosts and FIVB Volleyball Empowerment support recipients Malta celebrated the trophy
Scotland, who also receive support from FIVB Volleyball Empowerment claimed the bronze
Ireland completed the podium with silver
Two of the three medals at the 2024 Small Countries Association (SCA) U18 Women's Volleyball Championship went to teams whose federations receive support for their women’s volleyball from the FIVB Volleyball Empowerment programme. Hosts Malta celebrated the trophy, while Scotland claimed bronze. Ireland completed the podium with silver.
The Malta Volleyball Association has so far been allocated a total of over CHF 144,000 in FIVB Volleyball Empowerment assistance, half of which was invested into coach support of their women’s national volleyball teams. The Scottish Volleyball Federation’s total FIVB Volleyball Empowerment benefit has so far amounted to over CHF 294,000, split between volleyball and beach volleyball, also with CHF 72,000 allocated for coach support of their women’s national volleyball teams.
The Maltese youth team (pictured in the main photo: credits: cevsca.com) went through the three competition days at the Cottonera hall in Cospicua undefeated, dropping only a set in the three matches played along the way. On Friday, they achieved a 3-0 (25-17, 25-13, 25-13) sweep of their game against Ireland. On Saturday, the home favourites scored a 3-1 (25-7, 23-25, 25-14, 25-17) win over Northern Ireland. They completed their victory run with a 3-0 (27-25, 25-18, 25-20) win over Scotland in the last game on Sunday to top the final standings on a perfect record of 3-0 and 9 points.
In what turned out to be a direct duel for the silver, Scotland and Ireland engaged in a thrilling five-set battle on the second competition day. Ireland squeezed out a 3-2 (26-24, 25-22, 23-25, 22-25, 15-11) win and eventually finished runners-up on 2-1 and 5 points, leaving Scotland with the bronze on 1-2 and 3, after their 3-2 (25-20, 19-25, 13-25, 25-12, 15-7) victory over Northern Ireland on Friday.
Malta’s Shania Camilleri was crowned Most Valuable Player (MVP) and Best Outside Hitter of the tournament. Northern Ireland’s Laura McGuinness claimed the Best Setter award. Ireland’s Angela Mulcahy joined the individual awardees as the Best Opposite. The Best Middle Blocker recognition went to Scotland’s Holly Scott, while the Best Libero honour was awarded to Malta’s Leanne Spiteri.
The SCA U18 Women’s Championship individual awardees (Photo credits: cevsca.com)
Results and standings