NASSAU, Bahamas (CMC):

THE JAMAICA men's team had to dig deep to avoid losing their first game in the XI Caribbean Volleyball Championships on Tuesday, fending off the Netherlands Antilles in three tense sets.

The Jamaicans managed to prevail with a 25-23, 25-22, 27-25 decision over the Netherlands Antilles in one of the most exciting matches played so far in the tournament at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium.

Danny Wilson, who led the way with a game-high 17 kills, said it was a good performance from his Jamaican team. He said they prepared hard for the match-up.

"We expected them (Nether-lands Antilles) to fight hard, so we didn't give up," Wilson said.

Moving on

"We hope that what we did tonight will help us as we go on in the tournament," he added.

While Wilson had a big night Mark Lewis added 11 kills. Lewis and Richard Reynolds also collected two blocks apiece.

For the Netherlands Antilles, Paulino Gilbert had 13 kills and Ebram Raphael added 11.

In two other men's games played, Haiti stunned Guadeloupe with a three-set victory and Trinidad and Tobago prevailed with a three-set sweep as well.

After their heartbreaking loss to Barbados, Haiti bounced back and took their frustration out on Guadeloupe with a 26-24, 25-23, 25-21 victory.

Diminitri Edouard had 11 kills and Ralph Adolphe had seven. Edouard also had three blocks and Vladimir Louis added two.

In a losing effort, Bruno Cotellon and Jacques Lux had 13 and 10 spikes respectively. Lux and Willy Babel also had two blocks apiece.

Trinidad and Tobago's men, threatening to unseat 10-time champions Barbados, improved to 2-0 with a 25-13, 25-17, 25-18 win over the British Virgin Islands.

'We hope that what we did tonight will help us as we go on'. - Wilson