LOUDONVILLE, NY – Simone Asque-Favia's family lineage within the country of Jamaica runs deep. 

Her grandmother worked for the Jamaican Prime Minister and would eventually move the family to Ottawa, Canada to help start the Jamaican Consulate once Jamaica had gained its independence from Britain. 

Her mother, who was born in Kingston, Jamaica, was three years old at the time.  

While Asque-Favia gained citizenship herself by descent and has played volleyball for Team Jamaica since 2014, the significance of being chosen once again to represent the country in the Caribbean Zonal Volleyball Association (CAZOVA) Senior Championships that begins July 21 and run through July 31 in Suriname, remains powerful. 

"Being able to represent Jamaica has been the highest honor and I'm blessed that the opportunity has allowed me to return to Jamaica so often through the years and make lasting relationships with teammates," said Asque-Favia, who begins her second season as the Saints' head volleyball coach after a season in which the team saw a six-win improvement from the previous season and a MAAC Semifinal finish. 

"The first time I played for Team Jamaica I was still playing professionally and at a peak in my playing career" said Asque-Favia, who played professionally in Slovakia, Cyprus and Denmark. 

"At this stage of my life I am not going to move or play the same way - I definitely don't jump like I used to! But as a veteran and more experienced member of the team, I can execute specific skills and bring in a tactical mindset to the court. The first time I put on the Jamaican uniform was such a powerful moment of achievement for myself and my family. And that feeling has never gone away but has evolved now that I am older. If this is the last time I suit up for Jamaica, I hope to leave a legacy of building the next generation up and towards greater achievements than my own. "

Asque-Favia's legacy with the Jamaican National Team has many successful chapters as is.

She's served as the team captain, and has had deep tournament success—helping Jamaica earn a gold medal at the 2016 Venus International Invitational as well as a bronze medal with a victory against the U.S. Virgin Islands in the 2014 World Championships qualifying. 

Donning jersey number 11, Asque-Favia will play outside hitter/opposite in her third stint representing Jamaica in the CAZOVA Championships.  She also played in the 2014 and 2017 CAZOVA Championships. 

A tournament each year hasn't been a given.  The COVID-19 pandemic had a major impact on all the teams in the Caribbean region and specifically it took a significant hit to the Jamaican Volleyball program as operations had been shut down for over three years.  The environment improved enough as the Ministry of Sport gave the go-ahead to have sporting and other activities, with necessary protocols in place, commenced in April of last year. 

Competition in the CAZOVA Championships varies from team to team with some sporting starting lineups full of athletes playing either professionally or on a collegiate level.  Earning a gold medal would qualify the team to the Panamerican Cup, the North, Central American and the Caribbean (NORCECA) Continental and other Championships.

Balancing between a Division I head volleyball coaching position at Siena and doubling as a player on the Jamaican National Team has been a tall task, but Asque-Favia has remained driven to be the best that she can be.  She called winning a potential gold medal for Team Jamaica "a dream" and that coming together is one of the best parts of playing for the national team. 

And, she feels this opportunity presents yet another way to connect back with the Siena volleyball team.

"I've received such great support from the team and I think that it can be powerful for them to see their coach working hard and competing because that is what I ask them to do," she said. "If I inspire just one of my student-athletes or young volleyball athletes in our community, that's a huge impact and I'm honored to provide that." 

Opening ceremonies for the CAZOVA Championships are scheduled for Sunday, July 23 at 6 p.m.

Team Jamaica is tentatively set to play the Bahamas on Monday, July 24 at 3 p.m. followed by a match up with Suriname on Tuesday, July 25 at 8:30 p.m. at the Anthony Nesty Sportshall. 

The quarterfinals are set for Thursday, July 27 at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. The top teams from each group will earn a bye and advance to the Semifinals and play the quarterfinal winners on Friday, July 28 at 2:30 p.m. and 6 p.m.
 
Losers of the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds will play on Saturday, July 29 at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. to determine places. 

The bronze medal game will take place at 6 p.m.

The women's gold medal championship will take place on Sunday, July 30 at 4 p.m. followed by the closing ceremony at 9 p.m. 

Follow for updates on Cazova.