NORCECA Gold and Bronze
Centre stage on the podium
For the second time this season, a Canadian pair has won a NORCECA beach volleyball tournament.
Heather Bansley and Elizabeth Maloney of Toronto defeated Yarleen Santiago and Dariam Acevedo of Puerto Rico in the championship final 26-24, 21-14 in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico. Earlier the Canadians had beaten American pair Tealle Hunkus and Heather Lowe in the semifinal 18-21, 21-16, 15-6.
It was a first career victory for Bansley and Maloney.
“We are very excited. I am so happy with my first gold,” said Maloney, who won a bronze with her partner earlier this season on the circuit. “We worked very well in defense throughout the tournament and it gave us the gold,” Bansley added.
Julie Rodrigue of Quebec City and Katherine Zakrzewski of Toronto, NORCECA winners earlier this season as well, took the bronze beating the Americans 23-21, 21-19.
On the men’s side, Sam Schachter of Richmond Hill, ON., and Ray Sewell of Calgary took fourth spot dropping the bronze medal match to Orlando Irizarry and Robert Rodriguez of Puerto Rico 14-21, 21-17, 15-12.
VC + norceca.org
