Norceca Beach Volleyball - Canada and Puerto Rico takes the Gold

(Source Photos : NORCECA)

GRAND CAYMAN, Cayman Islands

Canadians Martin Reader and Ray Sewell defeated Puerto Ricans Orlando Irizarry and Joseph Gil 21-17, 18-21, 15-8 claiming the men’s gold medal of the Cayman Islands Beach Volleyball Tournament, the opening leg of the 2010 NORCECA Circuit.

Both finalists had to battle to the limit in the semi final phase as the experienced Canadians prevailed against compatriots Maverick Match and Ben Saxton (11-21, 21-18, 15-10) while the Puerto Ricans edged Jeff Moran and Ivan Mercer of USA 14-21, 21-14, 15-10.

The bronze medal went to Americans Moran and Mercer who scored an exciting 21-15, 12-21, 19-17 victory over Match and Saxton.

(Source Photos: Kristina Rietta-Bobby Valjas)

Puerto Ricans Yarleen Santiago and Dariam Acevedo started where they left off last year by winning the women’s gold medal of the Cayman Islands Beach Volleyball Tournament, the first leg of the 2010 NORCECA Circuit.

Winners of the last year’s final stage in Nicaragua, Santiago-Acevedo defeated Brooke Langston and Heather Lowe of USA-1 by score of 21-14, 21-18 to take home the title.

Earlier on Sunday, the Puerto Ricans had scored a 21-16, 21-18 semi final victory against Jamie Broder and Kristina Valjas of Canada. The Americans entered the final match following their 21-17, 21-18 victory over Mexicans Martha Revuelta and Vanessa Virgen.

The women’s bronze went to Mexicans Revuelta and Virgen who defeated Canadians Broder and Valjas 21-14, 21-17.

(Source Photos: Kristina Rietta-Bobby Valjas)

Natalia Alfaro and Ingrid Morales of Costa Rica defeated Maria Orellana and Anna Ramirez of Guatemala 21-12, 21-15 in the match for fifth place.

Nancy Joseph and Elki Phillip of Trinidad and Tobago edged Wanda Brenton and Jennifer Bily of Cayman Islands-1 by score of 21-19, 12-21, 15-10 to finish in seventh place.

In the match for ninth place, Jamaicans Cheryl Daley and Cherine Richards defeated Cristin Alexander and Tarassa Barnett of Cayman Islands-2 by score of 21-16, 21-12.

The NORCECA Beach Volleyball Circuit continues next weekend in El Salvador followed by stops in Santo Domingo and Guatemala.

Women’s results
Semifinals
USA d. MEX (21-17, 21-18), PUR d. CAN (21-16, 21-18)
Bronze
MEX d. CAN (21-14, 21-17)
Gold
PUR d. USA (21-14, 21-18)

Men’s results

Semi finals

CAN-1 d. CAN-2 (11-21, 21-18, 15-10), PUR-1 d. USA-1 (14-21, 21-14, 15-10).

Bronze

USA-1 d. CAN-2 (21-15, 12-21, 19-17)

Gold

CAN-1 d. PUR-1 (21-17, 18-21, 15-8)