Canadians Bansley and Maloney take gold medal in Guatemala
 

GUATEMALA CITY, Guatemala, April 10, 2011 - Heather Bansley and Elizabeth Maloney of Canada-1 claimed the women’s gold medals at the Gatorade Beach Volleyball Tournament in Guatemala with a 21-18, 21-16 victory over Americans Grin Grey and Jennifer Snyder of USA-2 on Sunday.

It was the third victory of the day for Bansley/Maloney who arrived into the final match following victories over Costa Ricans Ingrid Morales and Natalia Alfaro by score of 25-23, 21-17 and Mexicans Martha Revuelta/Diana Estrada in three sets 21-15, 17-21, 15-10.

The bronze medal went to Cubans Ion Canet and Niriam Sinal who defeated Revuelta/Estrada 21-18, 21-16.

Heather said: “We struggled at the beginning of the day, but we were patient in the final match and it worked well for us”.

The Canadians are in a long training program as they head in two weeks for the FIVB World Tour in China.

Sunday’s women results:

Quarterfinals: CUB d. USA-1 2-1 (19-21, 21-18, 15-12); USA-2 d. PUR-1 2-1 (26-24, 19-21, 16-14); CAN-1 d. CRC 2-0 (25-23, 21-17); MEX-1 d. MEX-2 2-0 (21-12, 21-12). Semifinals: USA-2 d. CUB 2-0 (21-15, 21-16); CAN-1 d. MEX-1 2-1 (21-15, 17-21, 15-10); Bronze Medal Match: CUB d. MEX-1 2-0 (21-18, 21-16); Gold Medal Match: CAN-1 d. USA-2 2-0 (21-18, 21-16).

Final Positions: 1. CAN-1; 2. USA-2; 3. CUB; 4. MEX-1; 5. USA-1; 6. PUR-1; 7. CRC; 8. MEX-2; 9. CAN-2; 10. GUA-1; 11. ESA; 12. DOM; 13. TRI; 14. NCA; 15. HON; 16. GUA-2; 17. PUR-2.