USA win the gold at the Gatorade BVB

GUATEMALA CITY, Guatemala, April 1, 2012 - Jenny Kropp and Whitney Pavlik of the United States took home the gold of the Guatemala Gatorade Beach Volleyball Tournament, the second stop of the 2012 NORCECA Circuit.

A packed crowd at Campo Marte saw Kropp/Pavlik defeating 2-0 (21-18, 21-15) the local team of Susana Alvarado and Lourdes Ramirez. For Guatemala this is the best ever finish in the history of the NORCECA Circuit.

“The crowd was great, we enjoyed the whole tournament specially winning the gold,” said Pavlik who along with Kropp finished fifth in last year’s Guatemala edition.

In the bronze medal match, Elia Torrez and Swan Mendoza of Nicaragua came from behind and took the third place, prevailing over Anthazia Mason and Shari Mathews of Barbados 2-1 (17-21, 21-1 y 15-7).

In semifinals, Kropp and Pavlik downed Mason and Matthews by 21-11 and 21-13 in 35 minutes while Alvarado and Ramirez, made the finals with a 2-0 (21-19, 21-14) win over Torres and Mendoza.

Sunday’s results:                                                 

Semifinals: USA d. BAR 2-0 (21-11, 21-13); GUA-1 d. NCA 2-0 (21-19, 21-14). Bronze Medal: NCA d. BAR 2-1 (17-21, 21-18, 15-7). Gold Medal: USA d. GUA 1 (21-18, 21-15).

Final Ranking: 1. USA 2. GUA-1 3. NCA 4. BAR 5. DOM 6. ESA 7. SKN 8. DMA 9. VIN 10. GUA 2 11. ISV.