Beach Volleyball Tournament takes place in Aruba

Oranjestad, Aruba, December 3, 2011 - Two days of recurring drizzles and downpours did not dampen the spirit of dedicated beach volleyball competitors and fans during the two-day tournament conducted at Druif Beach, just across from the Divi Village Resort, this past weekend, November 26 & 27.

Present for this accredited event was Hans Nieukerke from NEVOBO, the official volleyball association of Holland, and Juan Cartagena, Head Technical Coordinator of the NORCECA Volleyball Confederation, who coached and critiqued the players.

AWA President Mena Curiel expressed the organizers gratitude to Mr. Nieukerke, and Juan Cartagena for their time and Edson “Sonny” Ersilia of the Warwaru Volleyball Club of Curacao for his assistance in bringing a delegation from our sister island for the pro games. They also expressed a special thank you to Divi Properties in Aruba, for hosting the event.

This year, for the first time, the Aruba Volleyball Association combined the island’s scholastic event with exhibition games pitting pro players from Aruba against a delegation from Curacao, for some spectacular athletic action as a final flourish to the competition on Sunday afternoon.

Three pro teams from each island competed for the top spots, Aruba’s dynamic duo of Erginel De Cuba and Mitchell Daniel took the top spot in the Men’s Division, but Aruba gave up the top spot in the Ladies’ Division to Samira Luis and Christine Anthony from Curacao.

Aruba also claimed third place in the men’s division, as Curacao did in the Women’s. Petite Yaxzuly Toyo of Colegio Arubano was named Most Valuable Player overall.

This year, 11 schools teams of the MAVO and HAVO category, where students range in ages from 12 to 20, competed in the Scholastic Games. Taking the top spot in the Women’s Division was the team from Colegio Arubano (1); 2nd place went to Colegio San Antonio, and 3rd to Colegio Arubano (2)

First place winner among the male school teams was again Colegio Arubano, while San Antonio took 2nd place with Juliana School (1) going home with the 3rd place trophy.