Jennings/Slick dethrone Ontiveros/Virgen

TOLUCA, Mexico, June 9, 2013 - Casey Jennings and Stafford Slick the number two pair of United States scored a 2-1 (21-17, 16-21, 17-15) victory over defending champions Mexico’s  Lombardo Ontiveros/Juan Virgen, winners of the past two stages of the 2013 NORCECA Beach Volleyball Circuit.

In a game full of excitement and big plays, Jennings/Slick won the first set 21-17 over the Mexicans, who had the support of more than two thousand people who filled the Beach Volleyball Stadium at the Autonomous University of the State of Mexico. In the second set, Ontiveros/Virgin prevailed 21-16, but the third was for Americans 17-15.

"It's my first title NORCECA tournament in Mexico. It is a good time for us, I really like the game, Mexico has a great team and it was a great game," Slick said.

It was a duel between Virgen and Slick, showing great defenses and the strong spikes of Ontiveros. "Lombardo is a great player, it's amazing," said Slick.

"The Mexican fans are great and I love them. My grandfather is Mexican and I felt very well with the public, always supporting the teams," Slick added.

In the semifinals, Ontiveros/Virgen won 19-21, 21-14, 15-9 over Grant O'Gorman/Samuel Pedlow of Canada-A while Jennings/Slick prevailed 21-19, 21-23, 16-14 against Roberto Rodriguez/Hector Soto, of Puerto Rico.

In the game for the third place, Rodriguez/Soto won 14-21, 22-20, 23-21 to O'Gorman/ Pedlow.

Sunday´s results:

Semifinals: MEX-A d CAN-A 2-1 (19-21, 21-14, 15-9), USA-B d PUR 2-1 (21-19, 21-23, 16-14). Bronze Medal: PUR d CAN-A 2-1 (14-21, 22-20, 23-21). Gold Medal: USA-B d MEX-A 2-1(21-17, 16-21, 17-15).

Final Positions: 1. USA-B, 2. MEX-A, 3. PUR, 4. CAN-A, 5. CUB, 6. MEX-B, 7. USA-A, 8. NCA, 9. CAN-B, 10. BAH, 11. TRI, 12. ARU, 13. CRC, 14. BAR, 15. DOM.