Mexican men’s and Canadian women’s are champions in Boqueron

CABO ROJO, Puerto Rico, July 13, 2010 - Ulises Ontiveros/Lombardo Ontiveros, of México-1 and Heather Bansley/Elizabeth Maloney, of Canadá-1 are the champions of the sixth stop of the IV NORCECA Beach Volleyball Circuit that finished at Boqueron Beach in the western area of the island on Sunday.

The Mexican pair of Ulises Ontiveros/Lombardo Ontiveros won its first gold medal of the year in the IV NORCECA Circuit by defeating the representatives of Costa Rica (Jonathan Guevara/Alexander Villegas) in 47 minutes by score of 21-12, 21-11.

Ontiveros/Ontiveros reached the final match after defeating the team of Puerto Rico 1 (Orlando Irizarry/Robert Rodríguez) by score of 21-12, 21-18.

“This is the result of five years of work as a team and we feel great about our first gold medal. We have worked hard and this gold medal means the consistency of our work,” Lombardo said.

Meanwhile in the women’s division, the Canadian pair of Heather Bansley/Elizabeth Maloney, of Canada-1 won their first top podium position winning the gold against Puerto Ricans Yarleen Santiago/Dariam Acevedo (PUR 1) by score of 26-24, 21-14.

Bansley/Maloney advanced to the big final by outlasting Americans Tealle Hunkus/Heather Lowe (USA 1) 18-21, 21-16, 15-6.

“We are very excited. I am so happy with my first gold. This is our second NORCECA and we won the gold,” expressed Maloney after the victory.

“We worked very well in defense throughout ant it gave us the gold. We worked for the gold,” Canadian Bansley added.

In the men’s side the bronze medal went to PUR 1 (Irizarry/Rodríguez) following three well fought sets and a final score of 14-21, 21-17, 15-12 against Canadians Samuel Schachter/Ray Sewell. It was a revenge for the Puerto Ricans who lost against their opponents on Saturday in the match for a direct trip to the semifinals.

In the women’s competition the bronze went to the Canadian pair of Julie Rodrigué/Katherine Zakrzewski (CAN 2) who scored a 23-21, 21-19 victory against the representatives of United States Tealle Hunkus/Heather Lowe (USA 1).

The final matches were transmitted live by DirecTV. The next stop of the IV NORCECA Beach Volleyball Circuit will be in August 23-30 in San Diego, California.

A total of 50 participants from 11 countries are competing in this NORCECA being played in the Boqueron Beach facilities that will be the site of Beach Volleyball Tournament during the XXI Central American and Caribbean Games.

Women’s results of Sunday: PUR 2 d. TTO (21-18, 21-17), PUR 2 d. CRC (21-13, 21-12); Semifinals: PUR 1 d. CAN 2 (21-19,22-20), CAN 1 d. USA 1 (18-21, 21-16, 15-6). Bronze medal match: CAN 2 d. USA 1 (23-21, 21-19). Gold medal match: CAN 1 d. PUR 1 (26-24, 21-14).

Women’s final positions: 1. CAN, 2. PUR, 3. CAN 2, 4. USA 1, 5. USA 2, 6. MEX, 7. TTO, 8. DOM, 9. GUA, 10. PUR 2, 11. CRC, 12. JAM, 13. BAR.

Men’s results of Sunday: PUR 2 vs. ESA (21-13, 21-23, 15-13), PUR 3 d. TTO (21-18, 21-17); Semifinals: MEX d. PUR 1 (21-12, 21-18), CRC d. CAN (21-18, 21-15). Bronze medal match: PUR 1 d. CAN 1 (14-21, 21-17, 15-12). Gold medal match: MEX d. CRC (21-12, 21-11).

Men’s final positions: 1. MEX, 2. CRC, 3. PUR, 4. CAN, 5. DOM, 6. USA 1, 7. GUA, 8. USA 2, 9. PUR 3, 10. ESA, 11. PUR 2, 12. TTO.