Huge gold medal for Canada’s Van Huizen and Binstock

SEVEN MILES BEACH, Grand Cayman, March 27, 2011 – Canadians Richard Van Huizen and Josh Binstock defeated Puerto Ricans Roberto Rodriguez and Christopher Underwood 21-19, 21-14 taking home the men’s gold medal at the Cayman Islands Beach Volleyball Tournament.

It was a gutty performance by Van Huizen who battled with cramps in both legs during the whole day and had to play two three-setter before arriving into the final match of the competition.

“I struggled in the first set but then I felt 100 percent in the second set,” Van Huizen said. “I controlled what I could control and managed myself physically.”

“I have had to deal with these issues before and as soon as I arrived today I knew it was going to be a tough day for me with the hot weather,” Van Huizen added.

He thanked the NORCECA medical staff, the volunteers and all the people working behind the scenes to make the event possible.

Earlier on Sunday, Van Huizen and Binstock came from behind to edge the USA-2 team of Jon Mesko and Paul Baxter by score of 19-21, 21-16, 16-14 and then erased a one-set deficit to prevail against Mexicans Ulises and Lombardo Ontiveros 19-21, 21-17, 15-8.

Rodriguez and Underwood defeated countrymen Orlando Irizarry and Amaury Velasco 21-18, 21-14 and followed that with a 21-17, 19-21, 15-13 win over Martin Reader and Chaim Schalk of Canada-2.

In the bronze medal match, the Ontiveros brothers battled hard to defeat Reader/Schalk by score of 21-16, 15-21, 15-12.

Men’s Quarterfinals: MEX d. USA-1 (21-17, 21-13), CAN-1 d. USA-2 (19-21, 21-16, 16-14), PUR-2 d. PUR-1 (21-18, 21-14), CAN-2 d. DOM (21-16, 24-26, 15-11). Semifinals: CAN-1 d. MEX (19-21, 21-17, 15-8), PUR-2 d. CAN-2 (21-17, 19-21, 15-13). Bronze Medal Match: MEX d. CAN-2 (21-16, 15-21, 15-12). Gold Medal Match: CAN-1 d. PUR-2 (21-19, 21-14).