USA Mackenzie Ponnet and Kim Smith win Gold in their first NORCECA

USA Mackenzie Ponnet and Kim Smith win Gold in their first NORCECA

AGUASCALIENTES, Mexico, April 15, 2018. - Mackenzie Ponnet and Kimberly Smith of United States debuted in the NORCECA Beach Volleyball Circuit winning the gold medal match at Aguascalientes after defeating Maylen Delis and Leila Martínez of Cuba 2-1 (21-19, 17-21, 15-10).

Mackenzie and Smith showed great energy while setting their own rhythm against the spirited Cuban duo, fighting up to the last point. Mackenzie impressed with her fast moves all over the sand holding off Cuba’s tough attacks.

After winning the medal, Kim Smith said “Mackenzie literally picks up everything up behind me, all I have to do is turn around and give her a descent set and she puts it back in motion, she’s the best player I’ve ever played with. We have so much fun playing the game, that’s why we keep on winning”.

In addition, Mackenzie Ponnet indicated “It’s pretty easy when you got such a big good block to run behind. Our chemistry just wins games; I have so much trust in Kim. The key is that we stay calm no matter what the score, even if we’re winning or losing”.

The all USA semifinal was tight and long. Mackenzie Ponnet/Kimberly Smith had to fight hard for their comeback win over Brittany Howard and Kelly Reeves 2-1 (17-21, 21-19, 15-12).

Also coming from behind, Cubans Maylen Delis and Leila Martínez prevailed in a thriller semifinal to Mexican Zaira Orellana/Martha Revuelta 2-1 (18-21, 21-18, 15-12).

With a consistent and solid performance USA Brittany Howard and Kelly Reeves won the bronze medal match beating Mexican Zaira Orellana and Martha Revuelta 2-0 (21-9, 21-17).

The NORCECA Beach Volleyball Circuit continues next weekend in Mexican soil at La Paz, Baja California.

Final positions: 1. Mackenzie Ponnet/Kimberly Smith (USA-A); 2. Maylen De La Caridad Delis/Leila Martínez (CUB); 3. Brittany Howard/Kelly Reeves (USA-B); 4. Zaira Orellana/Martha Revuelta (MEX-B; 5. Charlotte Sider/ Marie-Christine LaPointe (CAN-A); 6. Cinthya Cruz/ Claudia Ríos (MEX-A); 7. Helene Rancourt/Sarah-Jeanne Meunier-Bedard (CAN-B); 8. María José Quintero/ Stephanie Burnside (MEX-C); 9. Swan Mendoza/Lolette Rodríguez (NCA); 10. Ileann Powery/ Marissa Harrison (CAY) 2-0 (21-19, 21-17); 11. Melanie Valenciana/Katherine Wanket (ISV); 12. Yaniris Miller/Alondra Berroa (DOM); 13. Suraya Chase/ LaTeisha Joseph (TTO); 14. Paola Alvarado/María Juárez (GUA).

Women Results Sunday:

Gold Medal: Mackenzie Ponnet/Kimberly Smith (USA-A) d Maylen De La Caridad Delis/Leila Martínez (CUB) 2-1 (21-19, 17-21, 15-10); Bronze Medal: Brittany Howard/Kelly Reeves (USA-B) d Zaira Orellana/Martha Revuelta (MEX-B) 2-0 (21-9, 21-17); SF: Maylen De La Caridad Delis/Leila Martínez (CUB) d Zaira Orellana/Martha Revuelta (MEX-B) 2-1 (18-21, 21-18, 15-12); Mackenzie Ponnet/Kimberly Smith (USA-A) d Brittany Howard/Kelly Reeves (USA-B) 2-1 (17-21, 21-19, 15-12); 5-6: Charlotte Sider/ Marie-Christine LaPointe (CAN-A) d Cinthya Cruz/ Claudia Ríos (MEX-A) 2-0 (21-15, 21-12); 7-8: Helene Rancourt/Sarah-Jeanne Meunier-Bedard (CAN-B) d María José Quintero/ Stephanie Burnside (MEX-C) 2-0 (23-21, 21-18); 9-10: Swan Mendoza/Lolette Rodríguez (NCA) d Ileann Powery/ Marissa Harrison (CAY) 2-0 (21-19, 21-17); 11-12: Melanie Valenciana/Katherine Wanket (ISV) d Yaniris Miller/Alondra Berroa (DOM) 2-1 (18-21, 21-14, 15-11); Positions 9-12: Ileann Powery/ Marissa Harrison (CAY) d Melanie Valenciana/Katherine Wanket (ISV) 2-1 (17-21, 21-17, 18-16); Swan Mendoza/Lolette Rodríguez (NCA) d Yaniris Miller/Alondra Berroa (DOM) 2-0 (21-18, 21-16); Cinthya Cruz/ Claudia Ríos (MEX-A) d Helene Rancourt/Sarah-Jeanne Meunier-Bedard (CAN-B) 2-1 (21-12, 17-21, 15-10); Charlotte Sider/ Marie-Christine LaPointe (CAN-A) d María José Quintero/ Stephanie Burnside (MEX-C) 2-0 (21-19, 21-13).