VIVIANA AND MAYRA SET A NEW HIGH AT THE INTERNATIONAL BEACH VOLLEYBALL CIRUIT

Bibiana Candelas and Mayra García,
crowned as champions in Grand Cayman.

SEVEN MILES BEACH, Grand Cayman (NORCECA) -  Bibiana Candelas and Mayra Garcia took home the women’s gold medal by defeating fellow countrywomen Martha Revuelta and Vanessa Virgen 2-0 (21-6, 21-19) in the final of the Cayman Islands 2012 NORCECA’s Beach Volleyball Tournament.

Candelas and Garcia of MEX-2 won the title undefeated, dominating the whole tournament. Candelas/Garcia downed Revuelta/Virgen in the first set, and even though the losers had a great come back in the second set it wasn’t enough.

The champs moved on to the gold medal match defeating Puerto Rico’s Yarleen Santiago and Yamileska Yantin 2-0 (21-17, 21-11).  Meanwhile, Martha Revuelta and Vanessa Virgen of MEX-1 prevailed in a three-setter semifinal against Jennifer Snyder and Heather Hughes of USA-1 21-19, 19-21 and 15-13.

“The heat and sun were intense but we made a good job,” Garcia said. “We´ve been training for the Olympic qualifier, and now we’ll be headed to Brazil and China for the Swatch FIVB World Tour.”

 “The year is beginning great, this will motivate us to work even harder and it was wonderful that Mexico made it to the finals with both teams,” added Candelas.

Yarleen Santiago and Yamileska Yantin of Puerto Rico won the bronze medal with a 2-0 (21-16, 21-19) victory over Americans Jennifer Snyder and Heather Hughes.

Women’s Semifinal: MEX-2 d. PUR 2-0 (21-17, 21-11); MEX-1 d. USA-1 2-1 (21-19, 19-21, 15-13). Bronze Medal Match: PUR d. USA-1 2-0 (21-16, 21-19). Gold Medal Match: MEX-2 d. MEX-1 2-0 (21-6, 21-19).