“Aruba is like paradise,” triumphant Hunkus says

ORANJESTAD, Aruba, December 2, 2012 – Tealle Hunkus and Summer Ross of USA-A claimed the gold medal of the Aruba Beach Volleyball Tournament, the eleventh stop of the 2012 NORCECA Circuit, after a straight-set victory (21-19, 21-17) over Mexico’s Bibi Candelas and Martha Revuelta on Sunday.

It was the second title in a row for Ross, who paired with Emily Day to win the previous stage in Trinidad & Tobago where Hunkus finished with a silver medal.

“I thank to God for this victory,” Ross said. “I had never been before in Aruba, but I love this place and their beautiful people.”

“Playing the last competition in Aruba was the best way to go out of the tournament,” Hunkus said. “Aruba is like paradise.”

In the semifinals, Hunlus/Ross defeated Costa Rica’s Ingrid Morales and Natalia Alfaro 21-14, 21-12 while Candelas/Revuelta prevailed in a three-setter (21-17, 14-21, 15-5) over Dariam Acevedo and Tatiana Encarnación of Puerto Rico-B.

In the bronze medal match that lasted 1 hour and 21 minutes, Morales/Alfaro defeated Acevedo/Encarnación in three sets (21-16, 19-21, 23-21).

Women’s results of Sunday

Semifinals: USA-A d CRC 2-0 (21-14, 21-12); MEX d PUR-B 2-1 (21-17, 14-21, 15-5). Bronze medal: CRC d PUR-B 2-1 (21-16, 19-21, 23-21). Gold medal: USA-A d MEX 2-0 (21-19, 21-17).