Mexico and Cuba shine like gold

MANZANILLO, Mexico, October 3, 2010 – Mexican pair of Aldo Miramontes and Juan Virgen in men’s and Cubans Nirian Sinal and Kirenia Ballard in women’s both are champions of the NORCECA Maeva Beach Volleyball Tournament for second consecutive year.

Mexicans top ranked players, Miramontes and Virgen, had an impressive victory over Canada 1 (Josh Binstock-Andrew Hinchey), in a pair of sets, 21-13 y 21-14, in the men’s competition final.

Cubans Sinal-Ballard had an amazing performance in the women’s final at Norceca Maeva 2010, defeating Mexico 1 (Martha Revuelta-Xitlally Herrera), in two sets, 21-17, 21-18, in a game where the total control of the actions gave them the gold medal.

However, Sunday’s sunny competition day at Norceca Maeva started with a great match, in which Cuba’s Nirian Sinal-Kirenia Ballard couple defeated Puerto Rico (Yarleen Santiago-Darian Acevedo), in two sets, 21-16, 21-19, qualifying to the final game of this tournament.

Mexico 1 (Martha Revuelta-Xitlally Herrera) signed as the second finalist in the women’s competition, after defeating Mexico 2 (Vanessa Virgen-Rosario Reyes) in two sets, 21-13, 21-15.

The first men´s finalist appeared after the victory of Canada 1 (Josh Binstock-Andrew

Hinchey) over Puerto Rico´s Roberto Rodriguez-Orlando Irizarry couple, in a great game played in three sets, 20-22, 21-19, 15-13.

As expected by the crowd present in Maeva Stadium, Mexico 1, formed by Aldo Miramontes and Juan Virgen, defeated Cuba (Yoendry Kindelan-Sergio Gonzalez) in a very intense game, 22-20/21-19, qualifying to the men’s final match.

After that, Puerto Rico’s Yarleen Santiago-Darian Acevedo earned the women’s bronze medal, beating Mexico 2 (Vanessa Virgen-Rosario Reyes) in a very intense game played in three sets (19-21, 21-18, 15-7).

In men’s competition, Cubans Yoendry Kindelan-Sergio Gonzalez couple defeated Puerto Ricans Roberto Rodríguez-Orlando Irizarry in two sets, 21-13, 21-14, earning the tournaments bronze medal.

Men’s semifinals: CAN-1 d. PUR (20-22, 21-19, 15-13), MEX-1 d. CUB (22-20, 21-19). Bronze medal: CUB d. PUR (21-13, 21-14). Gold medal: MEX-1 d. CAN-1 (21-13, 21-14)

Men’s final positions: 1. MEX-1, 2. CAN-1, 3. CUB, 4. PUR, 5. MEX-2, 6. CAN-2, 7. MEX-4, 8. GUA

Women’s semifinals: CUB d. PUR (21-18, 21-19), MEX1 d. MEX2 (21-13/21-15). Bronze medal:  PUR d. MEX2 (19-21, 21-18, 15-7). Gold medal: CUB d. MEX1 (21-17, 21-18).

Women’s final positions: 1. CUB, 2. MEX-1, 3. PUR, 4. MEX-2, 5. CAN-2, 6. CAN-1, 7. GUA, 8. MEX-4