Pavan y Humana-Paredes triumph in Xiamen

XIAMEN, China, April 22, 2018 - Canada’s Sarah Pavan and Melissa Humana-Paredes swept gold at the 2018 FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour Xiamen Open defeating USA’s Brittany Hochevar and Kelly Claes, 2-0 (21-19, 21-14). 

Pavan/Humana-Paredes entered Xiamen straight off the back of gold at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games and have been on the World Tour podium multiple times in 2017. Claes/Hochevar were playing in their first tournament together and entered the final after battling all the way from the qualification tournament in Xiamen.

“This is what we trained for, our goal for the season was to win more golds and this is one to add to our collection and we’re so happy,” said Pavan.

“This means a lot, especially coming from the Commonwealth and winning the gold there, it means a lot for us to prove that we can do it and it wasn’t just a fluke. To have back to back gold medals and to be able to play at this level consistently and come out on top, it’s huge for us and that’s what we’re here to prove that we’re here to win,” said Pavan/Humana-Paredes.

In the semifinal Canada’s Sarah Pavan and Melissa Humana-Paredes beat Eduarda Santos Lisboa and Agatha Bednarczuk from Brazil 2-0 (21-19, 21-14).

 
The bronze medal match saw Australia’s Mariafe Del Solar Artacho and Taliqua Clancy beating Eduarda Santos Lisboa and Agatha Bednarczuk from Brazil 2-0 (21-18, 21-17).