Monday, October 3, 2016

All-American Finals at Chula Vista NORCECA

Medalists from the NORCECA beach circuit event.

Lane Carico earned her second consecutive NORCECA gold on Sunday, Oct. 5, at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, Calif. This time she played with Heather Hughes, and the duo stormed through the tournament without dropping a set.

In the final, Carico and Hughes met fellow Americans Sarah Day and Kaitlin Nielson, defeating them 21-12, 21-17.

The bronze medal match was also a battle between compatriots. Mexico’s Martha Revuelta and Bibiana Candelas took on Itzel Santoyo and Stephanie Burnside, taking the match 21-15, 21-17.

Americans met in the men’s final match as well with Theo Brunner and Nick Lucena taking down Tri Bourne and John Hyden 21-19, 17-21, 15-13. Brunner and Lucena had not dropped a set in the tournament until that second set in the final match.

Winning the men’s bronze was Puerto Rico’s Hector Soto and Roberto Rodriguez over Canada’s Michael Plantiga and Cameron Wheelan 21-19, 17-21, 15-12.

The NORCECA tour continues starting today in St. Lucia. The finals will be played on Sunday, Oct. 13.