U.S. Sweep NORCECA Beach V-ball

AMERICA’S Irene Hester and Caitlin Ledoux were crowned female champions at the St. Lucia Beach Volleyball Tournament on Sunday after winning a three-set battle against Costa Ricans Karen Cope and Natalia Alfaro.

They came from behind to score a 2-1 (15-21, 21-19, 15-11) victory in 52 minutes for their second gold medal of the year as they also won the title at North Bay, Canada.

For Cope and Alfaro it was their third consecutive podium position following bronze medals in Varadero, Cuba and Tavares, Florida.

In the semifinals, Hester and Ledoux eliminated fellow Americans Heather McGuire and Amanda Dowdy also coming from behind in three sets 2-1 (16-21, 21-11, 15-12). Cope and Alfaro beat Nicaragua’s Lolette Rodriguez and Elia Torres 2-0 (21-12, 21-12).

In the match for the bronze medal, McGuire and Dowdy dispatched Rodríguez and Torres 2-0 (21-14, 21-9).

“We knew they are a good team as they defeated us in Cuba for the bronze medal,” Hester said about the Costa Ricans. They are a solid team and we knew it was going to be a battle. I am very impressed with the organization of the tournament. It is my first time here and Saint Lucia is absolutely beautiful.”

“It is very important to end the season on a high note and we have played very well the last couple of tournaments,” Ledoux said. “It is our second season together and it is really exciting to win here after winning also in North Bay.”

Meanwhile, brothers Trevor and Taylor Crabb of United States emulated their lady compatriots when they took home the men’s gold medal after a solid 2-0 (21-16, 21-16) victory over Guatemala’s Andy Leonardo and Luis Garcia on the same night.

The Crabb brothers were playing in their first NORCECA tournament and didn’t disappoint as they played good volleyball during the whole weekend.

The American team also won by identical 21-16, 21-16 scores in their semifinal match against Trinidad & Tobago team of Daneil Williams and Fabien Whitfield. Leonardo and Garcia had defeated Carlos Escobar and David Vargas of El Salvador 2-0 (21-18, 21-9).

“We played hard the whole tournament and never got tired despite playing a lot of games,” Trevor said. “We both played with good instincts, defended very well and blocked and passed very well.”

Taylor added: “It is my first NORCECA ever so I am very happy. I am also happy to play with my brother. The competition all around was very good with a lot of good teams representing their countries. I feel very well winning the event.”

In the match for the bronze medal, the Trinidadians Williams and Whitfield defeated Escobar and Vargas 2-0 (21-14, 21-12).