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Semi-Finals of Bicentennial Beach Volleyball Cup, Mexico
 Sam Willis - Bettor.com
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October 19, 2010
Last weekend's Bicentennial Beach Volleyball matches started out with 10 couples per gender. The event was organized by NORCECA at Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. In the women’s division, the following 10 teams hit the sands and battled out outstanding combats:
• Guatemala
• Cuba
• Costa Rica
• USA
• Puerto Rico
• Canada 1
• Canada 2
• Mexico 1
• Mexico 2
• Mexico 3
The championship staged an array of heated competitions during last week and reached the final phase on Sunday, 18th October, 2010. Teams from Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico displayed incredible performance and clawed their way to the important ‘final four’ stage. The home-side brought in 3 teams to secure the title trophy but only one pair could survive up till semi-final. Martha Revuelta and Xitlali Herrera of Mexico 1 collided with Heather Bansley and Elizabeth Maloney of Canada in the first semi-final, while Yarleen Santiago and Dariam Acevedo of Puerto Rico contested their abilities against American Cayley Thurlby and Nancy McGiven in the second semi-final. Canada and Puerto Rico proved to be better teams and qualified for the final showdown.
Canada 1 vs. Mexico 1 (21-15, 21-12)
Out of two Canadian teams, the pair of Heather Bansley and Elizabeth Maloney saved good reputation and appeared in the semi-final against home-team from Mexico. Canada had a great task to display good game in front of lot of Mexican supporters. The match was played in the completely sold out arena and local fans were gathered in scores to witness the native girls performing on sand.
The match was played on a breezy day and it was hard to control the ball in wind. Mexicans opened the match with simple passes and took their positions. Canadian squad was in top form and they seemed determined to catch Mexicans from the scruff of their necks. They produced good serves and hit powerful shots. In the first few attempts, they faced resistance from the opposite side but they steadily kept on trying.
The useful lead of two points enabled Canada to further enhance their score. Mexico used the emotional support of fans and defended their position. Canada scored points by quick-passes and stretched the gap of points. Mexico suffered a set-back on account of illegal shot after the second technical timeout, while Canada added consecutive points and finished the first set at 21-15.
The shocking defeat in first set caused much trouble for home-team in second set. Canadian pair was in commanding position and they hit ‘full of life’ shots. They were able to lunch their power over Mexico and hindered their performance. Canada rapidly covered the length of second set and confirmed their participation in the final of Bicentennial Beach Volleyball by capturing second set (21-12). Canada successfully pushed Mexico behind and cruised past to final match.
Puerto Rico vs. USA (21-14, 21-16)
The second semi-final of the championship was played between the two strong teams i.e. Puerto Rico and USA. Both sides were charged up and fully prepared for the great competition.
Yarleen Santiago was an expert hitter and blocker. She created a lot of buzz in the game by demonstrating her spiking capabilities against American team. Likewise, Dariam Acevedo complimented her partner and worked out good shots for Puerto Rico. USA’s pair showed great effort to penetrate the killing spikes and received huge applause for good defence work. Somehow, Puerto Rico hit flawless pointers and raised their score. Despite of good blocking, USA couldn’t stop Puerto Rico from scoring with the help of tricky bump-passes. Puerto Rico outshined and pulled off 21-14 victory in first set.
The second set also came successful for Puerto Rican ladies. They repeated the same action and took the game away from USA. The impressive delivery of spikes earned them success in the second set. Puerto Rico posted 21-16 and declared match victory. Puerto Rico qualified for the final-encounter with Canada 1.
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