Americans Claim Women's Gold Medal at SWATCH Championships

AVC

2009-07-05 16:46:00 From：AVC

Stavanger, Norway, July 4, 2009 -- Jen Kessy and April Ross of the United States realized a "dream" by capturing the gold medal here Saturday at the 2009 SWATCH FIVB World Championships presented by ConocoPhillips by defeating Brazilians Juliana Felisberta Silva and Larissa Franca.

With the US$1-million event featuring 96 men's and women's teams from 32 countries and five FIVB confederations, the top-seeded Kessy and Ross scored a 30-28 and 23-21 win in 58 minutes to share the $60,000 first-place prize that is the biggest Beach Volleyball tournament outside of the Olympics. The third-seeded Juliana and Larissa split $45,000.

Saturday's title was also Kessy and Ross' second gold medal finish on the Vaagen Harbour centre court as the Americans won their first SWATCH FIVB World Tour event in 2007 by capturing the Norwegian Grand Slam after qualifying for the Main Draw as the 29th-seeded team. Kessy and Ross ended the 2008 international season by winning the final two SWATCH stops in Thailand and China.

Prior to Saturday's title match, both teams had to win semi-final matches earlier in the day. The Americans defeated fifth-seeded Shelda Bede and Ana Paula Connelly of Brazil 28-26, 15-21 and 15-9 in 68 minutes while Juliana and Larissa scored a 21-17, 18-21 and 15-13 victory in 59 minutes over the second-seeded Talita and Antonelli.

In the All-Brazilian bronze medal match, second-seeded Talita Antunes and Maria Antonelli scored a 21-13 and 21-16 in 39 minutes over fifth-seeded Shelda and Ana Paula Connelly to share the $35,000 third-place prize. Shelda and Ana Paula, the 2008 SWATCH FIVB World Tour champions, split $28,000 for fourth-place.

The 2009 SWATCH FIVB World Championships concludes Sunday with the men's semi-finals and medal matches with reigning Olympic and world champions Phil Dalhausser and Todd Rogers of the United States still competing along with two teams from Germany and Brazilians Alison Cerutti and Harley Marques remaining in the competition. The German pairs are Julius Brink/Jonas Reckermann and David Klemperer/Eric Koreng.