Puerto Ricans Roberto “Rafu” Rodriguez and Eric Haddock retained their championship status Sunday afternoon at the NORCECA beach volleyball tournament in Grand Cayman in another wonderful display of agility and tactical nous.
They defeated Americans Todd Rogers and Ryan Doherty, 21-16 and 21-18, in the gold medal match at Public Beach in front of a huge, appreciative crowd. The crafty Puerto Ricans used all their repertoire of shots to keep off balance the powerful tandem of Rogers and Doherty.
“I am really elated about winning against one of the greats of all-time like Todd Rogers,” said Rodriguez, who won with Haddock here last year and took a silver medal in 2011 with a different partner. “This is one of the best tournaments and the ambiance really motivates me.”
Cayman had two men’s and two women’s teams in the tournament. Cristin Alexander and Jennifer Bily were Cayman’s top women’s team and newcomers Stefania Gandolfi and Jessica Wolfenden also played.
Shervin Rankin and Duncan Hamann came in 10th and Richard Campbell, who partnered with Philippe Deslandes, and used the tournament to gain experience.
In the semifinals on Sunday morning, Rodriguez and Haddock won 21-18, 21-16 against Chaim Schalk and Benjamin Saxton of Canada-A, while Rogers and Doherty won 21-19, 21-18 against Christian Redman and Matiej Zbyszewski of Canada-B.
In the third place match, Schalk/Saxton defeated compatriots Redman/Zbyszewski by scores of 21-16, 21-17.
“We came here on a mission and the goal was to win again,” Haddock said. “Playing against a guy like Rogers was an inspirational factor.”
Rogers is one of the most celebrated volleyball players in the sport. He won a gold medal at the Beijing Olympics and him competing here adds kudos to Cayman’s already well respected reputation.
Rogers said he was pleased with the overall performance playing with a new partner like the towering Doherty, who is 7 feet, 1 inch.
“I am happy with the way we played in general,” Rogers said. “It is our first tournament together and making it to the finals is pretty good. The competition was solid with teams like Canada, Mexico and, of course, Puerto Rico.”
“I’d rather have liked to win and we were close to make it, one point here and there, but I am pleased.
“The organisation was great with Noel (Williams, the president of Cayman Islands Federation) and the people in Cayman Islands with their ever present smile made it enjoyable.”
Canadians Jamie Broder and Kristina Valjas crushed Jenny Kropp and Whitney Pavlik of USA-A in consecutive sets (21-15, 21-13) to claim the women’s gold medal.
The bronze medal went to USA-B team of Jennifer Fopma and Brooke Sweat, who defeated Mexicans Bibi Candelas and Martha Rveuelta 21-13, 21-15.
“We had to be patient playing outdoors for the first time of the year under windy conditions and the heat,” Broder said. “But we played good when it counted the most.” “This is a very well run tournament and the atmosphere in Cayman Islands is so beautiful that I want and hope to be back next year,” Valjas said.
Broder/Valjas advanced to the title’s match following a gruelling three-set battle against Fopma and Sweat. They won 16-21, 27-25,15-11. Kropp/Pavlik defeated Candelas and Revueltas 21-16, 21-14 in the semifinals.
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