Home sweet home for Puerto Ricans Santiago-Yantin

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, May 21, 2007.- Yarleen Santiago and Yamileska Yantin of Puerto Rico-1 played consistently both serving and blocking and the simple formula gave them the women’s gold medal at the Puerto Rican Beach Volleyball Tournament, the third leg of the 2007 NORCECA Circuit.

In the final match on the sands of Isla Verde, Santiago-Yantin downed Margarita Suero-Bethania Almanzar of Dominican Republic by score of 21-14, 21-15.

The victory proved to be sweet for Santiago, who earlier this week announced her retirement from the international volleyball competition to pursue a beach career.

The eventual champions reached the final after a 21-13, 21-10 victory over Vanessa Velez-Annia Ruiz of Puerto Rico-2. Suero-Amanzar defeated Maritere Ramos-Damaris Flores of Puerto Rico-3 by score of 21-16, 21-17.

Velez-Ruiz won the bronze medal with a 21-18, 17-21, 15-13 victory over Ramos-Flores.

Tournament Complete results

Women: PUR-3 d. PUR-5 (19-21, 21-14, 15-10), CRC d. DOM (18-21, 21-17, 15-5), CAN d. TRI (21-15, 21-7), PUR-4 d. ESA (21-12, 21-18), PUR-2 d. GUA (19-21, 21-15, 15-6), CRC d. PUR-3 (21-15, 22-20), PUR-5 d. DOM (15-21, 21-17, 15-12), PUR-1 d. PUR-2 (21-11. 19-21, 15-13), CAN d. BAR (21-14, 21-11), PUR-4 d. USA (21-14, 21-13), DOM d. PUR-3 (19-21, 21-19, 15-11), CRC d. PUR-5 (21-11, 21-13), BAR d. TRI (21-18, 21-17), GUA d. PUR-1 (21-0, 21-0), ESA d. USA (22-20, 19-21, 15-11). Single Elimination Round: CAN (Bye), PUR-3 d. USA (21-18, 21-6), CRC (Bye), DOM d. ESA (21-18, 21-8), GUA d. PUR-5 (22-24, 21-16, 15-7), PUR-1 d. BAR (21-5, 21-13), PUR-2 d. TRI (21-6, 21-19), PUR-4 (Bye). Quarterfinals: PUR-3 d. CAN (23-21, 21-18), DOM d. CRC (21-14, 21-14), PUR-1 d. GUA (22-20, 21-17), PUR-2 d. PUR-4 (26-24, 19-21, 15-11). Semi finals: PUR-1 d. PUR-2 (21-13, 21-10), DOM d. PUR-3 (21-16, 21-17). Bronze Medal Match: PUR-2 d. PUR-3 (21-18, 17-21, 15-13). Gold Medal Match: PUR-1 d. DOM (21-14, 21-15).