Former Saanich resident Jamie Broder and her Toronto-based teammate Kristina Valjas ended the NORCECA Beach Volleyball Circuit with a gold medal in Trinidad last weekend.
It’s part of Canada’s breakout year on the circuit (North, Central America and Caribbean Volleyball Confederationas) as 10 different Canadian teams (six men's and four women's) won a total of 18 medals (six gold, six silver and six bronze) in 2013.
Broder, a Claremont grad, plays on Canada’s A team with beach partner Valjas, of Toronto. They defeated USA-A duo Heather Hughes and Lane Carico in straight sets on Sunday, 22-20 and 21-15, to win in the final match of the Trinidad event.
“USA is always a tough battle and the final was no different ... we are glad to come out on top,” Broder said. It was her team’s second NORCECA gold of the season though Canada ended up second to the U.S. in the overall women’s NORCECA 2013 rankings.
Canada are ranked 17th in beach world rankings.
Hughes and Carico had defeated CAN-B’s Heather Bansley and Caleigh Whitaker in the semifinals while Broder and Valjas ousted Marta Revuelta and Bibiana Candelas of Mexico, 21-16, 21-19. Mexico edged CAN-B for bronze.