In the women’s final, the Americans faced the Spanish duo of Cristina Hopf and Alejandra Simon. Even though the Brazilian fans got behind the Spanish team, Ross/Day prevailed 2-0 (21-16, 21-19).
"It was my first university tournament and a very tough competition," said Ross. "Getting a medal means a lot. I want to continue my career in volleyball and hopefully get to the highest level: the Olympics."
In the bronze-medal match, Germany’s Laboureur/Schumacher defeated the Czech Republic’s Bonnerova/Hermannova 2-1 (21-15, 19-21, 15-13).
The men's final pitched Schroder/Dollinger against another Spanish duo, Francisco Alfredo Marco and Christian Garcia, the current European champions.
The Germans, with Dollinger using his 202-cm height to good effect and Schroder making precise attacks, won the game 2-0 (21-17, 21-19) to take their first title in only their second tournament together.
"We really wanted this medal,” said 21-year-old Schroder. “We lost a game in the third round that made our progress longer and more difficult in the tournament, which was of a very strong level.”
Brazil also took the podium after a close race for bronze, Luciano/Alvaro beat Canada’s Pedlow/O'Gorman 2-1 (21-18, 19-21, 15-12). It was Brazil’s first medal in WUC Beach Volleyball.
Edinilton Vasconcelos, the President of the Local Organizing Committee of the WUC 2012, thanked the athletes and the people of Maceio and Brazil. In the Closing Ceremony, held on the sands of Pajuçara Beach, Portugal received the FISU flag and will host the World University Beach Volleyball Championships in 2014.
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