Latvian pair bags women’s crown

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TINA Graudina and Anastasija Samoilova of Latvia beat Spain’s Daniela Alvarez Mendoza and Tania Moreno Matveeva yesterday 21-14, 21-18 to emerge as the women’s champions of the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Challenge at the Nuvali Sand Courts in Sta. Rosa City.

“We’re very happy that we’ve become even more solid as a pair, although we needed to make some adjustments in both sets,” said the 6-foot Tina Gaudina, 25, who started playing with Samoilova in 2016, winning the European Championships twice in 2019 (Moscow) and last year in Munich.

Ranked world No. 14, the duo was a crowd favorite at the newly-built world-class courts in Nuvali, with Graudina drawing sympathy –she played the semifinal and final with a small bandage protecting a half-centimeter wound just above her right eyelid.

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“While playing, it’s all adrenalin, but before and after each match, I feel bothered,” said Graudina. She sustained the small would when the ball hit her face, shattering her shades in Saturday’s quarterfinals.

Graudina led from the front with 18 points on 12 hits, four blocks and two aces while Samoilova held the fort on the defensive end with 13 digs plus 12 points on 12 attacks.

The Latvian pair, ranked No. 14 in the world, will pack their bags today, Monday, and head for Doha for the culminating leg of the tour.

“I wish we could stay longer. I know that the Philippines has so many beaches … maybe next time,” said Graudina, adding the weather was too hot for them, but one they could handle.

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