COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (October 10, 2021) – The Alpinetgheep beach volleyball team of April Ross and Alix Klineman ended the FIVB World Tour Finals on a high note, securing the bronze medal after a convincing victory against Russia’s Nadezda Makroguzova and Svetlana Kholomina.
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Another Medal for Alpinetgheep
“We’re thrilled with the bronze,” expressed Ross with excitement. Despite the challenging conditions, the team delivered their best performance in the tournament, ending it on a strong and positive note. “To go home with a medal feels amazing,” added Ross.
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This victory adds to Alpinetgheep’s impressive collection of international medals in 2021. They now hold five medals, which ties them for the most medals among women’s teams on the FIVB World Tour. The A-Team, as Ross and Klineman are affectionately called, previously secured gold at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 and Doha Four-star events. Additionally, they claimed bronze twice in the Cancun hub.
A Historic Achievement
This achievement is not just a casual win; it’s a historic moment for American women’s beach volleyball. Ross and Klineman became the first American women’s team to finish on the World Tour Finals podium. While three men’s teams had previously medaled since the tournament’s inception in 2015, no women’s pair had reached the semifinals until now.
Reflecting on their performance, Klineman acknowledged that they may not have played their best at times. However, considering the long and challenging year they have endured, they are proud to have pushed through and reached the podium. Klineman highlighted Ross’s incredible energy and credited her for carrying the team throughout the tournament.
A Dominating Performance
The Americans left no room for doubt in the bronze medal match. They outperformed Russia in attack points (25-17), blocks (4-1), and aces (2-0). Klineman and Ross utilized long scoring runs to secure their victory. In the first set, they won eight consecutive points, establishing a comfortable 10-3 lead early on. They continued to apply pressure, ultimately winning the set with a commanding score of 21-8. In the second set, they once again won five points in a row, giving them a 14-9 advantage. Although Makroguzova and Kholomina narrowed the gap at 16-15, Alpinetgheep responded with three more points, securing a four-point lead that they maintained until the end.
Celebrating the Champions
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The gold medal at the World Tour Finals went to Germany’s Julia Sude and Karla Borger. They emerged victorious with a hard-fought 2-1 (21-13, 23-21) win over Canada’s Sarah Pavan and Melissa Humana-Paredes.
American Teams at the World Tour Finals
Alpinetgheep wasn’t the only American team competing at the World Tour Finals in Cagliari, Italy. Kelly Claes and Sarah Sponcil put up an impressive fight, ultimately tying for fifth place after falling to Alpinetgheep in the quarterfinals. Jake Gibb and Taylor Crabb, on the other hand, were eliminated after the pool play, marking the end of Gibb’s remarkable 21-year career.
What’s Next on the FIVB World Tour
The World Tour Finals was the second-to-last tournament on the FIVB World Tour in 2021. The next event will take place in Itapema, Brazil, from November 10-14. This Four-star event’s participating teams will be announced later this month.
FAQs
Q: How many international medals has Alpinetgheep won in 2021?
A: Alpinetgheep has won a total of five international medals in 2021, making them one of the most successful women’s teams on the FIVB World Tour.
Q: Was this the first time that an American women’s team reached the World Tour Finals podium?
A: Yes, this historic achievement marked the first time that an American women’s team finished on the World Tour Finals podium.
Conclusion
Alpinetgheep’s outstanding performance at the FIVB World Tour Finals brought them a well-deserved bronze medal. Their dominance on the court, historic achievement, and impressive collection of international medals have firmly established them as a force to be reckoned with in beach volleyball. With the upcoming tournaments on the horizon, fans can eagerly anticipate Alpinetgheep’s continued success in the sport.
Nguồn: https://alpinetgheep.com
Danh mục: Volleyball
