ZAPOPAN, Jalisco, September 7, 2025. – Puerto Rico’s Maria Gonzalez and Allanis Navas claimed their fifth straight gold medal of the 2025 NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour, rallying to defeat USA’s Michelle Shaffer and Rachael Kramer 2-1 (14-21, 21-18, 15-9) in a thrilling final in Zapopan, Jalisco.
Entering the tournament as the top favorites, Gonzalez and Navas once again lived up to expectations, extending their unbeaten streak and winning every stage they have competed in this season — Juan Dolio, Puerto Cortés, Tamaulipas, Manzanillo, and now Zapopan — securing a perfect five-for-five record on the tour.
Allanis Navas expressed her pride in her teammate: “María always kept her composure during the game. We always step onto the court as warriors, no matter the score and no matter the height of our opponents. We recently graduated and are training as much as possible, with the goal of achieving the victories that lie ahead. We’re going to keep working because the road is long.”
Regarding the achievement of winning five consecutive gold medals, María González said: “It’s incredible! In every match we go in as if anyone could beat us, and we step in as warriors, ready to fight for every point, and I think that has been the key to winning these five gold medals. We don’t go in thinking about it, but rather as if it’s a completely new game.”
For Shaffer and Kramer, the silver medal marks their first NORCECA podium finish as a team, and Shaffer’s debut at an international event. Kramer previously earned bronze last year in Puerto Cortés.
In the bronze medal match, Cuba’s Kailin Garrido and Maykelin Drik defeated Canada’s Akash Grewal and Katarina Pantovic 2-0 (21-16, 21-19). This is Kailin/Drik’s second bronze medal of the season, having also taken third place in Varadero.
Shaffer/Kramer advanced to the final after winning a tough three-set battle 2-1 (21-12, 17-21, 15-11) over Kailin/Drik in the semifinals, while Gonzalez/Navas stormed past Canada’s Grewal/Pantovic 2-0 (21-17, 21-13).
Canada’s Dunn/Law-Heese finished fifth after a straight-sets victory 2-0 (21-14, 21-14) against Nicaragua’s Lopez/Lolette.
Mexico’s Torres/Gutierrez secured seventh place with a 2-0 (21-13, 21-16) win over Venezuela’s Ramirez/Valeria.
Guatemala’s Alvarado/Guerra claimed ninth place after defeating Venezuela’s Oriana/Yonnielis in three sets 2-1 (21-19, 13-21, 15-10).
El Salvador’s Vigil/Tovar took eleventh place, beating Bennett/Valenciana of the U.S. Virgin Islands 2-0 (21-12, 21-15).
Mexico’s Cruz/Torres finished in thirteenth place with a 2-0 (21-11, 21-11) win over Costa Rica’s Quesada/Aguilar.
Classification Matches:
C 5/8: Lopez/Lolette NCA d Ramirez/Valeria VEN 2-1 (21-10, 19-21, 21-19); Dunn/Law-Heese CAN 2-1 (13-21, 21-14, 15-8).
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