THE Fabian Whitfield/Daneil Williams and Elki Philip/Ayanna Dyette combinations just failed to win first-ever NORCECA (North, Central America and the Caribbean) medals for Trinidad and Tobago when the ninth leg of this year's Beach Volleyball Circuit concluded on Sunday, in St Lucia.

Williams and Whitfield, who became the first ever male tandem from this country to reach the semifinals of a NORCECA tournament, were beaten 21-12, 25-23 in their attempt to advance to the gold medal round by the United States No. 1 pair of William Montgomery and Jonathan Mesko.

The "Toco Boys" were later favoured to secure bronze, but were upset 21-14, 21-13 by St Lucians Julian Bissette and Joseph Clercent.

And in an-all USA final, Mesko and Montgomery were 21-13, 24-22 winners over Jeffrey Carlson and Antonio Ciarelli, who had reached the final with a 21-14, 21-16 victory over the St Lucians.

The United States captured double gold as Kathryn Babcock and Tracilyn Weamer came from behind to edge Costa Ricans Ingrid Morales and Natalia Alfaro 17-21, 22-20, 15-12 for the women's title.

Dyette and Philip, who had reached the quarterfinals in the previous leg three weeks ago in California, USA, were brushed aside 21-10, 21-9 in the semis by the Costa Ricans. And they were later beaten 26-24, 21-14 by Canadians Kristina Vicek and Victoria Cowley for the bronze medal.

It was the second time that Philip had finished fourth in a NORCECA tournament as the three-time national champion and Nancy Joseph had also just missed the podium in the opening leg of the 2010 circuit.

Joseph injured her knee shortly afterwards, and this tournament was only her second NORCECA competition since she returned from the layoff a few months ago.

The six-time national champ and Pauline Woodroffe reached the quarterfinals, and finished a very creditable fifth overall of the 15 pairs involved in the three-day tournament.

Simon Blake and Colin Bernard, this country's No. 2 male pair, also ended up fifth. This was also a very good effort, especially since Bernard had never competed in a NORCECA event before.

The players returned home yesterday, and are expected to be in action in three weeks time when the Trinidad leg is contested from November 17-19. The penultimate stage will take place the following weekend in Panama, and the 12th and final leg of the 2012 circuit is scheduled for the weekend after in Arub

By Shammi Kowlessar

Source: www.trinidadexpress.com