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BV Pro Tour Final - Aine Raupelyte, Monika Paulikiene-4120

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<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1779692024173BV Pro Tour Final - Aine Raupelyte, Monika Paulikiene-4120.JPG" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Lithuania&#x27;s Monika Paulikiene and Aine Raupelyte. PNVF photo</div>MANILA — Lithuanian Olympians Monika Paulikiene and Aine Raupelyte dominated Americans Alaina Chacon and Madelyn Anderson, 21-12, 21-11, to rule the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Nuvali Challenge on Sunday evening at the Nuvali Sands Courts in Santa Rosa, Laguna.The 6-foot-6 Raupelyte imposed her will at the frontline to pull away in the second set, as Paulikiene scored off a lucky dig to mount an 18-8 spread.Chacon briefly stopped the bleeding with Team USA trimming it to 19-11. Paulikiene sent Lithuania to championship point, as Raupelyte scored off a floating ball to seal their first championship together in the Nuvali Challenge.“Like always, just to do the best as I can and be aggressive on the block,” Raupelyte said after erupting for 23 points from 16 kills and seven blocks.The 25-year-old Lithuanian praised Paulikiene, who added 10 off eight spikes and two aces and shed tears of joy after their first title.“She makes my job easier by putting the ball by one touch. I think that we made it because we had a great atmosphere. We’re supporting each other,” she said.Paulikiene and Raupelyte got over the hump after settling for silver in their first two finals in the Tlaxcala Challenge in Mexico last March and the Xiamen Challenge in China early this month.“It’s amazing after playing three years in the Challenger events. It’s our first gold. So we’re really proud of each other,” Raupelyte said.  “This is history for Lithuanians, the first time for Lithuanians to take a gold medal.”“I hope we want to make everyone play volleyball. To want the sport, because it’s amazing, she added.The gold remained elusive for Chacon and Anderson, who lost their second match to the Lithuanians in their last three meetings. Anderson had 11 points, while Chacon was limited to eight.In the men’s division, Australia’s Thomas Hodges and Ben Hood overcame a lethargic first set to eke out a come-from-behind 14-21, 21-16, 15-8 win over Adrian Heidrich and Yves Haussener of Switzerland to earn their maiden Nuvali championship.Carrying the momentum from a strong second set win, Hodges ignited a 10-4 start in the decider before Hood scored off the block to stretch it to 13-7.Hodges nailed a big block to reach championship point, followed by a strong hit by Hood to win it all.“We just had to stick together,” said Hodges, who finished with 23 points.“We had a few moments where, I mean, this morning we lost a set, but we managed to maintain a good head. First set here, they came out and played really, really well. And all full credit to the team to stay composed and to continue to go back to what we do.”“Awesome. It&#x27;s just been really fun and I&#x27;ve really enjoyed just the battles we&#x27;ve had,” added Hood, who tallied 11.Meanwhile, Emi Van Driel and Mila Konink of the Netherlands took down Ukrainian pair Valentyna Davidova and Anhelina Khmil, 22-20, 21-18, to capture the bronze medal.Konink fired 23 points to bounce back from their heartbreaking semis loss to eventual champion Paulikiene and Raupelyte, 21-18, 21-15, earlier.Julian Friedli and Jonathan Jordan of Switzerland bagged the bronze medal of the Nuvali Challenge men’s division after pulling off a come-from-behind 18-21, 21-13, 15-13 win over Germany’s Philipp Huster and Sven Winter.Tied at 13 in the third set, Friedli restored order and sent his team to match point. Jordan delivered the game-winning hit as he went down on his knees in celebration of the tandem’s podium finish.

Lithuanian Olympians Monika Paulikiene and Aine Raupelyte dominated Americans Alaina Chacon and Madelyn Anderson, 21-12, 21-11, to rule the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Nuvali Challenge on Sunday evening at the Nuvali Sands Courts in Santa Rosa, Laguna.

Lithuanian Olympians Monika Paulikiene and Aine Raupelyte dominated Americans Alaina Chacon and Madelyn Anderson, 21-12, 21-11, to rule the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Nuvali Challenge on Sunday evening at the Nuvali Sands Courts in Santa Rosa, Laguna.

Lithuania's Paulikiene, Raupelyte rule Nuvali Challenge

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Lithuania's Paulikiene, Raupelyte rule Nuvali Challenge

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Published May 25, 2026 03:22 PM PHT

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