Megan, Nicole McNamara win Youth Olympic Games silver in beach volleyball
Canada’s McNamara twins gave away some height in Tuesday’s beach volleyball final at the Youth Olympics but performed admirably in winning a silver medal in Nanjing, China.
Riding an eight-game win streak, Megan and Nicole McNamara took the first game against Brazil’s Eduarda Lisboa and six-foot-four Ana Patricia Silva, the tallest women at the Games.
But their opponent proved to be too much on this day as Lisboa and Silva took the next two games by scores of 21-13 and 16-14 to win gold.
“We are very proud of what we accomplished here in Nanjing,” Nicole McNamara said in a statement released by Volleyball Canada. “It’s an amazing feeling to win a silver medal for Canada.”
The McNamaras, who hail from Tsawwassen, B.C., garnered plenty of attention in China for their success on the sand, identical looks and pleasant demeanours.
“The whole experience of the Games is something we will never forget,” said Megan, who along with her sister defeated eventual bronze medallists Lisa Arnholdt and Sarah Schneider 2-0 (21-18 and 21-18) of Germany in a 33-minute semifinal match.
“Special thanks [teammates] Jake [MacNeil] and Andrew [Richards], our coach Mischa and team manager Marc Stromme for making it even more memorable.”
Earlier this month, the McNamaras captured a bronze medal at the Under-19 world volleyball championship.
MacNeil and Richards placed ninth at the YOG.
