Monika Paulikiene and Aine Raupelyte finally captured their first championship together after overpowering Americans Alaina Chacon and Madelyn Anderson, 21-12, 21-11, in the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Nuvali Challenge final on Sunday at the Nuvali Sands Courts.

Raupelyte dominated proceedings at the net, while Paulikiene provided steady all-around support as Lithuania controlled the title match from start to finish before a lively crowd in Santa Rosa.

The towering 6-foot-6 Raupelyte dictated play throughout the second set, helping Lithuania open up a decisive gap before a fortunate defensive touch by Paulikiene pushed the lead to 18-8. Team USA briefly trimmed the margin to 19-11, but Paulikiene drove the pair to championship point before Raupelyte closed the match to seal a long-awaited breakthrough gold medal.

“Like always, just to do the best as I can and be aggressive on the block,” Raupelyte said after finishing with 23 points, built on 16 attacks and seven blocks.

Historic breakthrough for Lithuania

The title marked a major milestone for the Lithuanian tandem, who had fallen short in their first two championship appearances together earlier this season.

Paulikiene and Raupelyte previously settled for silver medals at the Tlaxcala Challenge in Mexico in March and the Xiamen Challenge in China earlier this month.

“This is 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.”

Raupelyte also credited Paulikiene for helping create the chemistry that powered the pair’s title run in the Philippines.

“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 added.

Paulikiene contributed 10 points on eight attacks and two aces and was visibly emotional after finally securing the elusive championship.

“I hope we want to make everyone play volleyball, to want the sport, because it’s amazing,” Raupelyte added.

Chacon and Anderson were denied their first gold medal together after another defeat at the hands of the Lithuanian duo. Anderson led Team USA with 11 points, while Chacon was limited to eight.

Australia rallies for men’s title

Australia’s Thomas Hodges and Ben Hood claimed the men’s championship after bouncing back from a slow start to defeat Switzerland’s Adrian Heidrich and Yves Haussener, 14-21, 21-16, 15-8.

The Australians carried momentum from a strong second set into the decider, opening with a commanding 10-4 run before extending their advantage late. Hodges delivered a key block to reach championship point, while Hood finished the match to secure the pair’s first Nuvali Challenge crown.

“We just had to stick together,” Hodges said after scoring 23 points in the final.

“We had a few moments where they played really, really well, but full credit to the team for staying composed and going back to what we do.”

“Awesome. It’s just been really fun, and I’ve really enjoyed the battles we’ve had,” Hood added after contributing 11 points.

Elsewhere, the Netherlands’ Emi van Driel and Mila Konink secured the women’s bronze medal after defeating Ukraine’s Valentyna Davidova and Anhelina Khmil, 22-20, 21-18.

In the men’s bronze-medal match, Switzerland’s Julian Friedli and Jonathan Jordan rallied past Germany’s Philipp Huster and Sven Winter, 18-21, 21-13, 15-13, to round out the podium.