Golden farewell for Vanuatu beach volleyball star

Vanuatu defeated Tahiti in straight sets to win the women's beach volleyball final at the Pacific Games, ensuring Miller Pata will end her Pacific Games career on a golden note.

Pata and Sherysyn Toko prevailed 21-12, 21-18 on the Apia waterfront yesterday to win Team Vanuatu's second gold medal of the week.

The 31 year old Pata missed the 2015 Games when Vanuatu claimed the silver medal and said it was great to back up the gold medal she won in New Caledonia eight years ago.

"We are really happy to have back the gold medal and yes all our Ni-Van here they are really happy and excited to get back the gold medal."

Miller Pata made her Pacific Games debut in Apia 12 years ago and revealed after the final that her second Samoan Games would also be her last.

"That's my last Pacific Games...we are trying to qualify for Tokyo next year so I still play for World Tour and try to qualify and then after that I can retire."

But the "Super-Mum", who made global headlines when her son Tommy joined her on the podium at last year's Commonwealth Games, believes the future of Vanuatu Beach Volleyball is in good hands.

"We got a bronze medal in 2007 so it's different now, we have more experience and we win some medals in the Asian Tour and World Tour so we've got more experience to come here to participate in the Pacific Games and so yeah we are really happy."