May 8, 2025.- A long line of international stars of the highest caliber headline their national team rosters for the upcoming edition of the women’s Volleyball Nations League 2025.
As the 30-player team lists were finalized and published on the VNL competition website, a number of stellar names attract the fans’ attention in exciting anticipation of the first major event on the 2025 volleyball national team calendar.
Defending VNL champions Italy will once again be led by two-time VNL Most Valuable Player Paola Egonu, who was also named MVP of the Paris 2024 Olympic volleyball tournament. In fact, most of the reigning Olympic champions are back on coach Julio Velasco’s squad, including Olympic Dream Teamers Alessia Orro, Anna Danesi, Myriam Sylla and Monica De Gennaro.
In the absence of retired Sarina Koga, VNL 2024 runners-up Japan will be led by new captain Mayu Ishikawa. Rising star Yoshino Sato is also on the team. VNL 2024 Dream Team libero Manami Kojima is among the many other stars in new coach Ferhat Akbas’s selection.
The Best Middle Blocker of last year’s edition, Agnieszka Korneluk, highlights the stellar squad of bronze medalists Poland, along with the likes of fabulous Magdalena Stysiak and rising star Martyna Czyrnianska.
Brazil, who finished fourth in VNL 2024 and took bronze at the Olympics, will feature a long line of outstanding athletes, headlined by their charismatic captain Gabriela Guimaraes, a Paris 2024 Dream Team outside hitter, and featuring quality players like Julia Bergmann, Kisy Nascimento, Rosamaria Montibeller, Macris Carneiro, etc.
Three-time VNL champions and Paris 2024 Olympic silver medalists USA are putting forward a very strong line-up as usual, highlighted by Jordyn Poulter, Avery Skinner, Alexandra Frantti and many others.
The reigning crown bearers of the last two editions of the FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship Serbia will be spearheaded by prominent opposite Tijana Boskovic, while her powerful Turkish counterpart Melissa Vargas will lead the reigning European champions and semifinalists at Paris 2024. Among more experienced players like Teodora Pusic, Katarina Lazovic and Maja Aleksic, younger-generation athletes like Hena Kurtagic are expected to shine on Zoran Terzic’s squad, while Daniele Santarelli seems to have kept a core of established Turkish players like Zehra Gunes, Hande Baladin, Ebrar Karakurt, Cansu Ozbay, etc.
Asian champions Thailand, who are getting ready to host the World Championship later this year, are set to offer a solid presence in the VNL with the likes of Chatchu-On Moksri, Pimpichaya Kokram or captain Ajcharaporn Kongyot on the squad. NORCECA champions Dominican Republic will also rely on their top-caliber stars like Brayelin and Jineiry Martinez, Yonkaira Pena or Brenda Castillo.
There will be plenty of world-class talent on the other nine teams as well – Belgium’s Britt Herbots, Bulgaria’s Zhana Todorova, Canada’s Kiera Van Ryk, China’s Gong Xiangyu, Czechia’s Helena Grozer, France’s Helena Cazaute, Germany’s Anna Pogany, Korea’s Kang Sohwi, or Netherlands’ Nika Daalderop, to name a few.
The current lists of 30 players per team are not completely final, as the head coaches can make up to two replacements within the next week. Then, for the participation in each competition week of the VNL, a team line-up of 12-14 players and up to four reserve players is selected among the 30 on the long list.
TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras, May 7, 2025.– In a productive virtual session, the Executive Committee of the Central American Volleyball Association (AFECAVOL) approved key measures to boost volleyball development in the region. Highlights include the official recognition of Final Four tournaments as ranking events for the FIVB World Ranking, the implementation of new competition formats, and confirms El Salvador as host country for the Central American U19 Women’s Championship.
AFECAVOL President Félix Sabio emphasized the need to reach the highest competitive standards in the region. “It is imperative for our zone to pursue the highest standards. If our events don’t grant world ranking points, we limit opportunities for our countries.” In line with FIVB regulations, Sabio stressed the importance of aligning the calendar and competition criteria to avoid disadvantaging any member federation. “We must put aside national interests and think collectively.”
Sabio also stressed that all AFECAVOL member countries must make the effort to participate in the NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour stages to be held in Central America. The aim is to promote this discipline throughout the region and secure valuable ranking points for qualification to continental, Pan American, and world events.
Additionally, Sabio shared that during the recent FIVB Board of Administration meeting, it was decided that multi-sport events in the Olympic cycle would not award world ranking points. Consequently, it was confirmed during the discussions that, this year, the Final Four tournaments will be the ranking events for the region, with the Senior Volleyball Cups to be included starting next year to meet FIVB point requirements. The calendar for these ranking events will take place annually between May and October.
New Competition Formats
With the goal of enhancing the sporting spectacle and creating new revenue streams, AFECAVOL agreed to replace the traditional round-robin format with a competition system that includes a preliminary group stage, qualification rounds, semifinals, and medal matches. Each tournament’s regulations will detail the competition format based on the number of participating teams.
El Salvador to Host U19 Women’s Championship
El Salvador has been confirmed as the host of the 15th Central American U19 Women’s Volleyball Championship, scheduled for November 7–15, 2025.
Visibility, Equality, and Development
AFECAVOL will promote and strengthen female representation within the coaching staff of each national team in all women’s competitions in the zone, in compliance with the requirements approved by FIVB and NORCECA. Additionally, members were informed that Carlos Enrique Santis was appointed as the international technical delegate for the 2025 Central American Games in Guatemala, where indoor volleyball will take place from October 15 to 23 at the Teodoro Palacios Flores Gymnasium, and beach volleyball from October 23 to 31 in Jalapa.
Technical Training and Digital Tools
It was also announced that member countries are required to train at least three referees per country in the use of the electronic scoresheet via the FIVB e-learning platform. This tool, key to the professionalization of volleyball in the region, will be mandatory for referees and scorers in official tournaments. Additionally, during the U23 Men’s Pan American Cup in Guatemala from July 27 to August 4, AFECAVOL VIS staff will receive training as part of the Zonal Development Plan approved during the AFECAVOL General Assembly. This training responds to NORCECA’s push for the standardization and strengthening of zonal associations. The goal is for each national federation, or each zonal association, to have VIS supervisors to reinforce the statistical structure and ensure continuous growth.
In his closing remarks, President Sabio highlighted AFECAVOL’s commitment to seriousness and professionalism. “We must ensure that the majority of countries participate in all competitions and that our authorities recognize that, as a Zonal Association, we are working responsibly, promoting mass participation and raising the competitive level. AFECAVOL will continue to implement technological tools and stay at the forefront of international trends. Our zone is moving forward.”
LAUSANNE, Switzerland, May 7, 2025.- The FIVB is proud to present the second edition of its Empowering the Global Volleyball Movement leaflet, a report outlining the impressive progress made in growing the sport of volleyball and empowering its community worldwide.
The second edition of Empowering the Global Volleyball Movement is now available here. It offers a comprehensive look at a new era of volleyball, driven by a mission to make volleyball more accessible, impactful and a force for positive societal change.
This latest edition highlights the exciting progress made during FIVB President Fabio Azevedo’s first 100 days in office, a period defined by driving progress towards the FIVB Strategic Vision 2032. Work is well underway to strengthen opportunities for global volleyball development while deepening engagement with stakeholders across the Global Volleyball and Olympic Movements.
Among the many milestones celebrated in this edition are the successful Brahmaputra Volleyball League Season 5 Finals, a testament to volleyball’s power to inspire and unite at grassroots level, and the recent FIVB Board of Administration meeting. In addition, the FIVB has expanded its collaborative efforts, forging new partnerships and reinforcing existing ones to amplify volleyball’s reach and impact worldwide.
This period has also seen continued efforts to empower women and youth, building on the success of the initiatives launched in late 2024 , and setting the stage for more in the months ahead. With a dynamic and packed calendar for 2025, the FIVB remains fully committed to driving progress and serving the Global Volleyball Movement – Together as One.
ISTANBUL, Türkiye, May 7, 2025.- The FIVB this week met with the leadership of the Turkish Olympic Committee (TOC) at its headquarters in Istanbul, following the country’s successful hosting of the European Volleyball Confederation (CEV) Champions League Volley 2025 Final Four Women on 3-4 May.
The meeting focused on further strengthening volleyball development in Türkiye and celebrating the nation’s continued success in the global game. It was hosted by TOC President Ahmet Gülüm, a former captain of the Türkiye men’s national volleyball team and long-time advocate for the development of sport in the country. Also in attendance were TOC Treasurer Mustafa Tankut Turnaoğlu, TOC Board Member Özkan Mutlugil, who has previously served as a FIVB Board of Administration member, CEV Vice President and Treasurer, and Turkish Volleyball Federation (TVF) President, as well as the TOC Secretary General Neşe Gündoğan.
Representatives from the Global Volleyball Movement included FIVB President Fabio Azevedo, CEV President and FIVB 2nd Executive Vice-President Roko Sikirić, TVF Director of International Relations and Organizations Department Nilüfer Basak Shimonsky, FIVB General Sports Director Steve Tutton, Volleyball World Chief Business Officer Guido Betti, and FIVB Head of International Affairs and Communications Anna Manuelian.
During the meeting, the FIVB presented its Strategic Vision 2032, a roadmap for advancing the sport through the pillars of professionalism, integration, empowerment and mass participation. Aligned with its motto, “Together as One”, the FIVB delegation reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with the TOC and TVF to further grow volleyball in Türkiye.
Türkiye has become a global powerhouse in volleyball, particularly in the women’s game, with the national team achieving historic successes and clubs consistently performing at the highest levels in international competitions. The recent CEV Final Four underscored the country’s ability to host world-class events and engage fans worldwide. The country is set to host the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) women’s pool in Istanbul later this year.
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, May 6, 2025.- With the participation of 38 coaches from Aruba, Curaçao, Colombia, Haiti, Panama, Puerto Rico, Nicaragua, Venezuela, and the Dominican Republic, the NORCECA-FIVB Regional Volleyball Development Center in Santo Domingo, has officially launched the International Level I Coaching Course.
The five-day course, which includes both theoretical and practical sessions, is led by FIVB Instructor Ariel Sainz Rodríguez from Cuba. He is joined by renowned sports experts Bernardo Mesa, Alexander Gutiérrez (Venezuela), Marcos Kwiek (Brazil), Juvenal Collado, and Víctor Figueroa both from the Dominican Republic.
Opening ceremony
The opening ceremony was presided over by Professor Nelson José Ramírez, Director of the Development Center, and featured welcoming remarks from Mr. Ramón García, President of the Dominican Volleyball Federation. Also in attendance was Professor Neftalí Ventura, representing the Minister of Sports, who congratulated all national and international participants for their dedication to enhancing their knowledge of the most advanced volleyball techniques.
Special recognition was given to Professor Nelson José Ramírez for his efforts to promote sports education not only in the Dominican Republic but also in countries such as Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guatemala, and Mexico, among others.
The course is being held at the Albergue Olímpico and the Juan Pablo Duarte Olympic Center, with the support of the NORCECA Volleyball Confederation, led by Mr. Cristóbal Marte, and the National Institute of Physical Education.
This significant initiative underscores the region’s commitment to the professional development of volleyball coaches and the overall advancement of the sport across the continent.
Jamaica, May 6, 2025.- The Jamaica Volleyball Association’s 2025 Club League concluded in thrilling fashion over the weekend, with the University of the West Indies (UWI) women and Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) men emerging Champions in the finals held at the GC Foster College of Physical Education and Sport.
In the Women’s division, reigning champions University of the West Indies (UWI) successfully defended their title, securing a dominant victory over the Mico Old Students Association (MOSA) in straight sets 25-15, 25-10, 25-17.
UWI Women
The Men’s final featured a highly anticipated rematch of last year’s championship showdown between the University of the West Indies (UWI) and the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF).
In what proved to be a fiercely contested final that went the distance and culminated in a nail-biting fifth set, Jamaica Defence Force emerged victorious once again, retaining their championship crown, winning 3 sets to 2 (25-23, 21-25, 25-21,19-25, 15-9).
CUL- DE- SAC, St Lucia, May 4, 2025.- St Lucia’s durable duo of Joseph Clercent and Sheldon Descartes has champed the 2025 Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) Senior Beach Volleyball Championship here at the Cul- de- Sac Bay.
A come from behind, 2-1 (18-21, 21-16, 15-8) win over Bermuda’s Benjamin Barnet and Sean Tucker, gave Clercent and Descartes their third straight lien on the title.
Reflecting on their continued success in the championships, Joseph said, “It is an honour to win again, because we put in the work, and in order to get the results, you have to put in the work. I am glad that the youngsters want to challenge us and that is good for the sport in this region”.
On behalf of silver medalist – Bermuda, Tucker expressed delight in at least being ranked in the top two of the championships.
“It is deflating to lose in the gold medal match. We really wanted to win, but second is big for Bermuda in general and we are really proud of how we performed. Coming up against the home country, back-to-back champions in the final, they gave us a big challenge, and ended up prevailing, as they are a very skillful team”.
The finalists emerged from the semi-finals in contrasting styles over their opponents.
Clercent/ Descartes beat St Kitts and Nevis’ Bristol /Pencheon 2-1(18-21, 21-16, 15-8), while Barnett/ Tucker outlasted Mervin Mingo and Bill Frederick of Dominica Two, 2-0 (32-30, 21-16).
The Bristol/ Pencheon pair went on to secure third place and the bronze medal for their country, by defeating Mingo/ Frederick 2-1(21-19, 10-21, 15-11).
CUL- DE- SAC, St Lucia, May 4, 2025.- The St. Kitts and Nevis combination of Shajunee Gumbs and Shanicia Dyer have champed the Women’s segment of the 2025 Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) Senior Beach Volleyball Championship here at the Cul- de- Sac Bay.
Gumbs and Dyer registered a 2-0 (21-14, 22-20) win over Bermuda’s Hailey Moss and Megan Hands in the gold medal match.
Before facing off in the final, Gumbs/ Dyer had overcome Clio Phillip/ Tenayestlni Joseph of St. Lucia Team Three 2-0(21-15, 21-18), while Moss/ Hands ensured that there will be a new champion, by defeating Grenada Team One of Thornia Mitchell/ Renisha Stafford, 2-0(26-24, 21-15).
However, Mitchell/ Stafford did not leave empty handed, as they got the better of Phillip/ Joseph, 2-0 (22-20, 21-13), to claim the bronze.
Elated on the country’s triumph, Dyer said: “I am very, very happy for the win, more so my partner, who is relatively new to Beach Volleyball. It is more gratifying as we learned each other’s style of play along the way”.
“We did not win any of our matches in the pool round, but we kept saying that since we can win a set, we can win a match, and we went unbeaten from the Round of 12, straight to the final”.
Magnanimous in their defeat, both Moss/ Hands believed that they are better players, after the three days of competing in the championship.
Moss thus summed up, “ We are proud of how we played and our improvement throughout the Championships. After all, it is an improvement from last year’s showing. We gained a lot of experience, especially how to lift ourselves from the low points”
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, May 4, 2025.- The Criollas de Caguas were crowned champions of Puerto Rico’s Women’s Superior Volleyball League (LVSF) this Sunday, dethroning the defending champions, the Cangrejeras de Santurce, in Game 6 of the KIA Finals Series held at the Roberto Clemente Coliseum in San Juan.
Caguas sealed the title with a 3-1 (23-25, 25-23, 25-13, 25-21) victory, clinching the series four games to two and securing the 15th championship in franchise history.
With the match tied at one set apiece, the Criollas tightened their net defense and pulled ahead, reaching the second technical timeout with a 15-7 lead following an attack by Temi Thomas Ailara off Santurce’s block. They then extended the lead to 16-7 after a hitting error by Helena Grozer into the antenna.
Santurce never recovered. Caguas reached set point at 24-13 after a hitting error by the Cangrejeras and closed the set on the next play due to a double contact by setter Mynelis Rivera.
In the fourth and final set, Caguas led at both technical timeouts, narrowly at 8-7 in the first, and 16-13 in the second, helped by a hitting error from Andrea Rangel.
Santurce tied it to 18 with a spike from Rangel, but the Criollas held firm. Kristin Lux kept the pressure on from the service line and closed out the match, and the championship, with back-to-back aces.
Lux scored 30 points (26 kills, 1 block, and 3 aces) and was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the Finals Series. Temi Thomas and Kath Bell added 16 and 15 points, respectively.
For Santurce, Andrea Rangel led with 25 points, followed by Kara McGhee with 15 and Helena Grozer with 12.
In overall stats, Caguas outperformed Santurce in attacks (62-57), blocks (9-3), and aces (7-1). However, Santurce led in digs (96-91), receptions (41-38), and assists (21-16).
The Cangrejeras were without their captain, Debora Seilhamer, who was absent due to a medical emergency.
VARADERO, Cuba, May 4, 2025.- Corinne Quiggle and Megan Rice of the United States earned their first international podium finish by winning the women’s tournament of the opening stage of the 2025 NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour, held in this renowned resort destination.
The American duo accomplished the goal they had set for themselves by convincingly defeating Mexico’s Susana Torres and Atenas Gutiérrez in straight sets, 21-12 and 21-18, to return home with the desirable top prize.
“We’re very happy because this is only our second international event. We set this goal, and we achieved it. I first came to Varadero in 2016 with a different partner and we finished fifth. I’m thrilled,” said Corinne.
USA Corinne Quiggle-Megan Rice
Her partner, Megan, added, “We’ve felt great here. The beaches are beautiful, and so are the people. There’s a strong culture and Cuban athletes are very professional and full of warmth.”
The bronze medal went to local favorites Kailin Garrido and Maykelin Drik, who battled hard against Mexico’s Yeray Vidaurrazaga and María Ramírez in a match that went to a tie-break, finishing 21-18, 12-21, 15-8.
Earlier on Sunday in the semifinals, Corinne and Megan defeated Kailin and Maykelin 2-0 (21-15, 21-18), showcasing a level of play that confirmed their title chances at a venue where Quiggle placed fifth back in 2016.
In the all-Mexican semifinal, Susana and Atenas beat Yeray and María in straight sets (21-16, 26-24). A foot injury briefly paused the match in the second set, but Atenas recovered and helped seal the win.
Canada’s Amy Ozee and Darby Dunn took fifth place after an injury forced a withdrawal by one of their compatriots, Dana Roskic or Katarina Pantovic, from the opposing team.
Seventh place went to Puerto Rico’s Camila Nazario and Karla Sánchez after a 2-1 victory (18-21, 21-12, 15-12) over Honduras’ Zoe Ebanks and Shanna Rivera, one of only five matches in the tournament to go to three sets.
Cuba’s second team, Amanda Armenteros and Selena Spek, finished ninth after defeating Nicaragua’s Socorro López and Lolette Rodríguez in straight sets (21-12, 21-13).
Rounding out the standings were Suriname’s Chagnaz Frankel and Sharon Balkaran in 11th place after defeating Trinidad and Tobago’s Apphia Glasgow and La Teisha Joseph 2-0 (21-12, 22-20), and Venezuela’s Oriana Bermúdez and Luisiana Linares in 13th, after dominating Dominican Republic’s Crismil Paniagua and Yari Cleto 2-0 (21-16, 21-12).
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, May 4, 2025.- What should have been a vibrant and emotional celebration for the Criollas de Caguas and their fans, after winning the KIA Finals Series of the LVSF, was marred by an unexpected incident that sparked outrage and concern.
As the team and its supporters celebrated their championship, secured in four sets over the Cangrejeras de Santurce, the lights at the Roberto Clemente Coliseum were abruptly turned off, disrupting the award ceremony and jeopardizing the safety of those in attendance.
Dr. César Trabanco, president of the Puerto Rican Volleyball Federation, addressed the situation, emphasizing that beyond the interruption of the trophy presentation, his main concern was the safety of everyone present, especially children and the elderly, who were suddenly exposed to a potentially hazardous situation due to the sudden loss of lighting. “This isn’t just about a disrupted event, it’s about an act that put the well-being of those there to celebrate at risk. Safety must be the top priority at any sporting venue, and incidents like this should never happen under any circumstances,” Trabanco stated, visibly concerned.
The sound system also went out, affecting the Cangrejeras de Santurce, who were waiting to receive their runner-up trophy.
While the exact cause of the blackout remains unclear, reports confirmed there were no electrical failures in the area that could justify the interruption. This makes the incident even more troubling, as it is not considered an isolated case. A similar situation occurred during the 2023 finals held at the same venue, in a series against Corozal.
The continued lack of corrective measures to ensure uninterrupted award ceremonies leaves a poor impression and raises doubts about commitment to safety and respect for the sport.
Additionally, the live broadcast of the match on the digital platform Island Hub, used by the Cangrejeras’ management to stream games online via a pay-per-view model, was interrupted multiple times during the match. Paying fans voiced their frustration, as they invested in the service and were unable to watch the end of the game.
A night that was meant to honor the effort and talent of the Criollas ended on a sour note.
The Federation, teams, and fans all deserve celebrations that are carried out with respect and safety, upholding the spirit of the sport and its positive impact on the community.
VARADERO, Cuba, May 4, 2025.- Cubans Noslen Díaz and Jorge Luis Alayo were crowned kings of the first stage of the 2025 NORCECA Beach Volleyball Circuit, successfully held at this traditional venue since 2011.
Díaz and Alayo, ranked in the FIVB world top ten, claimed their first gold on home soil by convincingly defeating the experienced Nicaraguan duo of Rubén Mora and Dany López in two easy sets, 21-10 and 21-12.
“For us, this medal carries a tremendous sense of honor, pride, and sacrifice, it’s a gift to the Cuban people, and we’re incredibly happy. Playing here is very motivating; it’s a chance to be seen in our homeland and have our family and friends cheering nearby,” said an passionate Alayo to the press.
CUB Noslen Diaz-Jorge Luis Alayo
His towering partner added, “This means a lot to us. We’ve wanted to win gold here for four years. We’ve earned five medals on the world tour, but never in Varadero. This is our gift to the people and all who support us. We’ll keep fighting to bring more victories, and we’re thrilled that the final stage of this circuit is scheduled to be held right here on this wonderful beach.”
The bronze medal went to their compatriots Damián Gómez and Eblis Veranes, who dominated Puerto Rico’s Arnaldo Y. Torres and Cristian Encarnación in straight sets, 21-10 and 21-9, a remarkable achievement considering they debuted in Varadero just a year ago with a ninth-place finish.
In the semifinals, Noslen and Jorge Luis defeated Damián and Eblis 2-0 (21-16, 21-10), while the Nicaraguans Rubén and Dany edged out the Puerto Ricans Torres and Encarnación in a hard-fought 2-1 (21-16, 19-21, 17-15) battle, with the Caribbean pair pushing them to the limit in a thrilling tie-break that could have gone either way.
Fifth place went to Americans Troy Field and Ryan Wilcox, who outplayed Canada’s Steven Abrams and Tynan Gannett 2-0 (21-15, 21-19).
Seventh place was secured by fellow Americans Charles Siragusa and Dexter Campbell after defeating William Clements and Devin Van Siclen of the U.S. Virgin Islands in straight sets, 21-15 and 21-16.
Mexico’s Miguel Sarabia and Jorman Osuna finished ninth by nonattendance after one of the players of the Canadian duo, Martin Licht and Luke de Greeff, was injured and unable to compete. The eleventh position went to Costa Rica’s Justin Solano and Jevan Coronado, who overcame Honduras’ Jairo Gálvez and Irvin Reyes 2-0 (21-18, 21-10).
Mexico’s Antonio Vargas and Carlos Andrés Ayala defeated Venezuela’s Enyenser Delgado and Juliangel Zaid in a tight 2-1 match (21-23, 21-19, 20-18) to claim 13th place.
They were followed by Trinidad and Tobago’s Stephen Enile and Joel Theodore, who beat Suriname’s Joshua Dwarkasing and Dean Kasdi 2-0 (21-15, 21-11), and the Dominican Republic duo Hayerling De Jesús and Rolvin Maldonado, who won over Guatemala’s Andy Blanco and Luis García 2-0 (21-15, 21-18) to round out the standings from 15th to 18th place.
VARADERO, Cuba, May 3, 2025.- Both Cuban duos, along with teams from Nicaragua and Puerto Rico, secured their spots in the men’s semifinal round of the 2025 NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour, taking place on the courts near the Barceló Arenas Blancas Hotel.
The highest-ranked team in the tournament, Cubans Noslen Díaz and Jorge Luis Alayo, will face fellow countrymen Damián Gómez and Eblis Veranes, young, energetic players who have made remarkable progress since their debut last year at this same venue.
The other semifinal will feature Nicaragua’s Rubén Mora and Dany López against Puerto Rico’s Arnaldo Y. Torres and Cristian Encarnación.
NCA-Mora (1) – Lopez (2)
For Olympians Díaz and Alayo, this semifinal is particularly meaningful, as they have yet to claim the top spot on the podium in the last two Varadero editions, settling for bronze in 2023 and silver last year.
In Saturday’s quarterfinals, Díaz and Alayo dominated Americans Charles Siragusa and Dexter Campbell, cruising to a convincing 2-0 victory with scores of 21-7 and 21-11.
Gómez and Veranes had a tougher challenge in the first set but found their rhythm in the second, defeating U.S. Virgin Islands’ Williams Clements and Devin Van Siclen 2-0 (28-26, 21-13).
Meanwhile, Puerto Ricans Torres and Encarnación overcame a rough second set to edge Americans Troy Field and Ryan Wilcox in three sets (21-16, 14-21, 15-10).
The final ticket to the penultimate round went to Nicaragua’s Mora and López, who won the tournament’s longest and most hard-fought match so far. After one hour and eight minutes, they triumphed over Canadians Steven Abrams and Tynan Gannett in three sets (22-24, 28-26, 15-12).
Day’s Results (pool-play):
A: Diaz/Alayo (CUB) a Sarabia/Osuna (MEX) 2-0 (21-15, 21-9) y a De Jesús/Maldonado (DOM) 2-0 (21-16, 21-12), Field/Wilcox (USA) a Sarabia/Osuna (MEX) 2-0 (21-17, 21-14), Esyenser/Juliangel (VEN) a De Jesus/Maldonado (DOM) 2-0 (21-16, 21-21)
B: Torres/Encarnación (PUR) a Licht/de Greeff (CAN) 2-0 (21-15, 21-19), Blanco/García (GUA) a Siragusa/Campbell (USA) 2-0 (24-22, 24-22), Lares/Carlos Andrés (MEX) a Blanco/Garcia (GUA) 2-0 (21-17, 21-13), Siragusa/Campbell (USA) a Torres/Encarnación (PUR) 2-1 (21-19, 17-21, 15-8)
C: Gómez/Veranes (CUB) a Enile/Theodore (TTO) 2-0 (21-18, 21-6), Abrams/Gannett (CAN) a Solano/Coronado (CRC) 2-0 (21-9, 21-17), Abrams/Gannett (CAN) a Enile/Theodore (TTO) 2-0 (21-11, 21-10)
D: Clements/Van Siclen (ISV) a Gálvez/Reyes (HON) 2-0 (21-17, 21-14), Mora/López (NCA) a Clements/Van Siclen (ISV) 2-0 (21-18, 25-23), Gálvez/Reyes (HON) a Dwarkasing/Kasdi (SUR) 2-1 (21-17, 18-21, 15-7)
VARADERO, Cuba, May 3, 2025.- Two teams from Mexico, one from Cuba, and one from the United States have advanced to the women’s semifinals of the NORCECA Beach Volleyball Circuit, which concludes this Sunday on the sands of the renowned tourist resort.
The Mexican duos of Susana Torres/Atenas Gutiérrez and Yamilet Vidaurrazaga/María Jimena Ramírez, the Cuban pair of Kailin Garrido/Maykelín Drik, and the American team of Corinne Quiggle/Megan Rice were victorious in their respective quarterfinal matches.
This Sunday morning, the two Mexican teams will face off across the net semifinals, while the representatives from the United States and Cuba will clash in the other.
In the quarterfinals, Kailin and Maykelín advanced by defeating Puerto Ricans Camila Nazario and Karla Sánchez in straight sets (21-15, 21-11), marking their third win of the tournament, which is part of their preparation for the 2025 Junior Pan American Games in Asunción.
USA-Corinne Quiggle-Megan Rice
Next, Corinne Quiggle and Megan Rice of the United States cruised over Varadero’s soft white sands against Honduras’ Jeanette Ebanks and Shanna Rivera, winning comfortably with set scores of 21-5 and 21-7.
Meanwhile, the two Mexican and two Canadian teams faced each other, with the first win going to Latin Americans Susana Torres and Atenas Gutiérrez, who claimed a 2-0 (21-15, 21-19) victory over Canadians Dana Roskic and Katarina Pantovic.
The women’s day concluded with a hard-fought win by Yamilet Vidaurrazaga and María Jimena Ramírez over Amy Ozee and Darby Dunn in the closest match of the round, finishing 21-18 and 26-24.
Among these semifinalists, the only team without World Beach Pro Tour experience is the Cuban pair, while the Mexican and American players have competed in both Elite and Challenge level events.
In addition to the semifinals, Sunday’s schedule includes classification matches from fifth place onward and will end with the gold and bronze medal matches.
CAGUAS, Puerto Rico, April 2, 2025. – The defending champions, Cangrejeras de Santurce, kept their title hopes alive on Friday night by sweeping the Criollas de Caguas (25-18, 25-21, 25-21) in the KIA Finals Series of the Women’s Volleyball Superior League (LVSF).
Coming into the match down 1-3 in the series and having lost the previous three matches in straight sets, Santurce faced a packed Roger Mendoza court ready to witness a championship celebration.
Up two sets, the Cangrejeras maintained their rhythm and took a 16-14 lead in the third set thanks to a successful attack by Andrea Rangel from zone two, going off Stephanie Enright’s block. Later, Rangel delivered an ace followed by a back-row attack from Tamara Otene to extend the lead to 19-15. Caguas struggled to recover.
Santurce reached set point at 24-20 with a block on Enright, and it was Otene who sealed the victory with a clean attack from zone two.
After the match, Cangrejeras setter Andrea Fuentes praised her team’s character, saying they overcame the 1-3 series deficit with determination: “Coming here tonight, to a court ready to celebrate, and being able to win in straight sets shows how much character we have,” said the young setter from Caguas.
Fuentes highlighted team unity and mental composure as key factors in the win. She also stated that she feels no internal conflict playing against Caguas, explaining that at this stage of her career, she prepares to face any opponent with the same mindset.
Meanwhile, Criollas middle blocker Diana Reyes acknowledged her team’s struggles at the net and with passing but emphasized that the series is not over yet: “Now we just need to go to practice tomorrow (Saturday), focus on what went wrong, fix it, and head into Sunday ready,” she concluded.
Offensively, Andrea Rangel led Santurce with 22 points (14 attacks, 3 blocks, and 5 aces). Tamara Otene added 15, Kara McGhee scored 14, and Helena Grozer chipped in with 11 points.
No player from Caguas reached double digits; Kath Bell was their top scorer with 9 points.
The Cangrejeras dominated in all facets of the game; 47-34 in attacks, 12-3 in blocks, 7-4 in aces, 54-51 in digs, 43-34 in passes, and 18-10 in assists.
The series now returns to the Roberto Clemente Coliseum, home of the Cangrejeras, for Game 6, scheduled for Sunday at 6:12 p.m.
CUL- DE- SAC, St Lucia, May 2, 2025.- The sunbaked venue did not deter the women from giving it their all on day one of the 2025 Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) Senior Beach Volleyball Championships here at the Cul de Sac Bay.
At the end of the day’s high energy action, the winners of Pool C and D, Dominica and St. Lucia, respectively, were determined.
Topping Pool C was Dominica’s Joeanna Pascal and Zahidu Henry, who defeated Grenada’s duo of Teasis Jones and Sienna Dominique 2-0 (21-15, 21-10) and won on forfeiture from Marie Therese St Clair and Kurtrice Jules of St Lucia.
Meanwhile, Pool D was champed by the St Lucia’s Kerin Neptune and Erica Gaspard. They recorded a 2-1 (15-21, 21-18, 15-9) win over Antigua and Barbuda’s Jassania Joseph and Rayana Regis. Neptune and Gaspard then defeated Hailey Moss and Megan Hands of Bermuda, 2-0(21-13, 21-19).
Also on day one, in Pool A, St Lucia’s Denila Prospere and Chenoa Evans trumped 2-0(21-16, 21-10) over Anguilla ‘s Lavesha Richardson and Deandre Fleming. This, after Richardson and Fleming had overcome St Vincent and the Grenadines’ Nikita Campbell and Veronique Matthews, 2-1 (11-21, 21-16, 15-4).
In Pool B, there were wins for St Lucia and Grenada.
The St Lucian combination of Tenayestlgni Joseph and Clio Phillip defeated St Kitts and Nevis’ Shajunee Gumbs and Shanicia Dyer 2-1(21-15, 18-21, 15-12). Likewise, Grenada’s Thornia Mitchell and Renisha Stafford beat Gumbs and Dyer 2-1(13-21, 21-18, 15-8).
Pool A and B winners will be decided on day two. In Pool A, Prospere/ Evans meet Campbell, with Mitchell and Stafford facing Joseph and Phillip in Pool D decider.
The other preliminary match on day two features Moss/ Hands versus Joseph/ Regis, as Pool D closes off.
Following the completion of the preliminary matches, the playoff takes place to determine the matchups in the quarter finals against the winners of the four pools.
CUL- DE- SAC, St Lucia, May 2, 2025.- St Lucia Team One, Dominica Two, Grenada Team Two and Dominica Team One, finished day one with two wins each, to lead their respective pools in the Men’s segment of the 2025 Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) Senior Beach Volleyball Championships here at the Cul de Sac Bay.
St Lucia Team One of Sheldon Descartes and Joseph Clercent were clinical in Pool A play, beating Bermuda’s Benjamin Barnett and Sean Tucker of Bermuda, 2-0(21-18, 21-9). Descartes and Clercent also offloaded Anguilla’s duo of Aiden Hazzard and Da’ Qwan Fredericks, 2-0(21-14, 21-16).
Dominica’s Team Two of Mervin Mingo and Bill Frederick beat Julian Bristol and Jedediah Pencheon 2-0(21-18, 21-12) then swished the duo of Ronaldo Franklyn and Shadron Delpesche of St Vincent and the Grenadines also 2-0(21-9, 21-14).
Meanwhile, Grenada’s Team Two comprising Zerick Walcott and Kibose Hamilton, headed up Pool C.
They had the better of St Lucia Team Two, of Peter Emmanuel and Jentezen Joseph, 2-0(21-13, 21-14) and recorded a hard fought 2-1(21-19, 20-22, 15-12) win over Antigua and Barbuda’s pair of Khaliq Joseph and Cairon Davis.
Completing the double victors on the day, was Dominica Team One, comprising Tyrel Robinson and Yahn Florent who were unbeaten in Pool D.
Robinson/ Florent defeated St Lucia Team Three of Diallo Albert and Lindan Clarke, 2-0(21-12, 21-7,) and overcame Grenada Team One of Christopher Oxford and Isaac Nelson, 2-0(21-18, 21-18)
The pool winners earn direct tickets to the quarterfinals.
Day two features the playoffs in Round of 12, with eight teams other than the pool winners. The quarterfinals pit the pool winners matched up against the Round of 12 winners.
Round of 12: Barnett/ Tucker vs Albert/ Clarke; Franklyn/ Delpesche vs Emmanuel /Joseph; Joseph/ Davis vs Bristol/ Pencheon; Oxford/ Nelson vs Hazzard/ Fredericks
VARADERO, Cuba, May 2, 2025.- Pairs from five countries remain undefeated and have strong chances of advancing this Saturday to the quarterfinals of the first phase of the NORCECA Beach Volleyball Circuit, taking place on four courts set up near the Barceló Arenas Blancas hotel.
The host duo Kailin Garrido/Maykelin Drik in Pool A, Puerto Ricans Camila Nazario/Karla Sánchez and Americans Corinne Quiggle/Megan Rice in Pool B, and Canadians Amy Ozee/Darby Dunn along with Mexicans Susana Torres/Atenas Gutiérrez in Pool C all won their first two matches.
Susana Torres (1)-Atenas Gutiérrez (2) MEX
Also, the pair of Dana Roskic/Katarina Pantovic from Canada and the Mexican duo Susana Torres/Atenas Gutiérrez in Pool D secured victories and have equal chances to advance on Saturday when the preliminary round concludes.
First day results:
Grupo A: Ebanks/Rivera (HON) a Glasgow/Joseph (TTO) 2-0 (21-14, 21-14) , Kailin/Drik (CUB) a Ebanks/Rivera (HON) 2-0 (21-9, 21-16),
Grupo B: Nazario/Sanchez (PUR) a Frankel/Balkaran (SUR) 2-0 (21-3, 21-8), Quiggle/Rice (USA) a Frankel/Balkaran (SUR) 2-0 (21-8, 21-4) .
Grupo C: Torres/Gutiérrez (MEX) a Ori/Luisiana (VEN) 2-1 (21-11, 25-27, 15-8), Ozee/Dunn (CAN) a Amanda/Spek (CUB) 2-0 (21-17, 21-13), Ozee/Dunn (CAN) a Ori/Luisiana (VEN) 2-0 (21-15, 21-14), Torres/Gutiérrez (MEX) a Amanda/Spek (CUB) 2-0 (21-11, 21-19).
Grupo D: Roskic/Pantovic (CAN) a Paniagua/Cleto (DOM) 2-0 (21-6, 21-16), Vidaurrazaga/Ramírez (MEX) a López/Lolette (NCA) 2-0 (21-13, 21-13), Roskic/Pantovic (CAN) a López/Lolette (NCA) 2-0 (21-15, 21-16), Vidaurrazaga/Ramírez (MEX) a Paniagua/Cleto (DOM) 2-0 (21-11, 22-20).
VARADERO, Cuba, May 1, 2025.- Both Cuban teams and Nicaragua’s duo were the only undefeated squads in the opening of pool play at the 2025 NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour, which kicked off its season in this tourist hotspot.
Noslen Díaz and Jorge Luis Alayo lived up to their status as tournament favorites, defeating Venezuela’s Enyenser Delgado and Juliangel Zaid 2-0 (21-19, 21-16), and the U.S. team of Troy Field and Ryan Wilcox, also in straight sets (21-17, 21-19) in Pool A.
Their fellow Cubans, Damián Gómez and Eblis Veranes, also picked up two victories, this time in Pool C, beating Costa Rica’s Justin Solano and Jevan Coronado 2-0 (21-12, 21-14), and Canada’s Steven Abrams and Tynan Gannett 2-0 (21-18, 21-15). They had a bye in their third match.
Jorge Alayo CUB
Also undefeated on this sunny day were Nicaragua’s Rubén Mora and Dany López, who dominated Suriname’s Joshua Dwarkasing and Dean Kasdi 2-0 (21-11, 21-4), and Honduras’ Jairo Gálvez and Irvin Reyes 2-0 (21-7, 21-11) in Pool D.
Pool play will conclude Saturday morning, followed by the quarterfinals. Semifinals and medal matches are scheduled for Sunday at the beautiful venue near the Barceló Arenas Blancas hotel.
Results first day:
Pool A: Díaz/Alayo (CUB) a Esyenser/Juliangel (VEN) 2-0 (21-19, 21-16), Field/Wilcox (USA) a De Jesús/Maldonado (DOM] 2-0 (21-17, 21-11), Diaz/Alayo (CUB) a Field/Wilcox (USA) 2-0 (21-17, 21-19), Esyenser/Juliangel (VEN) a Sarabia/Osuna (MEX) 2-0 (21-17, 21-19), Sarabia/Osuna (MEX) a De Jesús-Maldonado 2-0 (21-18, 21-10), Field/Wilcox (USA) a Esyenser/Juliangel (VEN) No Show.
Pool B: Lares/Carlos Andrés (MEX) a Siragusa/Campbell (USA) 2-0 (21-16, 21-16), Licht/de Greeff (CAN) a Blanco/García (GUA) 2-0 (21-13, 21-15), Siragusa/Campbell (USA) a Licht/de Greeff (CAN) 2-1 (21-15, 19-21, 15-8), Lares/Carlos Andrés (MEX) a Torres/Encarnacion (PUR) 2-0 (21-17, 21-16), Torres/Encarnación (PUR) a Blanco/García (GUA) 2-1 (18-21, 21-13, 15-11), Licht/de Greeff (CAN) a Lares/Carlos Andrés (MEX) No Show.
Pool C: Gómez/Veranes (CUB) a Solano/Coronado (CRC) 2-0 (21-12, 21-14) y a Abrams/Gannett (CAN) 2-0 (21-18, 21-15), Solano/Coronado (CRC) a Enile/Theodore (TTO) 2-0 (21-17, 21-9).
Pool D: Mora/López (NCA) a Dwarkasing/Kasdi (SUR) 2-0 (21-11, 21-4) y a Galvez/Reyes (HON) 2-0 (21-7, 21-11), Clements/Van Siclen (ISV) a Dwarkasing/Kasdi (SUR) 2-0 (21-15, 21-18).
VARADERO, Cuba, April 25, 2025.- Canada, the United States, Mexico, and Cuba are seen as the countries with the strongest podium chances, as each will have two teams competing in the men’s tournament of the 2025 NORCECA Beach Volleyball Circuit in Varadero.
The host nation is counting on the strong form of its top duo, Noslen Díaz and Jorge Luis Alayo, thanks to their impressive start this year on the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour. However, despite playing at home, they have yet to claim the top spot in Varadero, settling for bronze in 2023 and silver in 2024.
“I think third time’s the charm, but we respect all our opponents, no one comes to a tournament to lose,” said Alayo.
Mexico arrived on the island under the guidance of the renowned Brazilian coach Ricardo Santos, Olympic champion in Athens 2004, silver medalist in Sydney 2000, and bronze medalist in Beijing 2008.
Canada and the United States have traditionally been among the most successful teams at this event, which also marks the beginning of the qualification process for the 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games in Santo Domingo.
Eighteen matches will be played this Friday as the qualification round kicks off, continuing Saturday with the decisive matches that will determine who advances to the quarterfinals.
Pool A: Noslen Diaz-Jorge Luis Alayo (CUB), Troy Field-Ryan Wilcox (USA), Miguel Sarabia-Jorman Osuna (MEX), Enyenser Delgado-Juliangel Zaid (VEN) y Hayerling De Jesus-Rolvin Maldonado (DOM)
Pool B: Martin Licht-Luke de Greeff (CAN), Antonio Vargas-Carlos Andrés Ayala (MEX), Charles Siragusa-Dexter Campbell (USA), Andy Blanco-Luis Garcia (GUA) y Arnaldo Torres-Cristian Encarnación (PUR)
Pool C: Steven Abrams-Tynan Gannett (CAN), Damián Gómez-Eblis Veranes (CUB), Justin Solano -Jevan Coronado (CRC) y Stephen Enile-Joel Theodore (TTO)
Pool D: Ruben Mora-Dany López (NCA), William Clements-Devin Van Siclen (ISV), Jairo Galvez-Irvin Reyes (HON) y Joshua Dwarkasing-Dean Kasdi (SUR)
VARADERO, Cuba, April 25, 2025.- Fourteen teams from eleven countries will compete at the opening of the 2025 NORCECA Beach Volleyball Circuit, which will take place from this Friday through Sunday on courts near the Barceló Arenas Blancas Hotel.
Canada, Mexico, and Cuba will each field two pairs, while the United States, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Suriname, Nicaragua, Honduras, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela will each participate with one team.
This circuit awards points toward the continental and world rankings and also marks the start of the qualification process for the 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games in Santo Domingo. With the aim of securing spots for that multi-sport event, South American nations Venezuela and Colombia are also included.
Among the standout competitors in this tourist city – a regular host of the NORCECA Tour since 2011 – are Mexico’s Susana Torres and Atenas Gutiérrez, medalists at several stops and participants this year in the World Pro Beach Tour in Yucatán (Challenge) and Quintana Roo (Elite), under the guidance of Brazilian coach Regis Castro, a bronze medalist at the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Also with World Pro Tour appearances, though with different partners, are American Corinne Quiggle and Canadian Dana Roskic.
Pool A: Kailin Garrido-Maykelin Drik (CUB), Zoe Ebanks-Shanna Rivera (HON), and Apphia Glasgow-La Teisha Joseph (TTO)
Pool B: Corinne Quiggle-Megan Rice (USA), Camila Nazario-Karla Sánchez (PUR) and Chagnaz Frankel-Sharon Balkaran (SUR)
Pool C: Amy Ozee-Darby Dunn (CAN), Amanda Armenteros-Selena Spek (CUB), Susana Torres-Atenas Gutiérrez (MEX) and Oriana Bermudez-Luisiana Linares (VEN)
Pool D: Dana Roskic-Katarina Pantovic(CAN), Crismil Paniagua-Yari Cleto (DOM), Yeray Vidaurrazaga-María Ramírez (MEX) and Socorro López-Lolette Rodríguez (NCA)
CUL- DE- SAC, St Lucia, May 1, 2025: Eight countries, twenty- four teams all together will be toughing it out in the sand in the 2025 Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) Senior Beach Volleyball Championships here at the Cul de Sac Bay.
At stake is the coveted prize of champion, as twelve teams each are listed in both genders.
The St Lucia pair of Sheldon Descartes and Joseph Clercent, champions in 2023 and 2024, will be looking to make it three in succession, as Men’s winners, while Grenada’s Thornia Mitchell and Renisha Stafford, are confident of retaining the Women’s title, they champed last year.
The teams are divided in four Pools, with three teams stashed in each pool.
Men’s Play
Pool A St Lucia: Sheldon Descartes/ Joseph Clercent; Anguilla: Aiden Hazzard/ Da’ Qwan Frederick; Bermuda: Benjamin Barnett/ Sean Tucker
Pool B St Vincent and the Grenadines: Ronaldo Franklyn/ Shadron Delpesche; St Kitts and Nevis: Julian Bristol/ Jedediah Pencheon; Dominica: Mervin Mingo/ Bill Frederick
Pool C Antigua and Barbuda: Khaliq Joseph/ Cairon Davis; St Lucia: Peter Emmanuel/ Jentezen Joseph; Grenada: Zerick Walcott/ Kibose Hamilton
Pool D Dominica: Tyrel Robinson/ Yahn Florent; Grenada: Christopher Oxford/ Isaac Nelson; St Lucia: Didllo Albert/ Lindan Clarke
Women’s Play
Pool A St Lucia: Denila Prospere/ Chenoa Evans; Anguilla: Lavesha Richardson/ Deandre Fleming; St Vincent and the Grenadines: Nikita Campbell/ Veronique Matthews
Pool B Grenada: Thornia Mitchell/ Renisha Stafford; Shajunee Gumbs/Shanicia Dyer; St Lucia: Tenayestlgni Joseph/ Clio Phillip
Pool C Dominica: Joeanna Pascal/ Zahidu Henry, St Lucia: Marie Therese St Clair/ Kurtrice Jules; Grenada: Teasis Jones/ Sienna Dominique
Pool D Bermuda: Hailey Moss/ Megan Hands; Antigua and Barbuda: Jassania Joseph/ Rayana Regis; St Lucia: Kerin Neptune/ Erica Gaspard
Twenty- one matches, twelve in Men’s play and nine among the Women’s pools, are carded for day one.
ASUNCION, Paraguay, April 30, 2025.- In an emotional ceremony at the Ignacio A. Pane Municipal Theater in Asuncion, Paraguay, the medals for the II Junior Pan American Games were unveiled.
The medals, which were created inspired by the guarania, a musical expression that embodies the Paraguayan soul, have the score of Jejuí (first guarania) in their design.
As the sun set over the heart of the Mother of Cities, the iconic Ignacio A. Pane Municipal Theater welcomed guests to a special evening that celebrated culture, history, and sport. In a ceremony filled with symbolism, one of the most anticipated emblems of the Games was revealed: the official medal of the Junior Pan American Games Asunción 2025—a piece that honors Paraguay’s soul and identity.
During this symbolic evening, with words shared by Camilo Pérez López Moreira, President of the Paraguayan Olympic Committee and IOC member; Neven Illic, President of Panam Sports; and César Ramírez Caje, Minister of Sports, the most emblematic symbol of the event was officially unveiled: the medal of the Junior Pan American Games Asunción 2025.
Inspired by the guarania, a musical expression that embodies the Paraguayan soul, the medal was presented alongside an emotional reinterpretation of Jejuí, the first guarania composed by José Asunción Flores, the father of the genre.
With just 100 days to go before the most important youth sporting event of the continent, Asunción is preparing to welcome hundreds of young athletes who will chase Olympic glory and seal their dreams with the highest honor worn on their chest: the medal.
From Inspiration and Design to a Symbol of Continental Sport
One hundred years ago, in Asunción, a young José Asunción Flores, at just 21, composed a piece whose emotional depth and lyrical beauty would come to define the Paraguayan spirit. He translated the emotions of an entire people into song, immortalizing the Paraguayan soul in the form of the guarania. This legacy, now recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, was the starting point for designing the ASU2025 medal.
The Local Organizing Committee, in collaboration with biographer Antonio Pecci—who provided invaluable insights into Flores’ life—and with the brilliant work of María Victoria Sosa Zárate, Director of the Asunción Symphony Orchestra, who succeeded in visually translating the score of Jejuí—the first guarania—into the official design of the medal. After countless hours of research and design, the medal took shape with a minimalist aesthetic, deeply rooted in the cultural identity of Paraguay.
The front of the medal begins with the characteristic 6/8 tempo of the guarania and continues with the musical notes of Jejuí, engraved within the staff that circles most of the medal’s edge. On the back, the inscription reads: “Tribute to the Centennial of the Guarania: Jejuí.” This icon will accompany each athlete as a reminder that Asunción was a turning point on their path to glory—just as it was for the creator of the genre that represents us.
Jejuí x ASU2025
As part of this tribute, Jejuí was reinterpreted by the National Symphony Orchestra. This moving version was performed live during the gala, filling the Ignacio A. Pane Municipal Theater with its sound. A renewed rendition that conveys the strength and energy that will define the Junior Pan American Games Asunción 2025.
In total, 1,077 medals will be awarded at ASU2025: 333 gold, 333 silver, and 411 bronze.
The Junior Pan American Games will officially open in Asunción on August 9 and run through August 23, bringing together over 4,000 athletes from across the continent to make history.
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, April 30, 2025.- The Criollas de Caguas earned their third victory over the Cangrejeras de Santurce, moving just one win away (3-1) from claiming the Kia Final Series title of the Women’s Volleyball Superior League (LVSF) of Puerto Rico.
Caguas won in straight sets, 3-0 (27-25, 25-18, 26-24).
With the visitors up two sets, both teams split the technical timeouts in the third set. Santurce led the first one 8-7, with Neira Ortiz performing effectively through the middle. Caguas took the second technical timeout at 16-15 thanks to an attacking error by Helena Grozer, whose hit from zone four got caught in the net.
Kath Bell of Criollas
Attacking from zone four, Santurce’s Andrea Rangel committed an error that gave the Criollas a three-point lead (18-15). Santurce responded with pressure, showing strong net play and defense. After trailing 21-24, they rallied with three consecutive points to tie the set and force extra points. However, their surge wasn’t enough to extend the match.
The Criollas earned set point at 25-24 when Sofía Victoria broke through the Cangrejeras’ block. On the next play, Temi Thomas Ailara sealed the win for Caguas with an attack from zone four.
Following the victory, Criollas libero Okiana Valle De Jesús said:
“This series isn’t over yet; we have to come out and play again on Friday. That’s our focus. It’s not over until the final point is played and the whistle blows.”
She revealed that Caguas’ key to success, winning nine straight sets so far, has been staying focused on the present:
“We’re not thinking about the future or the championship. We’re going game by game, point by point, trying to do our best and make adjustments in the moment to win the first set, then the second, and the third, and ultimately the match. Most of all, we hope to close the series in Caguas and enjoy it,” she concluded.
The top scorers for Caguas were Kath Bell with 18 points, followed by Temi Thomas Ailara with 15, and Kristin Lux with 11.
For Santurce, Tamara Otene led with 15 points, followed by Neira Ortiz with 12, and Kara McGhee with 10.
The series returns to Caguas this Friday at the Roger Mendoza Coliseum at 8:00 p.m.
Las Cangrejeras de Santurce are the defending champions.
LAUSANNE, Switzerland, April 30, 2025.- The FIVB welcomed a senior delegation from Orlando, Florida, to the Volleyball House in Lausanne for high-level discussions centered on strategic collaboration and the advancement of volleyball initiatives in the region.
The Orlando delegation was led by Mayor Buddy Dyer (City of Orlando), Mayor Jerry Demings (Orange County) and Jason Siegel, President & Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Orlando Sports Commission.
The visit began with a tour of the Volleyball House, followed by a formal presentation of the FIVB Strategic Vision 2032 by FIVB President Fabio Azevedo. This long-term framework is built on four key pillars: Professionalism, Integration, Empowerment, and Mass Participation. These principles are designed to ensure the continued global development of volleyball, with a focus on broad accessibility, growth and positive impact.
During the visit, discussions were held on the potential hosting and activation opportunities in Orlando in the lead-up to the Olympic Games LA28. This follows a highly successful Olympic Games Paris 2024 for the USA in volleyball. The USA clinched the silver medal in the women’s competition and bronze in the men’s competition.
The discussions today demonstrate the FIVB’s ongoing efforts to further elevate the profile of volleyball and amplify its reach and impact around the world.
LAUSANNE, Switzerland, April 29, 2025.- FIVB President Fabio Azevedo and the FIVB Volleyball Foundation President Dr Ary Graça met with representatives from the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) and the Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS). Their meeting aimed to further deepen their growing collaboration aimed at transforming lives through volleyball and education.
The KIIT and KISS delegation was led by Dr Achyuta Samanta, Founder of KIIT and KISS, and Dr Varun Suthra, the universities’ Director of International Relations.
During the meeting, both parties discussed a wide range of exciting initiatives, including further collaboration opportunities through volleyball events, expanded coach education opportunities and beach volleyball coaching support for the universities. Discussions also included a prospective FIVB visit to a KIIT-KISS Centre of Excellence, scholarship opportunities for talented athletes and joint celebrations for World Volleyball Day, which was recently confirmed by the FIVB Executive Board as 7 July.
This meeting builds upon the landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in October 2024 between the FIVB Volleyball Foundation, KIIT and KISS. The agreement marked a new chapter in the organization’s shared mission to drive youth participation in volleyball and open pathways for education, empowerment and development through sport.
The strength of this partnership was demonstrated during the KISS Volleyball Foundation Festival in Bhubaneswar, India, in October 2024 which set a Guinness World Record for the most players in a volleyball exhibition match, bringing together 430 participants. The festival welcomed more than 40,000 children, including 5,000 young volleyball players, in a powerful celebration of the sport’s ability to unite and inspire.
Through the FIVB’s Strategic Vision 2032, the FIVB is committed to creating more opportunities for young people through volleyball, and the collaboration with KIIT and KISS helps to make volleyball more accessible, impactful and a force for positive societal change worldwide.
MANAGUA, Nicaragua, April 27, 2025.- Laura Molina/Aliza Aguilar from Costa Rica and twins Yoel and Christopher Guardado from El Salvador captured the titles at the inaugural Central American U23 Beach Volleyball Championship.
Molina/Aguilar won a hard-fought final 2-1 (21-14, 7-21, 15-11) against Nicaragua’s Nahima Silva/Norma Brenes, who forced a third set with a gritty performance in the second. In the end, the Costa Ricans sealed the victory thanks to their effective serving and sharp line shots.
In the battle for third place, El Salvador’s Karla Tovar/Daniela Vigil defeated Honduras’ Shanna Rivera/Zoe Ebanks 2-0 (21-14, 21-12).
For fifth place, Panama’s Analia Díaz/Krisleen Gonzalez beat Guatemala’s Joselyn F. López/Joselyn A. López 2-0 (21-19, 21-9).
In the men’s competition, Salvadoran twins Christopher and Yoel Guardado maintained their high level, finishing the tournament undefeated by beating Costa Rica’s Edwin Delgado/Juan Delgado 2-0 (21-11, 21-14) in the final.
The Guardado twins showed great rhythm and preparation, progressing from a ninth-place finish in 2019 to two silver medals in previous tournaments, and finally claiming the title in 2025.
Meanwhile, Nicaragua’s Cristopher Cascante/Jesy Umaña won the bronze medal by defeating Panama’s José Ureña/Víctor Pérez 2-0 (21-16, 21-13).
For fifth place, Guatemala’s Daniel Delgado/Javier Lucero defeated Honduras’ Javier Mongue/Miguel Marín 2-0 (21-14, 21-16).
MANAGUA, Nicaragua, April 27, 2025.- Yuliana Chavez/Elia Resau from Nicaragua and Julián Araya/Stanley Grant from Costa Rica captured the titles at the XV Central American U21 Beach Volleyball Championship.
Yuliana and Elia clinched the crown by defeating Costa Rica’s Mariana Fallas/Sofia Vega 2-0 (21-13, 21-17).
The Nicaraguan duo finished second in the round-robin phase, while Fallas/Vega went undefeated in the preliminary round. However, in the final, Chavez/Resau took control from the start with strong serving and solid defense. They managed to maintain a slight edge in the second set to secure the championship.
Meanwhile, Keisy Janeth/Dayanaris Ríos from Panama earned the bronze medal by winning a hard-fought 2-1 (21-17, 15-21, 15-13) battle against Fátima Rendón/Devora Medina from El Salvador.
Women Podium
For fifth place, Honduras’ Valery Rodríguez/Ruth Villegas defeated Guatemala’s Andrea Grijalva/Danna Aguilar 2-0 (21-8, 21-8).
In the men’s final, Costa Rica’s Julián Araya/Stanley Grant claimed the championship by defeating Panama’s Víctor Aráuz/Adamit del Cid 2-0 (21-15, 21-13).
Araya/Grant remained unbeaten throughout the regular round and maintained their high level in the final, giving the Panamanians little room to maneuver. Panama tried everything, but Costa Rica’s solid defense and precise touches proved too strong.
Nicaragua’s Justin Barrios/Deyner López secured the bronze medal by defeating El Salvador’s Rafael Vargas/Fernando Ortiz 2-0 (21-16, 21-13).
CAGUAS, Puerto Rico, April 27, 2025.- The Criollas de Caguas defeated the defending champions, the Cangrejeras de Santurce, 3-0 (25-22, 25-21, 25-23) in the third match of the KIA Final Series of the Women’s Volleyball Superior League (LVSF).
With a two-set lead, the Criollas opened the third set with a 4-0 run, including two service aces. Two consecutive attacks by Temi Thomas-Ailara, one from zone four to zone four, and another to zone one, gave the Criollas the first technical timeout with an 8-4 lead. They also reached the second technical timeout with the same four-point advantage, 16-12, thanks to an attack error by Helena Grozer of the Cangrejeras.
A kill by Diana Reyes pushed Caguas ahead by five points (18-13), prompting Santurce’s coach Pascual Saurin to call his second timeout of the set.
Temi Thomas Ailara of Caguas
A surge from Santurce closed the gap (19-20) and later (23-24), but their hopes ended there, under the guidance of Spaniard Pascual Saurin and Puerto Rican Javier Gaspar.
Kristin Lux attacked from zone four, breaking through the Cangrejeras’ block to seal the victory and give Caguas a 2-1 lead in the series.
The series will pause until Wednesday, April 30, when the Cangrejeras will host Caguas at the Roberto Clemente Coliseum starting at 8:12 p.m.
Caguas’ offense once again leaned on their three imports, with Kristin Lux leading the way with 14 points, followed by Kath Bell with 12, and Temi Thomas-Ailara with 11.
For the Cangrejeras, Helena Grozer scored 14 points, Kara McGhee contributed 12, and Neira Ortiz added 11.
After the match, Cangrejeras assistant coach Javier Gaspar said:
“It’s sad because we couldn’t get it done. The effort was there; we just didn’t execute. Credit must be given to Caguas; they made the necessary adjustments and were consistent, particularly in K-2, where we were not, and that was the difference in these two games here in Caguas.”
Regarding the return to the Roberto Clemente Coliseum, Gaspar added:
“We’ll meet to work on a few things, prepare for the next match, defend our home court, and even the series.”
Meanwhile, Caguas assistant coach Juan Albarrán commented:
“We have done a good job with our service. I think we have caused some positive things with that skill, and our reception, unlike that first match in Santurce, has remained quite stable, especially Okiana, who has maintained over 70% in reception. So, reception has kept us in it and has allowed us to distribute the offense better. We defended our home court, which was our goal for these two matches.”
CAGUAS, Puerto Rico, April 26, 2025. – The Criollas de Caguas tied the KIA Final Series of the Women’s Superior Volleyball League (LVSF) by defeating the Cangrejeras de Santurce 3-0 (25-22, 25-22, 25-17) at home, the Roger Mendoza Coliseum.
With a two-set lead, the Criollas took the first technical timeout of the third set 8-5 and pulled ahead 13-9 after an attack error by Kara McGhee, prompting Spanish head coach Pascual Saurín to call his first timeout.
The home team maintained a stable passing and took the second technical timeout 16-11 following another attack error by the Cangrejeras.
Kath Bell attacked from the back row to extend the lead, and Diana Reyes served an ace that pushed Caguas ahead 18-12, a gap from which Santurce never recovered.
The Criollas reached set point at 24-16 with an effective attack from Kristin Lux on the outside (zone 4). After one point from Santurce, Lux struck again to seal the victory with another precise attack.
The series will continue Sunday at the same venue, starting at 7:00 p.m.
Caguas celebrated
After the match, Cangrejeras head coach Pascual Saurín said:
“You never expect to lose. I always come to play expecting to win. What I knew was that it would be difficult and tough, this is going to be the final series: two strong teams, two evenly matched teams, and the home-court advantage will likely play a big role. We knew today would have an atmosphere like this. Caguas came out to give it their all, and we weren’t comfortable on the court. We tried, but in the end, it just didn’t happen for us.”
Regarding what the Cangrejeras did successfully in the first match but not in this second one, the Spanish coach added:
“It’s simply about having the right sensations. In the first match, we blocked a lot. Today, our blocking wasn’t effective, mainly because we didn’t serve well. Our serving was very weak, very soft, and they, on the other hand, served very well and felt comfortable. They blocked us quite a bit. Tomorrow is another match. First, we need to recover well, and we’ll surely see a different match than what we saw today.”
Caguas head coach Juan Carlos Núñez commented:
“We didn’t come looking for a 3-0 sweep; we just came to do what we had to do: defend our home court. We needed to improve a lot from the way we played the first day because statistically, nothing worked for us. We had to find a way to serve better, be more effective at the net, and offensively match up with them. Things worked out for us today. We matched their energy through our defense, and it turned out pretty well.”
As for the plans for tomorrow’s match, Núñez concluded:
“The series is now tied. We’re heading into a third match, and we’ll keep doing what we have to do: defend our home court.”
The Criollas’ offense was well distributed among their three foreign players. Kath Bell led the team with 17 points (15 kills and 2 blocks), followed by Kristin Lux with 12 points and Temi Thomas-Ailara with 11.
For Santurce, Tamara Otene was the only player in double digits with 13 points (12 kills and 1 block).
Caguas outperformed Santurce in attacks (42-35), blocks (10-7), aces (2-0), and digs (58-57). Santurce led in receptions (48-28) and assists (26-19).
MANAGUA, Nicaragua, April 26, 2025.- Nicaragua and Costa Rica will play for the women’s title at the inaugural U23 Central American Beach Volleyball Championship, while in the men’s division, El Salvador has already secured a spot in the final, and Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama are vying for the other ticket.
Costa Rica’s Laura Molina/Aliza Aguilar completed four victories by defeating El Salvador and Guatemala. Nicaragua’s Nahima Silva/Norma Brenes also reached four wins after defeating Panama and El Salvador.
On Sunday morning, the two teams will face each other to determine the final preliminary round standings, but no other team can catch up to their 4-0 records.
Honduras’ Shanna Rivera/Zoe Ebanks will face El Salvador’s Karla Tovar/Daniela Vigil, while Guatemala’s Joselyn F. López/Joselyn A. López will play against Panama’s Analia Díaz/Krisleen Gonzalez to complete the preliminary round schedule.
Christopher Guardado ESA
The matches for the final positions will start at two o’clock in the afternoon.
In the men’s division, El Salvador’s twins Cristopher and Yoel Guardado have a 4-0 record after defeating Panama and Costa Rica, securing their place in the final. Nicaragua’s Cristopher Cascante/Jesy Umaña defeated Costa Rica’s Edwin and Juan Delgado as well as Guatemala’s Daniel Delgado/Javier Lucero, finishing with a 3-1 record.
Nicaragua will face El Salvador on Sunday, while Costa Rica and Panama’s José Ureña/Víctor Pérez will play a decisive match, both teams currently holding a 2-2 record. The winner will earn the second spot in the final.
Honduras’ Javier Mongue/Miguel Marín will face Guatemala’s Delgado/Lucero duo in the final match of the round-robin phase.
Day 2 Results
Women
Molina/Aguilar CRC 2-1 (19-21, 21-18, 15-11) Tovar/Vigil ESA
Rivera/Ebanks HON 2-0 (23-21, 21-14) López/López GUA
Diaz/González PAN 0-2 (13-21, 13-21) Silva/Brenes NCA
MANAGUA, Nicaragua, April 26, 2025.- Costa Rica secured its place in both the women’s and men’s finals at the 15th Under 21 Central American Beach Volleyball Championship, awaiting their opponents as the round-robin phase still needs to be completed.
In the women’s competition, María Fallas/Sofia Vega defeated Nicaragua and El Salvador, reaching four victories with no losses. In second place are Panama’s Keisy Janeth/Dayanaris Ríos with a 3-1 record, after defeating Fátima Rendón/Devora Medina of El Salvador and Valery Rodríguez/Ruth Villegas of Honduras.
The Salvadoran duo holds a 2-2 record, the same as Nicaragua’s Yuliana Chavez/Elia Resau, who fell to Costa Rica but defeated Guatemala’s Andrea Grijalva/Danna Aguilar.
Sofia Vega CRC
On Sunday, Fallas/Vega (CRC) will face Grijalva/Aguilar (GUA), while Chavez/Resau (NCA) will play against Janeth/Ríos (PAN). Rendón/Medina (ESA) will meet Rodríguez/Villegas (HON), with only one available spot remaining for three teams.
In the men’s division, Costa Rica’s Julián Araya/Stanley Grant have a perfect 4-0 record. Panama’s Victor Araúz/Adamit Del Cid follow at 3-1; Nicaragua’s Justin Barrios/Deyner López and El Salvador’s Rafael Vargas/Fernando Ortiz both sit at 2-2.
Honduras’ Jairo Gálvez/Isaac Méndez have a 1-3 record, while Guatemala’s Fredy Luna/Robin Oliva remain winless in four matches.
Araya/Grant defeated Luna/Oliva and later overcame Barrios/López of Nicaragua. Araúz/Cid claimed a 2-1 victory over Barrios/López and then defeated Gálvez/Méndez.
On Sunday, Araya/Grant (CRC) will face El Salvador’s Vargas/Ortiz. Luna/Oliva (GUA) will play Araúz/Cid (PAN), and the preliminary round will conclude with Barrios/López (NCA) facing Gálvez/Méndez (HON). These matches will determine who earns the other spot in the final against Costa Rica.
MANAGUA, Nicaragua, April 25, 2025.- Teams from Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and El Salvador each secured two victories on the opening day of the first U23 Central American Beach Volleyball Championship.
Nicaragua’s Nahima Silva and Norma Brenes earned a 2-0 (21-7, 21-15) win over Honduras’ Shanna Rivera and Zoe Ebanks, then followed up with another 2-0 victory (21-13, 21-15) against Guatemala’s Joselyn F. López and Joselyn A. López.
Costa Rica’s Laura Molina and Aliza Aguilar started strong with a 2-0 (21-12, 21-14) win over Panama’s Analia Díaz and Krisleen González, then finished the day with another 2-0 result (21-13, 21-10) against Rivera/Ebanks.
El Salvador’s Karla Tovar and Daniela Vigil did their part, also collecting two wins. They first defeated López/López 2-0 (21-13, 21-12), then topped Díaz/González 2-0 (21-14, 21-12).
In the men’s division, Costa Rica’s Edwin and Juan Delgado began with a dominant 2-0 victory (21-12, 21-8) over Guatemala’s Daniel Delgado and Javier Lucero, then completed the day undefeated by beating Panama’s José Ureña and Víctor Pérez 2-0 (21-17, 21-18).
Ureña and Pérez had previously defeated Nicaragua’s Cristopher Cascante and Jesy Umaña 2-0 (21-12, 22-20).
El Salvador’s Guardado twins, Cristopher and Yoel, won 2-0 (21-13, 21-12) over Honduras’ Javier Mongue and Miguel Marín, and later triumphed 2-0 (21-11, 21-18) against Delgado/Lucero of Guatemala.
MANAGUA, Nicaragua, April 25, 2025.- Costa Rica’s Mariana Fallas and Sofía Vega got off to a strong start at the 15th Central American U21 Women’s Beach Volleyball Championship, winning both of their matches on opening day at Paseo Xolotlán in Managua.
Fallas/Vega opened with a 2-0 (21-10, 21-11) victory over Honduras’ Valery Rodríguez and Ruth Villegas. In the afternoon, the Costa Rican duo defeated Panama’s Keisy Janeth and Dayanaris Ríos 2-0 (21-10, 21-14).
Another team that started strong was El Salvador’s Fátima Rendón and Devora Molina, who earned a hard-fought and important three-set win (21-17, 17-21, 16-14) against local favorites Yuliana Chávez and Elia Resau.
Panama’s Janeth/Ríos duo claimed a 2-0 (21-10, 21-19) victory over Andrea Grijalva and Danna Aguilar of Guatemala, while Chávez/Resau bounced back with a 2-0 (21-9, 21-10) win against Rodríguez/Villegas of Honduras.
In the men’s division, Costa Rica’s Julián Araya and Stanley Grant recorded two wins; first a dominant 2-0 (21-11, 21-5) result against Honduras’ Jairo Gálvez and Isaac Méndez, followed by another 2-0 (21-12, 21-11) victory over Panama’s Víctor Aráuz and Adamit Del Cid.
Another pair with two wins was Nicaragua’s Justin Barrios and Deyner López, who defeated Guatemala’s Fredy Luna and Robin Oliva 2-0 (21-10, 21-17), then closed the day with a 2-0 (21-15, 21-19) win over Rafael Vargas and Fernando Ortiz of El Salvador.
This Saturday, all duos will play two more matches, setting up a potentially decisive match on Sunday morning that could determine who advances to the final, as the top two teams will play for the championship.
Women’s Results Day 1
Fallas/Vega CRC 2-0 (21-10, 21-11) Rodríguez/Villegas HON
Grijalva/Aguilar GUA 0-2 (10-21, 19-21) Janeth/Ríos PAN
Rendón/Medina ESA 2-1 (21-17, 17-21, 16-14) Chavez/Resau NCA
Fallas/Vega CRC 2-0 (21-10, 21-14) Janeth/Ríos PAN
Grijalva/Aguilar GUA 0-2 (12-21, 6-21) Rendón/Medina ESA
Rodríguez/Villegas HON 0-2 (9-21, 10-21) Chavez/Resau NCA
Men’s Results Day 1
Araya/Grant CRC 2-0 (21-11, 21-5) Galvez/Mendez HON
MANAGUA, Nicaragua, April 24, 2025.– A key link between the youth and senior categories is what the inaugural AFECAVOL U23 Central American Beach Volleyball Championship represents, which began this Thursday with preliminary inquiries.
This will be the first time the Under 23 category is contested, unlike the U21 division which began in 2008. The tournament will serve as a platform for athletes aiming to make the leap to the senior level in both Central American and NORCECA events.
Duos from Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras, and Panama are set to compete for the first-ever title in this category. Many of the players have progressed through the underage divisions and bring valuable experience to the tournament.
Notable male competitors include El Salvador’s twin brothers Yoel and Cristopher Guardado, silver medalists at the last U21 tournament in Panama; Nicaragua’s Cristopher Cascante and Jesy Umaña; and Guatemala’s Daniel Delgado and Javier Lucero.
On the women’s side, Costa Rica’s Laura Molina and Aliza Aguilar, bronze medalists at the last U21 event, are strong contenders. Also competing are Karla Tovar and Daniela Vigil from El Salvador, and local players Nahima Silva and Norma Brenes.
After the round-robin preliminary phase, the top two teams will face off in the final, while the third and fourth place teams will compete for the bronze medal.
Matches will be held at the Paseo Xolotlán courts in Managua, a venue that has hosted several major events such as the 2017 Central American Games and multiple stages of the NORCECA Tour, starting Friday at 8:30 AM.
Participating Duos
Women Laura Molina / Aliza Aguilar (CRC) Joselyn F. López / Joselyn A. López (GUA) Shanna Rivera / Zoe Ebanks (HON) Nahima Silva / Norma Brenes (NCA) Analia Díaz / Krisleen González (PAN) Karla Tovar / Daniela Vigil (ESA)
Men Edwin Delgado / Juan Delgado (CRC) Daniel Delgado / Javier Lucero (GUA) Javier Mongue / Miguel Marín (HON) Cristopher Cascante / Jesy Umaña (NCA) José Ureña / Víctor Pérez (PAN) Yoel Guardado / Cristopher Guardado (ESA)
MANAGUA, Nicaragua, April 24, 2025.- The XV AFECAVOL U21 Central American Beach Volleyball Championship is set to begin this Friday, following the conclusion of team registration and uniform presentations.
Six Central American countries have confirmed their participation, each with one pair per gender, competing for the regional title in a tournament that began in 2008.
Costa Rica is the defending women’s champion, though Guatemala holds the most titles overall with eight. Costa Rica has been crowned champion three times, Nicaragua twice, and El Salvador once.
In the men’s division, Nicaragua has claimed the top spot on the podium seven times, followed by Guatemala with four and Costa Rica with three, including the most recent edition held in Panama in 2022.
Costa Rica will be represented by María Fallas and Sofía Vega, the latter a bronze medalist three years ago, who will face tough competition from experienced players such as Fátima Rendón and Devora Medina of El Salvador, as well as home favorites Yuliana Chávez and Elia Resau.
In the men’s bracket, Costa Rica features Julián Araya, champion in the previous edition in Panama, this time partnered with Stanley Grant. Their rivals include Rafael Vargas and Fernando Ortiz from El Salvador, local duo Justin Barrios and Deyner López, and a promising Panamanian pair in Víctor Aráuz and Adamit Del Cid.
Matches will take place at the Paseo Xolotlán courts in Managua, starting Friday at 8:30 AM and concluding on Sunday.
The tournament will follow a round-robin format in the first phase, with the top two teams advancing to the final, which will be played on Sunday afternoon.
Participating Duos
Women Mariana Fallas / Sofía Vega (CRC) Fátima Rendón / Devora Medina (ESA) Andrea Grijalva / Danna Aguilar (GUA) Valery Rodríguez / Ruth Villegas (HON) Yuliana Chávez / Ella Resau (NCA) Keisy Janeth / Dayanaris Ríos (PAN)
Men Julián Araya / Stanley Grant (CRC) Rafael Vargas / Fernando Ortiz (ESA) Fredy Luna / Robin Oliva (GUA) Jairo Gálvez / Isaac Méndez (HON) Justin Barrios / Deyner López (NCA) Víctor Aráuz / Adamit Del Cid (PAN)
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, April 24, 2025.- The defending champions, Cangrejeras de Santurce, capitalized on their home-court advantage at the Roberto Clemente Coliseum to take the opening match of the KIA Final Series of the Women’s Volleyball Superior League (LVSF), edging out the Criollas de Caguas in an exciting five-set battle (23-25, 25-13, 25-20, 24-26, 15-7).
Holding a 2-1 set lead, the home team took the first technical timeout of the fourth set 8-4 after a block by Kara McGhee on Alba Hernández. Caguas responded with a 12-7 run and clinched the second technical timeout by a narrow margin following a service error from Santurce.
Both teams continued in a fierce back-and-forth, testing each other’s serve reception. A deflected attack by Temi Thomas Ailara gave Santurce a two-point edge at 21-19. However, the Criollas regrouped, tied the set at 22 after an attack error by Andrea Rangel, and snatched the set 26-24 thanks to an ace by Thomas and a clean finish from Kath Bell.
Andrea Rangel of Cangrejeras
In the fifth and deciding set, Santurce jumped ahead 6-3 and reached the side switch with an 8-4 lead, boosted by a service ace from Tamara Otene. Caguas was unable to recover.
Following the win, Cangrejeras captain Débora Seilhamer stated:
“We knew it was going to be an extremely tough game. We were prepared to go to the full five sets. Obviously, it’s going to be a hard-fought series from start to finish.”
The series now moves to Caguas at the Roger Mendoza court for back-to-back matches on Saturday and Sunday. About this, the veteran Seilhamer added:
“We need to prepare physically for that. Caguas has a deep bench, so they can rotate players more. We need to manage ourselves better, take care of our bodies, and try to steal one or two games in Caguas.”
Criollas captain Raymarielys Santos commented:
“We must keep working. Every night there will be a battle, so we must continue improving in every area. I believe the next practice will be very important. We need to keep studying Santurce and improve our serving. It’s going to be a long series, and we have to keep going.”
On offense for Santurce, standouts included Tamara Otene with 27 points, Helena Grozer with 20, Andrea Rangel with 18, and Kara McGhee with 15.
For Caguas, Temi Thomas Ailara led with 21 points, followed by Kristin Lux with 12 and Kath Bell with 11.
Santurce dominated the stats: 64-51 in attacks, 17-13 in blocks, 9-3 in service aces, 119-110 in digs, 48-40 in receptions, and 41-25 in assists.
The series is a best-of-seven; the first team to win four games will be crowned champion.
VARADERO, Cuba, April 25, 2025.- The highly anticipated 2025 season of the NORCECA Beach Volleyball Continental Tour kicks off in the paradise destination of Varadero, Cuba, marking the beginning of a circuit that promises excitement, a high level of competition, and valuable points toward the NORCECA and FIVB rankings.
This year, the prestigious NORCECA Tour calendar includes 13 stops, reinforcing its importance in the development of beach volleyball across North, Central America, and the Caribbean. Varadero, a traditional tour stop since 2011, will play an even more prominent role in 2025 by hosting two stages: the tour’s opening event and the grand finale, scheduled for October.
Jorge Luis Alayo Cuba
The tour’s first stop features athletes from fourteen countries, with 18 men’s teams and 15 women’s teams registered.
The 2025 NORCECA Tour awards important points for both the continental and world rankings. Additionally, it marks the beginning of the qualification process for the 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games in Santo Domingo, adding an extra level of motivation for the participating teams.
Specifically, regarding the 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games, Colombia and Venezuela must secure their qualification through the NORCECA Tour, which means both countries will be competing in several stops of the circuit.
As part of its commitment to developing young talent, the season will also feature two U23 events, which will serve as preparation tournaments for the Junior Pan American Games in Asunción.
With this Beach Continental Tour, NORCECA reaffirms its mission to promote sporting excellence, provide competitive growth opportunities for regional athletes, and bring the excitement of beach volleyball to beautiful and iconic venues like Varadero.
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, April 24, 2025.- In an unprecedented step for the development of volleyball in the region, the NORCECA Confederation held the first official meeting of its Athletes’ Commission, reaffirming its commitment to the well-being, development, and participation of athletes both on and off the court.
The session, held virtually, followed the format adopted by other NORCECA working commissions and marked a significant step toward integrating athletes’ voices into strategic decision-making processes.
In his opening remarks, NORCECA President Cristóbal Marte Hoffiz emphasized that this commission was created with athletes in mind. “We are very excited to have you on board. This is the first meeting in the history of the Athletes’ Commission, which creation represents a major step forward in NORCECA’s development. The main goal is to preserve the well-being of athletes, because without them, we wouldn’t be here.”
Cuban volleyball legend and Commission President Mireya Luis gave a moving address, highlighting the importance of this new body. “This is a very important commission. NORCECA deserves for us, as athletes, to get involved. We are at a high level and must take on a major role by providing support to both active and retired athletes.”
The commission will focus on specific objectives: ensuring the overall well-being of athletes, supporting their transition to professional life after their sporting careers, protecting their rights, strengthening ties with their communities, and promoting ongoing training and education.
During the session, innovative proposals were discussed, such as a mentoring program to guide athletes seeking to enter professional sports, and training initiatives for female coaches, following the FIVB’s decision requiring that each women’s team competing in official tournaments include at least one woman on its staff.
Félix Sabio, President of AFECAVOL, highlighted that the Central American association was the first in the region to establish an athletes’ commission. “During the pandemic, there was a need to listen to and involve athletes in the process of returning to sports activity. This approach is aligned with the IOC’s strategy and should be embraced by national federations. NORCECA is at the forefront and must build a strong commission with renowned and visionary athletes.”
Mushtaque Mohammed, NORCECA Vice President and President of the Development Commissions of both NORCECA and the FIVB, presented a historical overview of NORCECA. He also emphasized the importance of preparing athletes for retirement and praised NORCECA’s credibility in development matters, highlighting the Development Center in Santo Domingo as one of the most recognized in the world.
Dr. Víctor Figueroa, President of the Medical Commission, briefly outlined the courses available to athletes on topics such as anti-doping, and physical and mental health.
Professor Nelson Ramírez, Director of the NORCECA-FIVB Regional Volleyball Development Center in Santo Domingo, emphasized the center’s role in training coaches, referees, and technical personnel, as well as motivating athletes to remain involved in the sport through courses and seminars.
Key areas from the FIVB Strategic Vision 2024–2032 were also outlined, focusing on the global growth of volleyball and ensuring that athletes are supported and empowered. Among them was the Volleyball Foundation, presented by Mireya Luis.
At the conclusion of the session, Cristóbal Marte expressed his satisfaction with the success of this inaugural meeting, marking the beginning of a new chapter in NORCECA volleyball, where athletes will play leading roles not only in competition but also in the sport’s governance and evolution.
With her trademark passion, Mireya Luis closed the session with the inspiring phrase: “Athletes to the Top of the Podium.”
CUL DE SAC, Saint Lucia, April 21, 2025. – From May 2nd to 4th, 2025, Saint Lucia will host some of the Caribbean’s most talented senior beach volleyball athletes as the island welcomes the Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) Senior Beach Volleyball Championship.
Senior male and female teams from Saint Lucia, Grenada, Dominica, Antigua, Bermuda, St. Vincent, Anguilla, and St. Kitts will compete for top honours and the coveted ECVA Championship title.
As an officially calendarized NORCECA event, this championship offers athletes from eight ECVA member islands a platform to compete at the highest regional level, supporting athletic excellence and personal development.
All eyes will be on Saint Lucia’s Joseph Clercent and Sheldon Descartes, the reigning champions who have captured the title in 2023 and 2024. The local favourites want to make history with a three-peat on home sand and will be the team to beat.
ECVA is confident that the tournament will be a celebration of skill, passion, and sportsmanship, uniting experienced players and emerging talent in an exciting beach volleyball showcase.
The event is made possible through the generous support of its sponsors, including NORCECA, ECVA, the Ministry of Youth Development & Sports, the Saint Lucia Olympic Committee, the National Lotteries Authority, Buckeye and Co Williams. Their partnership is vital to the success of what promises to be a high-energy and unforgettable competition.
MANAGUA, Nicaragua, April 21, 2025. – Managua is getting ready to host the 15th Central American Under 21 Championship and the inaugural edition of the Central American Under 23 Beach Volleyball Championships organized by AFECAVOL, from April 24 to 28.
Both events will be held simultaneously at the sand court located in the iconic Paseo Xolotlán in Managua, Nicaragua.
The previous edition of the U21 Central American Championship took place in 2022 in Panama, where Costa Rican teams dominated the event. Angel Williams/Kianny Araya and Julian Araya/Jhostin Varela were crowned champions in the women’s and men’s divisions, respectively.
As for the U23 category, during the recent AFECAVOL Assembly, the decision was made to launch the first edition of this event, aiming to develop all beach volleyball age-group categories in Central America. The U23 category has been part of the NORCECA competition system since 2021, serving as a qualifier for the Junior Pan American Games.
Delegations from the participating countries are scheduled to arrive in Managua on April 24, when the preliminary meeting and official team registration will take place. Competition days will run from April 25 to 27.
April 21, 2025.- The North, Central America and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation (NORCECA) expresses its profound sorrow following the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis, a spiritual leader whose humility, compassion, and unwavering commitment to peace and unity touched millions around the world.
Cristóbal Marte Hoffiz, President of NORCECA, extended his heartfelt condolences to the global Catholic community and to all those mourning the loss of a man who dedicated his life to service and dialogue.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis,” said Marte Hoffiz. “His moral leadership, tireless advocacy for the poor and marginalized, and his message of love and unity have left an indelible mark on humanity. On behalf of the NORCECA Volleyball Confederation, we send our thoughts and prayers to the Vatican and to all members of the Catholic Church around the world.”
Pope Francis, the first Latin American and Jesuit Pope, was a symbol of hope for many across the globe, transcending religious and cultural boundaries with his simple yet powerful message of fraternity and inclusion. His papacy reminded the world of the importance of humility, social justice, and human dignity.
A strong advocate for the unifying power of sport, Pope Francis recognized athletics as a path to building community and promoting values such as respect, teamwork, and perseverance. In 2016, under his leadership, the Vatican co-organized the “Faith and Sport” conference with the United Nations and the International Olympic Committee (IOC). In 2022, he initiated and presided over the “Sport for All” conference, reaffirming his belief in sport as a tool for inclusion and peace. These events demonstrated his commitment to ensuring that sport remains a bridge between people of different cultures, faiths, and backgrounds.
NORCECA joins the international community in honoring the life and legacy of Pope Francis, remembering his enduring contributions to peace, faith, and global solidarity—and his genuine belief in the transformative power of sport.
GUAYNABO, Puerto Rico, April 20, 2025. – In a thrilling battle last Thursday night, the Criollas de Caguas secured their spot in the finals of the 2025 Women’s Volleyball Superior League (LVSF), defeating the Mets de Guaynabo 3-1 (25-19, 20-25, 25-20, 26-24) at the Mario “Quijote” Morales Coliseum.
With this victory, the Criollas broke the home-court trend and sparked an outburst of celebration among their fans. They claimed the semifinal series 4-2.
The Criollas de Caguas will now face the defending champion, the Cangrejeras de Santurce, in the Gran Serie Final KIA.
Caguas outperformed Guaynabo in attacks (56-53), blocks (17-11), and service aces (3-2). The Mets led in digs (62-54), receptions (40-34), and assists (39-14).
Standout offensive contributors for the Criollas included Kath Bell with 20 points (19 kills and 1 block), followed by Temi Thomas Ailara with 16 points and Kristin Lux with 14. Alba Hernández led the net defense with 6 of the team’s 9 blocks.
For the Mets, Chiaka Ogbogu shined with 20 points, and Rebecca Latham added 19.
KIA Finals Series Schedule
The Gran Serie Final KIA will be played as a best-of-seven. The first team to reach four wins will be crowned champion:
Tuesday, April 22: Cangrejeras de Santurce at Criollas de Caguas – 8:00 PM
Thursday, April 24: Criollas de Caguas at Cangrejeras de Santurce – 8:12 PM
Saturday, April 26: Cangrejeras de Santurce at Criollas de Caguas – 8:00 PM
Monday, April 28: Criollas de Caguas at Cangrejeras de Santurce – 8:12 PM
If necessary:
Wednesday, April 30: Cangrejeras de Santurce at Criollas de Caguas – 8:00 PM
Friday, May 2: Criollas de Caguas at Cangrejeras de Santurce – 8:12 PM
Sunday, May 4: Cangrejeras de Santurce at Criollas de Caguas – 7:00 PM (NEUTRAL VENUE)
BRASILIA, Brazil, April 20, 2025.- After taking bronze in Quintana Roo and silver in Saquarema, USA’s Kristen Nuss & Taryn Brasher snatched the gold in Brasilia as the third Elite event of the year on the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour came to a close in the Brazilian capital on Sunday. This way, the American Paris 2024 Olympians topped the podium for the first time since the 2024 Tour Finals in Doha and added the ninth gold and the 15th medal overall to their impressive Beach Pro Tour collection.
Carol Solberg & Rebecca Cavalcanti put up a solid fight in the final but had to settle for silver in front of the Brazilian home crowd. It was already their second medal out of only four Tour appearances together as a team. Three weeks ago, the experienced Brazilians triumphed at the Quintana Roo Elite.
Another Brazilian team, reigning Olympic champions Ana Patricia Ramos & Eduarda Santos Lisboa (Duda), completed the podium with bronze, their first Beach Pro Tour medal in almost a year, or since they conquered the gold at this same venue in May 2024. The former world champions and former number one team in the World Ranking have now piled up a remarkable showcase of eight gold, two silver and five bronze medals on the Tour.
Second-seeded Nuss & Brasher overcome their fifth-seeded opponents’ strong performance and the noise from a fantastic Brazilian home crowd on the stands during Sunday’s gold medal showdown to put together a narrow 2-0 (22-20, 21-19) victory. The Americans were in the lead through most of the first set of the match, but in the money, Carol & Barbara took control and reached the first set point at 19-18. Nuss & Brasher reacted with three points in a row and closed the set with an ace from Nuss. Twice in the second set, the US team opened a wide lead and twice the home favorites closed the gap as it eventually came down to a 19-19 tie. Nuss & Brasher stayed focus and soon closed the set and the match with a powerful spike from Nuss for the winning point.
The better overall performance in offense made the big difference in tilting the balance Nuss & Brasher’s way, with Brasher emerging as the best scorer of the match with 24 points and the best attacker of the match with 20 kills, as well as the best blocker of the match with three stuffs to her name. Carol led the Brazilian pair with 17 points, including two aces and two kill blocks.
“Oh, my goodness! It was so difficult! If we could stop playing them multiple times, that would be great! They are incredible and we knew that in front of this home crowd it would be pretty rowdy and they would bring the passion like they always do. So we just tried to stick with each other and trust ourselves,” Nuss said on the court after the match.
“Kristen came in today and woke me up with a great enthusiastic ‘let’s go get gold today!’ But we had to fight against an amazing Brazilian team – they are both just so incredible – and we had to play in front of Brazilian fans that are just so rowdy, and so fun, and just love the game,” Brasher added.
The bronze medal game earlier on Sunday lasted three sets as Dutch qualifiers Emi van Driel & Wies Bekhuis, seeded 23rd in the 24-team main draw, put up a tough fight and even won the first set against the mighty Olympic champions, before 10th-seeded Ana Patricia & Duda managed to turn the course of the match around and celebrate a 2-1 (19-21, 21-15, 15-12) victory. It was mostly the unforced errors of the Dutch and the better blocking of the Brazilians that prompted the outcome of this match. Ana Patricia raised six kill blocks during the game and topped the charts with a match-high total of 20 points.
April 15, 2025.- The countdown is on, as the venues for volleyball and beach volleyball at the Olympic Games LA28 have now been confirmed.
The City of Long Beach, a 2028 Venue City, will showcase Beach Volleyball at the iconic Alamitos Beach. Volleyball will be held at the Arena in Anaheim, a premier entertainment and sports venue that will undoubtedly provide the perfect Olympic stage for an unforgettable volleyball experience.
This announcement follows the extraordinary success of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 – widely celebrated as the most successful Games ever for volleyball and beach volleyball. From record-breaking viewership, incredible performances on the field of play and iconic backdrops, the sports captured unprecedented global attention.
Building on this momentum, the FIVB is confident that the LA28 Games, set to take place from 14-30 July 2028, will continue to raise the bar for volleyball at the Olympic level, and that these landmark locations will offer a spectacular setting for the world’s best volleyball athletes to compete on sport’s greatest stage.
“We are extremely excited by the confirmation of these venues and the opportunity they represent to showcase our sports at the Olympic Games LA28.” said FIVB Secretary General Hugh McCutcheon. “The Paris 2024 volleyball competitions showed volleyball and beach volleyball at their absolute best, and we are confident LA28 will continue that legacy. The FIVB looks forward to continuing to work closely with the LA28 Organizing Committee, the IOC, and all of our partners in the lead-up to what promises to be an outstanding Games.”
LAUSANNE, Switzerland, April 13, 2025. – Within the framework of the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) Board of Administration meeting, NORCECA President Cristóbal Marte Hoffiz held a friendly meeting with International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach at the Olympic House in Lausanne.
The conversation took place in a warm and cordial atmosphere, reinforcing institutional ties and highlighting a shared commitment to the development of sport globally, particularly in Latin America.
Thomas Bach expressed his admiration for the Dominican Republic women’s volleyball national team program, which he has followed closely after visiting the team on two occasions: during the Lima 2019 Pan American Games and later in Santo Domingo. On both occasions, the IOC President had the opportunity to witness firsthand the structure, vision, and achievements of a program that is now considered a model in the region.
“The Dominican project is a benchmark for sport throughout Latin America. It is a model to follow that shows how a clear vision and sustained investment can generate results with global impact,” Bach stated.
Marte Hoffiz took the opportunity to share the program’s key pillars, achievements, and future projections. The Dominican initiative has become a strategic national investment, yielding success in international competitions while also serving as a solid platform for talent scouting, athlete development, and the professionalization of women’s volleyball.
“This is not just a sports project, it’s a nation-building project that invests in the future of our youth and has positioned the Dominican Republic as a global volleyball power,” said Marte Hoffiz.
Thomas Bach praised the program’s long-term vision and reaffirmed the IOC’s commitment to strengthening sports in Latin America. He acknowledged that initiatives such as the Dominican women’s volleyball program inspire other nations to embrace structured development in their respective disciplines.
This meeting represents international recognition of the Dominican Republic’s women’s volleyball model, an example of how a well-executed national strategy can transcend borders and make a mark on the global sports stage.
The Dominican Republic women’s national volleyball team is currently ranked 11th in the world, consolidating its status as an emerging force in international volleyball.
LAUSANNE, Switzerland, April 14, 2025.- Among the proposals approved were the establishment of World Volleyball Day (7 July), the expansion of the World Ranking, and much more!
The FIVB Board of Administration took several key decisions on various proposals from the Commission and Councils during its meeting, all aligned with the FIVB Strategic Vision 2032’s mission to serve the Global Volleyball Movement.
Volleyball Council – World Ranking expansion
The Board approved a World Ranking proposal aligned with the current international volleyball landscape. The new proposal expands the number of event categories included and aims to foster the expanded participation of national teams. The FIVB’s dynamic World Ranking system provides an accurate assessment of a team’s technical performance, and is a credible tool for tracking a team’s progress and development over time.
Under the new framework, each Continental Confederation may include up to two Annual Continental Events in the World Ranking, while each Zonal Association may include one Annual Zonal Event. To be eligible for World Ranking points, official competitions must feature a minimum of four senior national teams.
Another key change is related to team inactivity. Previously, teams were considered inactive after one year without competition. Following the Board’s approval, this period has now been extended to two years, effective as of 2025.
The Board also approved several competition structure updates in volleyball. Notably, team rosters for Age Group World Championships will expand from 12 to 14 players to align with evolving competition demands. Meanwhile, the structure of U17 events will be brought into line with U19 and U21 tournaments, featuring 24 teams, the same qualification processes, competition formats, and world ranking points allocation.
Following the request of the Volleyball Federation of Serbia, the FIVB U19 Girls’ World Championship will see logistical adjustments, with the addition of an extra day to assist with travel, and a change in host city from Belgrade to Vrnjačka Banja, Serbia.
Heritage and Legacy Commission – World Volleyball Day!
Following the approval of the FIVB Board of Administration, 7 July has officially been established as World Volleyball Day. The date commemorates the first public demonstration of volleyball by William Morgan in 1895, and will annually serve as a global celebration of volleyball.
In line with the FIVB Strategic Vision 2032, in which beach volleyball turnaround is one of 15 priorities, the Board approved a proposal to launch a test in 2025 to allow beach volleyball coaches to coach on the field of play.
Focused on enhancing athlete development and creating richer in-game narratives, the pilot will cover 15 events from 23 July to 5 October 2025, including four Elite, three Challenge and eight Futures events. Should the trial be positive, then phase two of the test will see the initiative extended to all remaining events in 2025 and 2026, including the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships Adelaide 2025.
Medical Commission – 2026 FIVB Medical Congress
The Board also approved the proposal to organise a FIVB Medical Congress in 2026. The Congress will explore medicine, health and fitness within the context of volleyball. Further details will be released in due course.
Rules of the Game & Refereeing Commission – Enhancing clarity and flow
Several changes were approved to streamline the sport and make it more accessible to fans.
In volleyball, to reduce sudden rally interruptions, teams will no longer be able to request a mid-rally Challenge. Instead, teams can request a Challenge at the end of rally to review the referees’ decision regarding any action during the rally, including the service.
In both volleyball and beach volleyball, a new interpretation of the double touch rule was approved for testing. Double contact will be allowed during the setting action, provided the ball remains on the same side of the court, with faults only called for two clear consecutive touches. For balls played into the opponent’s court, as well as catches and lifts, the current interpretation will still apply. In volleyball, this new rule interpretation will be applied during the VNL 2025, then assessed before wider application across events. Meanwhile, in beach volleyball, it will be applied at the Gstaad Elite, Montreal Elite, Brazil Challenge and Baden Challenge, before being applied more widely.
Finally, the Board approved changes to the beach volleyball video challenge regulations to align with a regulation existing in volleyball where the referee’s decision remains final, but the team retains its Challenge in case of inconclusive video evidence.
Coaches Commission – New initiatives
Following the Board’s approval, a test will be conducted at the VNL 2025, age group and senior world championships, to amend out-of-rotation rules for the receiving team. Specifically, it will test the out of rotation error for the receiving team where the referees’ whistle defines the rotation, and the toss of the serve defines the moment that the athlete can change position on the court.
In addition, ongoing efforts will continue to promote female coaches and increase their visibility as role models within the sport. The Board approved a proposal for all female national teams at the VNL 2026 and Age Group World Championships to have at least one female coach registered on the match roster list
Communication Commission – Global Volleyball Movement campaign in 2025.
The Board supported the recommended launch of the Global Volleyball Movement campaign, a major digital initiative designed to expand the sport’s reach and enhance engagement worldwide. The campaign aims to strengthen volleyball’s relevance in society and promote positive change through sport.
Legal Commission – Regulatory updates
Finally, the FIVB Board of Administration approved proposed updates to the Terms of Reference (Article 5.5 of the FIVB General Regulations), reflecting recent changes to the structure and naming of the FIVB Commissions and Councils.
In addition to the Terms of Reference, important amendments to the FIVB Sports Regulations were approved to allow for more flexibility for younger athletes. Among the key regulatory changes were updates to the rules regarding national team representation and Federation of Origin (FoO). A player may now change their Federation of Origin to the Federation of Origin of his/her nationality if their FoO differs from the nationality they held prior to the initial determination of their FoO. This change must be made before either the player is registered on an O-2 form for the national team of their original FoO or before the player reaches the age of 18.
Further updates were made to the special case related to eight-year residency. Specifically, the maximum age at which a player can benefit from this special case has been increased to 38 years old. Players who apply for this special case may also have previously represented a senior national team of their initial Federation of Origin but will not be eligible to represent the national team of their new Federation.
The tracked change version of the updates to the Regulations will be published next week on the FIVB website.
SAQUAREMA, Brazil, April 13, 2025.- Americans Kristen Nuss an Taryn Brasher won the silver medal of the Volleyball World Beach Pro Elite event in Saquarema, Brazil, after falling in Sundays’ final to Brazilians Thamela Coradello and Victoria Lopes 1-2 (19, 21, 21-16, 10-15).
Watch the Beach Pro Tour Saquarema Elite replays onVBTV
By finishing second in Saquarema, Nuss and Brasher made their sixth-straight podium appearance on the Beach Pro Tour – they won three golds, two silvers and one bronze in the period.
The top team in the FIVB World Ranking, Germans Müller and Tillmann won their first medal in the season by taking third in Saquarema. The Europeans had a dominant performance in the bronze medal match, topping Americans Kelly Cheng and Molly Shaw 2-0 (21-16, 21-16).
The Beach Pro Tour will continue in Brazil for another week, with the country’s capital, Brasília, welcoming the third Elite event of the season from April 16-20.
Puerto Rico, April 12, 2025. – The Criollas de Caguas are now just one win away from the Final after defeating the Mets de Guaynabo in Semifinal A, while the Cangrejeras de Santurce swept the Atenienses de Manatí on Saturday in Semifinal B of the Women’s Superior Volleyball League (LVSF) of Puerto Rico.
Home teams continue to dominate in Semifinal Series A of the LVSF. On Saturday night, the Criollas de Caguas moved one step closer to the Final with a straight-sets victory (25-23, 29-27, 25-13) over the Mets de Guaynabo at the Roger Mendoza Coliseum in Caguas.
The Criollas’ offense was led by Diana Reyes and Kristin Lux, who both scored 15 points. They were followed by Sofía Victoria and Stephanie Enright, who each added 11 points.
For Guaynabo, Rebecca Latham led the scoring with 13 points, while Paola Santiago contributed 10.
The series will continue on Wednesday, April 16, at the Mario “Quijote” Morales Coliseum in Guaynabo, starting at 7:00 p.m.
Meanwhile, the Cangrejeras de Santurce swept the Atenienses de Manatí in Semifinal B on Saturday with another dominant 3-0 victory (25-15, 25-17, 25-18) at the Roberto Clemente Coliseum. With this win, the Cangrejeras advance to their third consecutive final.
Santurce faced the Pinkin de Corozal in the 2023 final, where Corozal came out on top. In 2024, Santurce defeated the Atenienses de Manatí, and now they await the winner of Caguas vs. Guaynabo.
The Cangrejeras had three players in double digits: Andrea Rangel (16), Tamara Otene (14), and Kara McGhee (10).
For Manatí, last season’s runners-up, Karla Santos and Jovyrelis Ayala scored 14 and 10 points, respectively.
LAUSANNE, Switzerland, April 13, 2025.- The FIVB Board of Administration concluded an inspiring two days of meetings, marking a historic milestone as the second day’s morning and afternoon sessions were held at the Olympic House and the Olympic Museum, respectively.
Ahead of the second day’s proceedings, FIVB Board of Administration members joined a tour of the Olympic House, deepening their connection to the heart of the Olympic Movement. The day was further elevated by the presence of several notable guests from the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
The FIVB Board of Administration was warmly welcomed by IOC President Thomas Bach, who shared a few words on the FIVB’s development over the years.
“We have built excellent relations [with the FIVB] over all the many years. I would like to repeat in front of all of you, that volleyball is really one of the very few International Federations which has made a real difference in setting a benchmark in the development of their sport in the last couple of years,” said President Bach.
“That means on the field of play you are a much more competitive, with more National Federations having the opportunity to compete, to compete at a higher level, and to be able to achieve diplomas, medals and distinctions to really make a difference. And off the field of play, you have embraced the social responsibility of sport. You understand that in life it’s always about giving and taking, and you cannot always only take.”
IOC President-elect Kirsty Coventry also addressed the FIVB Board of Administration, stating:
“I think it’s very exciting, the future of volleyball around the world. I agree with all the sentiments that you [Fabio Azevedo] just said, spreading the sports, making them more affordable, more accessible to more people. And doing that by inspiring the younger generation to be healthier and more active is a huge priority for all of us. I’m very much looking forward to walking this journey with you.
“I think your Together as One [motto] is very much like my campaign Ubuntu philosophy, that is ‘I am because we are’. It’s very much how my leadership will continue in that style – that we need to work together to strengthen various things.”
Both IOC Director General Christophe De Kepper and Olympic Games Executive Director Christophe Dubi also joined the FIVB Board. In addition, Dubi delivered a presentation on the upcoming Olympic events – Dakar 2026, Los Angeles 2028, and Brisbane 2032.
Discussing what a sports movement means, Dubi stated: “This narrative of the power of inspiration starts at grassroots. And I think to grow a movement, it starts at grassroots…. bringing together the younger generations who are inspired… because of the display of humanity that we show in sport is incredibly powerful. [Olympic Games and World Championships] are platforms we need to use because this is where we reach the audience, this is where we build a spark. But it’s any actions outside that really matter. So, this is where actions like solidarity, actions like anything you do with your National Federations down to clubs, including the education of coaches and entourage of the teams and the athletes. This is where we make a difference. For me, this all translates into, we have a spark at the time of our events, but how do we translate it to grassroots.”
James Macleod, IOC Director of NOC Relations, Olympic Solidarity, and Olympism365, provided a comprehensive report, highlighting the successful collaboration with the FIVB.
Regarding Olympic Solidarity, Macleod commented: “It is really what we would call from the IOC side and the Olympic Movement, the development engine that we have at everyone’s disposal. And that is where our collaboration with you and your development department has been really successful. And it’s because of that collaboration that we’re able to develop volleyball across the world as much as we can.”
In addition, ASOIF Executive Director James Carr presented on the ASOIF Good Governance Report. Overall, since the initial ASOIF review in 2016-2017, the FIVB has climbed 95 points, reflecting its unwavering commitment to implementing the highest standards of good governance.
The FIVB Board also heard key updates across various Commissions, including Volleyball Empowerment, Development & Sustainability and Legal. Presentations from Volleyball World and the Volleyball Foundation, meanwhile, highlighted volleyball’s commercial growth and growing societal impact.
To conclude the meeting, the Board members received updates on an exciting calendar of volleyball and beach volleyball events, with 2025 and beyond promising an action-packed schedule. Major highlights include the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships Adelaide 2025, the VNL 2025, and the FIVB Volleyball Men’s and Women’s World Championships, set to be staged in the Philippines and Thailand, respectively.
LAUSANNE, Switzerland, April 12, 2025.- Volleyball-loving nation of Dominican Republic set to welcome the Global Volleyball Movement next year.
The FIVB Board of Administration unanimously approved Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, as the host of the 40th FIVB World Congress 2026.
The proposal to bring the Congress to Punta Cana was presented by NORCECA President and FIVB 1st Executive Vice-President Cristóbal Marte Hoffiz. The proposal highlighted the country’s vibrant sporting culture, its strong connection to the volleyball community and its reputation for delivering world-class events. Punta Cana will also host the IOC Session in 2027.
The FIVB will work hand-in-hand with the Dominican Republic Volleyball Federation to ensure an unforgettable and productive Congress in 2026.
LAUSANNE, Switzerland, April 11, 2025. – Members of the Executive Committee of the North, Central America and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation NORCECA actively participated in the Board of Administration meeting of the International Volleyball Federation FIVB, held in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Led by President Cristóbal Marte Hoffiz, the NORCECA delegation also included Second Executive Vice President Sabinah Clement, along with Executive Vice Presidents Mireya Luis, Mark Eckert, Félix Sabio González, and Mushtaque Mohammed.
As part of the working sessions, the NORCECA officials visited the Olympic House and the Olympic Museum, two iconic spaces that embody the legacy and values of the Olympic Movement. During this meaningful visit, they had the opportunity to engage in a warm and friendly conversation with outgoing International Olympic Committee IOC President Thomas Bach.
The meeting with President Bach took place in a cordial atmosphere marked by mutual recognition. NORCECA representatives expressed their appreciation for his valuable contribution to the global development of volleyball and highlighted the bonds of friendship and cooperation he has nurtured with the volleyball community throughout his tenure.
NORCECA’s active participation in such international platforms reaffirms its commitment to the growth of volleyball and its continued integration within the global Olympic framework.
LAUSANNE, Switzerland, April 11, 2025.– As part of the Board of Administration meeting of the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB), members of the Executive and the Board gathered at the Olympic House and the Olympic Museum for a day filled with inspiration, reflection, and discussions on the future of global volleyball.
One of the highlights of the event was the meeting with Thomas Bach, outgoing President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), who shared moments with the FIVB leadership in a warm and mutually respectful atmosphere.
During the encounter, Mireya Luis, Executive Vice President of both the FIVB and NORCECA, expressed her heartfelt joy at reuniting with the Olympic leader. She fondly recalled her time on the IOC Athletes’ Commission, a period during which Bach played a key supportive role. “Our conversation was emotional and heartfelt. We reminisced about my time on the IOC Athletes’ Commission, a chapter during which President Bach was a tremendous support to me. Today, I had the chance to personally thank him for that invaluable guidance.”
They also exchanged thoughts on Bach’s future after completing his term at the helm of the IOC, reflecting on the challenges and opportunities that await him beyond the Olympic institution that has deeply marked their lives.
The meeting concluded with a spontaneous and symbolic gesture: a selfie that Mireya Luis described as “a cherished keepsake” from a day that reaffirms the enduring ties between volleyball and the Olympic movement.
LAUSANNE, Switzerland, April 11, 2025.- The FIVB Board of Administration gathered yesterday for the first day of its meeting at the Volleyball House in Lausanne, Switzerland, with serving the Global Volleyball Movement through the FIVB Strategic Vision 2032 at the heart of discussions.
Ahead of the meeting, the Board of Administration joined a tour of the Volleyball House, which has recently undergone several upgrades focused on creating a more team-oriented environment, featuring collaborative workspaces.
The meeting opened with a special address from Sébastien Griesmar, Director of the Lausanne Olympic Capital Foundation, who welcomed Board Members and highlighted the strong bond between the city of Lausanne, the FIVB and Global Volleyball Movement.
Griesmar stated: “On behalf of the City of Lausanne and Canton de Vaud, allow me to welcome you all. The City of Lausanne serves as the home of nearly 60 International Federations and of course, of the FIVB since 1984, followed by Volleyball World and then the Volleyball Foundation. We are grateful for your continued trust and presence here.
“We are committed to making this ecosystem even more visible in the future. A few weeks ago, we had exciting discussions with the FIVB team. We are impressed with what the FIVB has done, and we are excited for what is to come.”
FIVB President Fabio Azevedo also took a moment to congratulate several members of the Global Volleyball Movement on their recent achievements and milestones, celebrating their contributions both within and beyond the world of volleyball.
A key highlight of the day was an update on the FIVB Strategic Vision 2032. President Fabio Azevedo outlined the progress made toward the Vision’s core pillars – professionalism, integration, empowerment and mass participation – and reaffirmed the FIVB’s unwavering commitment to growing volleyball at all levels.
“Together as One is more than just a motto – it is a way of life and a true commitment. We want to share this message with everyone around the world,” said President Fabio Azevedo. “Through the FIVB Strategic Vision 2032, we are moving from an international governing body to a Global Volleyball Movement. We want to make volleyball more relevant in society. And we want to make the world better through our sport.”
During the meeting, the appointment of Isha Ambani and Louise Bawden to the FIVB Board of Administration for the 2024-2028 Olympic cycle was announced. Meanwhile, the Board approved the recognition of two new Volleyball Associations – the Arab Volleyball Association and Association of Portuguese-Speaking National Volleyball Federations (AFVCPLP).
The Board were also presented reports and innovative proposals from the various FIVB Commissions and Councils. In addition, members were presented the Financial Report 2024 and Budget 2025.
The Board of Administration meeting continues on 11 April, with members heading to the Olympic House and Olympic Museum for a day of inspiration and further discussions.
Puerto Rico, April 10, 2025. – While the Mets were evening up Semifinal A with two wins apiece against the Criollas de Caguas at the Mario “Quijote” Morales Coliseum in Guaynabo, the defending champions, the Cangrejeras de Santurce, captured their ninth consecutive set in Semifinal B against the Atenienses at the Juan Aubín Cruz Coliseum in Manatí.
The Mets defeated the Criollas 3-1 (20-25, 25-17, 25-22, 25-15).
The series now moves to the Roger Mendoza Coliseum in Caguas this Saturday, April 12, for Game 5, in a matchup that has so far favored the home teams.
Guaynabo outperformed Caguas in attacks (53-51), aces (10-2), and digs (87-77). Both teams finished with 11 successful blocks, while Caguas led in receptions (40-28) and assists (24-20).
Guaynabo’s offense featured three players in double figures: Rebecca Latham (28 points), Paola Santiago (17), and Valeria Flores (16). For Caguas, Kristin Lux tallied 15 points, followed by Sofía Victoria with 13, and Diana Reyes and Alba Hernández with 12 each.
In Game 3 of the other semifinal series, the Cangrejeras de Santurce moved within one win of advancing to the LVSF Final after sweeping the Atenienses de Manatí 3-0 (25-17, 29-27, 25-18).
Manatí has yet to win a single set in the series. Santurce will look to complete the sweep at home this Saturday.
On offense, Santurce was led by Tamara Otene and Helena Grozer with 14 points each, along with Andrea Rangel who contributed 10 points. For Manatí, Karla Santos scored 12.
The semifinals are best-of-seven series, with the first team to win four games advancing.
LAUSANNE, Switzerland, April 10, 2025.- The FIVB Executive Committee convened today at Volleyball House in Lausanne, Switzerland, to address key matters and proposals aimed at strengthening and empowering the Global Volleyball Movement.
Reflecting the FIVB Strategic Vision 2032 – built on the pillars of empowerment, professionalism, integration, and mass participation – the meeting placed a strong emphasis on reviewing proposals from the FIVB Commissions and Councils.
The Executive Committee also enjoyed a tour of the Volleyball House, which has recently undergone several upgrades. The redesign focused on creating a more team-oriented environment, featuring joint workspaces to foster greater communication, collaboration and efficiency.
In line with the FIVB’s commitment to sustainability, several green initiatives have also been introduced, including the elimination of single-use plastics and the promotion of environmentally responsible practices throughout the Volleyball House.
During the meeting, the Executive Committee also reviewed the agenda for the upcoming Board of Administration meeting and considered a range of proposals from the FIVB Commissions and Councils, which will be submitted to the Board.
Other key topics discussed included Changes of Federation of Origin and various administrative matters.
The FIVB Board of Administration meeting also gets underway today and will continue tomorrow on 11 April 2025.
LAUSANNE, Switzerland, April 9, 2025.- In a key moment for the development of volleyball, the FIVB today welcomed a delegation from USA Volleyball for a high-level strategic meeting at Volleyball House in Lausanne, Switzerland. The discussions focused on strengthening the sport’s presence across America as the world looks to the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028.
The USA, a recognised powerhouse in volleyball, continues to demonstrate its talent on the world stage – most recently securing silver in the women’s competition and bronze in the men’s competition at Paris 2024.
The FIVB delegation was led by President Fabio Azevedo, who emphasised the importance of global collaboration through the FIVB Strategic Vision 2032, which is built around the core message: Together as One. The meeting highlighted current and future opportunities to elevate both indoor and beach volleyball and expand digital engagement.
Another key focus of the discussions was the upcoming Volleyball Nations League (VNL) 2025, which will feature two stops in the USA: Arlington, Texas and Chicago, Illinois. These host cities will play a significant role in welcoming the world’s top teams, in what will be one of the first major volleyball competitions since Paris 2024.
USA Volleyball had the opportunity to take part in a full-day programme featuring a variety of focused sessions with department heads across the FIVB and Volleyball World. These sessions covered key areas such as legal topics, event strategies for volleyball and beach volleyball, commercial developments and innovations in digital engagement and marketing.
The USA Volleyball delegation was comprised of CEO John Speraw, Marketing Advisor Craig Thompson, and General Counsel Rachel Stafford. Present at all meetings was FIVB Secretary General Hugh McCutcheon, a former USA volleyball coach who led the USA men’s team to Olympic gold in 2008 and the women’s team to silver in 2012.
This meeting demonstrates the FIVB’s roadmap to elevate volleyball’s global impact over the next eight years. Through the principles of professionalism, integration, empowerment and mass participation, the FIVB is aiming to make volleyball even more accessible and impactful, bringing people together, inspiring positive societal change and ensuring a brighter future for the sport.
Puerto Rico, April 8, 2025.– In the semifinals of the Women’s Superior Volleyball League (LVSF) of Puerto Rico, the Criollas de Caguas successfully defended their home court at the Roger Mendoza Coliseum against the Mets de Guaynabo to regain the lead (2-1) in Series A, while the Cangrejeras de Santurce continue to dominate in Series B (2-0).
The Criollas secured the victory with set scores of 25-21, 26-24, 22-25, and 25-16.
Kristin Lux led the Criollas’ offense with 24 points, followed by Sofía Victoriá with 22. Diana Reyes and Stephanie Enright each contributed 12 points. For Guaynabo, Valeria Flores tallied 22 points, and Rebecca Latham added 18.
In Series B, the Cangrejeras de Santurce once again overpowered the Atenienses de Manatí at the Roberto Clemente Coliseum in straight sets, 3-0 (25-20, 25-15, 25-23). Manatí has yet to win a set in the series.
Tamara Otene led Santurce’s offense with 22 points, on 17 attacks, three blocks, and two aces. Andrea Rangel contributed 16 points, while Helena Grozer chipped in 11. For Manatí, Solimar Cestero stood out with 10 points.
The series continue on Thursday, April 10, when Santurce visits Manatí at the Juan Aubín Cruz Abreu “Bincito” Coliseum at 8:30 p.m., while Guaynabo will host Caguas at the Mario “Quijote” Morales Coliseum starting at 8:00 p.m.
GUAYNABO, Puerto Rico, April 6, 2025. – The Mets de Guaynabo successfully defended their home court, the Mario “Quijote” Morales Coliseum, defeating the Criollas de Caguas 3-1 (25-17, 28-26, 20-25, 25-18) in the second match of Semifinal Series A of the Women’s Superior Volleyball League (LVSF).
The series is now tied 1-1 and will continue on Tuesday at the Roger Mendoza Coliseum in Caguas.
Rebecca Latham led with 22 points, followed by Paola Santiago with 17, Valeria Flores with 15, and Alejandra Argüello with 10. For Caguas, Diana Reyes contributed 14 points, while the team committed 25 attack errors.
Maria Carvalhaes
The home team dominated the first set from the start and held off a late surge by the Criollas. The second set was a fierce battle, eventually won by Guaynabo thanks to a key block by Alejandra Argüello. Caguas responded by taking the third set, but the Mets sealed the victory with a strong finish in the fourth.
Guaynabo outblocked Caguas 13 to 8, edged them 77 to 76 in digs, and led 40 to 30 in receptions. Both teams finished with 53 attacks and 7 aces. Caguas had the edge in excellent digs, 20 to 18.
In the other semifinal, the Santurce Cangrejeras took the first match against the Manatí Atenienses in straight sets (25-21, 25-23, 25-18), led by standout performances from Tamara Otene and Helena Grozer with 16 points each, along with 12 from Andrea Rangel and 10 from Kara McGhee.
For Manatí, in a losing effort, Tristin Savage and Solimar Cestero each scored 13 points.
LAUSANNE, Switzerland, April 4, 2025.- The FIVB proudly welcomed participants from the LEAP Programme to Volleyball House this week, providing them with a unique opportunity to learn more about the work of the International Federation, the activities within the Global Volleyball Movement, and the development of volleyball around the world.
LEAP, the International Leadership Programme for German Sport Officials and Athletes, is designed to equip future sports leaders with the skills and knowledge required to take on senior roles in international sports organizations. Led by the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) and supported by the Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community (BMI) in Germany, the programme aims to strengthen German representation in global sports governance while promoting values of integrity, transparency and sustainability.
During their visit to Volleyball House, LEAP participants were given a guided tour and attended a series of presentations from FIVB executives. FIVB President Fabio Azevedo shared the organization’s Strategic Vision 2032, outlining the long-term roadmap for global volleyball development under the motto “Together as One”.
The participants also heard from FIVB Head of Legal and General Counsel Stephen Bock on such important topics as good governance and the ASOIF Report, highlighting best practices in international sports administration as well as about the major volleyball and beach volleyball events, with presentations on the Olympic Games Paris 2024, the upcoming 2025 World Championships, and LA 2028. The work of the FIVB Volleyball Foundation, which uses the global reach and power of volleyball to support community projects worldwide that have a positive impact has also been presented.
The participants also heard about major volleyball and beach volleyball events, with Alise Kessler, FIVB Head of Volleyball, and Yu Cao, FIVB Head of Beach Volleyball, presenting on the Olympic Games Paris 2024, the upcoming 2025 World Championships, and LA 2028.
Paulo Barone, Head of Development and Sustainability, introduced the work of the FIVB Volleyball Foundation, which uses the global reach and power of volleyball to support community projects worldwide that have a positive impact.
Speaking about the visit, FIVB President Fabio Azevedo said:
“It was an honour to welcome the participants of the LEAP Programme to Volleyball House today and share insights about the FIVB, Volleyball World and the Volleyball Foundation. Collaboration and knowledge sharing is the foundation of progress in sport. We are glad to have played a part in encouraging that, to empower and inspire future leaders who I have no doubt will play a positive role in the development of global sport in the years to come.”
Julius Brink, Olympic Champion in beach volleyball in London 2012, LEAP participant added: “The warm welcome at Volleyball House was spectacular – coming here with the LEAP programme and discussing key developments in our sport and the federation was very insightful and valuable for our entire group, but also rewarding for me personally.”
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, April 5, 2025. – The Legal Commission of the North, Central America and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation (NORCECA) held a productive virtual meeting on Saturday, marking the conclusion of the latest round of NORCECA’s virtual commission sessions. The Finance Commission meeting will be scheduled at a later date, once the external audit of NORCECA’s Financial Statements by Ernst & Young (EY) is completed.
The meeting was officially opened by NORCECA President Cristóbal Marte Hoffiz, who emphasized the primary objective of the session: reviewing the updated version of the NORCECA Constitution. “This revised draft, originally proposed by the Board of Administration (BOA) and Executive Committee and approved by the 2024 NORCECA Congress, represents a significant step forward in aligning the Confederation’s governance structure with FIVB standards”.
Marte Hoffiz praised the “extraordinary work” of Commission President and NORCECA Second Vice President, Sabinah Clement, who has been instrumental in leading the revision process. “The members of the Legal Commission, all experienced legal advisers, play a vital role in guiding the BOA and Executive Committee from a legal standpoint. We are deeply grateful to Sabinah for her time and expertise in this process,” he stated.
In her opening remarks, Sabinah Clement welcomed the new members of the commission and highlighted the importance of a thorough and spirited discussion on the proposed amendments to the organization’s constitution. “Our focus today is on finalizing the constitutional amendments before they are circulated for review and subsequently submitted for formal approval by the BOA and Executive Committee,” she said. Once approved, the updated Constitution will be available on the official NORCECA website.
Clement presented a report on the NORCECA Congress held in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, on July 6-7, 2024, which she described as a great success. The Congress was well-attended, with the participation of prominent volleyball leaders including, Dr. Ary Graça and Fabio Azevedo, who at the moment held the positions of FIVB Presidentand General Director respectively. Key highlights of the Congress included the presentation of comprehensive reports on NORCECA events, commission activities, financial matters, and the President’s annual report. Additionally, the Congress saw the re-election of Cristóbal Marte Hoffiz for a new term as NORCECA President and election of the BOA and Executive Committee members.
During the Congress, constitutional amendments were introduced to ensure alignment with the FIVB Constitution.
The NORCECA Constitution, including the amendments, was presented as a draft within the Legal Commission. A comprehensive review of the draft Constitution was the central topic of discussion.
The meeting concluded as Commission members were tasked with reviewing the document in full, as part of NORCECA’s commitment to transparency, good governance, and continued progress.
CAGUAS, Puerto Rico, April 4, 2025. – The Criollas de Caguas kicked off Semifinal A of the Women’s Superior Volleyball League (LVSF) on the right foot, defeating the Mets de Guaynabo 3-1 (25-19, 15-24, 26-24, 25-23) at home in the Roger Mendoza Coliseum.
With the match tied at one set apiece, both teams battled point-for-point in the third set, with ties at 21, 22, 23, and 24.
Caguas closed the set with back-to-back points: Raymariely Santos surprised the defense with a second touch, and Lauren Matthews followed with a strong spike off the Mets’ block.
Criollas celebrated
In the fourth set, the Criollas once again came from behind. Guaynabo pulled ahead 11-5 and led 16-12 at the second technical timeout, after a successful spike from Valeria Flores on the left wing (zone four).
The Mets couldn’t hold on to their 18-12 lead, and the Criollas responded with a 7-1 run to tie the score to 19, capped by a service ace from Lauren Matthews.
The teams remained tied up to 23-all. Caguas earned set point with a back-row attack by Ivania Ortiz and sealed the victory in the next play with a solid kill from Matthews on the right side (zone two).
Lauren Matthews led the Criollas’ offense with 19 points (14 attacks, 3 blocks, and 2 aces), followed by Kristin Lux with 14 and Diana Reyes with 13.
For Guaynabo, Rebecca Latham scored 24 points, Paola Santiago added 17, and Valeria Flores contributed 15.
Caguas outperformed Guaynabo in blocks (13-11), aces (6-3), and assists (21-17). The Mets had the edge in attacks (59-51), digs (87-71), and receptions (46-43).
The next match of this best-of-seven series (first to four wins) will take place on Sunday, April 6, at the Mario Morales Coliseum in Guaynabo, starting at 5:00 p.m.
LAUSANNE, Switzerland, April 4, 2025.- National Volleyball Federations around the world now have the opportunity to offer their registered members direct access to the sport’s premium content through a partnership with Volleyball World’s streaming service VBTV.
The agreement allows National Federations to provide their members with free or discounted VBTV subscriptions, giving them full access to the platform’s extensive digital catalog in the exciting 2025 season, which will see volleyball and beach volleyball stars begin their journeys toward the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
VBTV streams live all major international volleyball and beach volleyball tournaments, including the World Championships for both disciplines, the Volleyball Nations League, and the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour. The platform also showcases premier national volleyball leagues, such as the Italian, Brazilian, Japanese, and Polish leagues.
The program was designed to deliver world-class volleyball content directly to local communities through National Federations, offering them the ability to:
– Increase local engagement and loyalty.
– Improve fan experience and global integration.
– Collaborate on digital activations and marketing efforts with VBTV and the FIVB.
As many as 12 National Federations have already joined the program, including the ones of Bulgaria, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Faroe Islands, Greenland, Hungary, Italy, Laos, Puerto Rico, Singapore and St. Eustatius.
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, April 4, 2025.- The NORCECA Development Commission held its virtual meeting on Friday, highlighting the Confederation’s remarkable development structure, which has set the foundation for the FIVB Development Program. As a leading Confederation in sustainable support, NORCECA continues to enhance development programs for its regional members.
NORCECA President Cristobal Marte Hoffiz delivered enthusiastic opening remarks, emphasizing the significance of this initiative, “We are privileged to have our NORCECA Vice President Mushtaque Mohammed as President of the FIVB Development Commission. Mushtaque convinced me that development takes time. In addition, NORCECA Vice President Glenn Quinlan is President of the FIVB Volleyball Empowerment Program”.
Marte Hoffiz further acknowledged the importance of the commission as an essential channel for all NORCECA National Federations, stating that since 2008, the Confederation has worked to meet the needs of its members, not only by providing equipment annually but also by offering financial support. He underscored that sports require financial backing, and NORCECA has implemented transparent financial support mechanisms to assist National Federations, particularly those in categories 1 and 2. This support has enabled many Federations to build their local organizations and successfully host both regional and continental events.
“NORCECA proudly leads among Continental Confederations by organizing this year twenty beach volleyball tournaments and sixteen indoor tournaments, demonstrating its commitment to growing the sport at all levels” Marte added.
Mushtaque Mohammed, President of the Development Commission, reiterated the commission’s critical role in making informed proposals to the NORCECA Board of Administration and Executive Committee on highly technical matters. Expressing his appreciation for NORCECA President Cristobal Marte’s unwavering support, “I am more enthusiastic than ever, as our journey began in 2001. Thanks to Cristobal Marte’s leadership, we have had the tools to make significant progress in NORCECA and in the FIVB”.
The members were presented with a two-part commission report which highlighted the FIVB and NORCECA structures for development.
As for the FIVB, its program is modeled after NORCECA’s development structure, which has evolved to address the region’s needs and now serves as a blueprint for FIVB. Members of the Development Commission are long-time volleyball advocates who bring invaluable experience to the program.
The FIVB Development Commission now includes the Empowerment Program, which provides targeted support for National Federations, including coaching assistance, volleyball equipment, and knowledge transfer initiatives.
A vital tool introduced during the meeting is the FIVB E-Learning Platform, which offers essential resources such as coach and referee education, mandatory courses for athletes, and tutorials on various aspects of the sport, such as VIS registrations. This platform will soon be available on the NORCECA website, reinforcing education as a key development component.
The Development Commission aligns with three strategic goals of the FIVB Strategic Vision: Development, Volleyball Empowerment, and the Volleyball Foundation. However, challenges remain in ensuring that National Federations not only apply for support but successfully execute their programs. The Commission stressed the need to provide additional guidance and resources to help Federations implement their development plans effectively.
Education and e-learning are integral to this initiative, particularly for young athletes. Programs such as Play Clean and the Sport Manipulation Program must be emphasized to ensure ethical participation. Additionally, compliance with the FIVB’s new regulations on female coaching staff in women’s competitions will be implemented in NORCECA starting in 2025, with at least one female coach mandatory per team.
NORCECA’s Development Plan represented a significant financial investment, underscoring the importance of sustainable management at the National Federation level. The commission proposed a Sports Management Program for the National Federations aimed at educating local administrators in effective management practices, ensuring long-term sustainability.
Glenn Quinlan, responsible for the Empowerment Program, highlighted his commitment to assisting small National Federations in developing a system that fosters professional growth for athletes, coaches, and referees. He emphasized the importance of creating viable career pathways in volleyball, especially in countries with limited resources. “My role is to bring the experience I have gathered over the years working with small National Federations, helping them not only establish but also sustain their development”.
Additionally, Quinlan announced that the Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) is in the planning stages of implementing a Sports Management Program, which could serve as a model for NORCECA’s Development Program in this area.
Professor Nelson Ramírez presented a detailed report on the NORCECA/FIVB Regional Volleyball Development Center in Santo Domingo, which he directs, with details available on the NORCECA website. NORCECA is stepping forward to implement training programs for female coaches and referees in 2025, vie the Development Center, to meet FIVB’s 2026 requirements.
The meeting concluded with Mushtaque Mohammed’s closing remarks, reaffirming “NORCECA’s dedication to pushing boundaries and advancing volleyball development from success to significance is remarkable and with everybody stepping on board we will not only accomplish our goals but go beyond”.
The final round of commission virtual meetings will take place tomorrow with the Legal Commission.
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, April 3, 2025 .– The NORCECA Beach Volleyball Commission held its virtual meeting to discuss the ongoing development and future of beach volleyball within the Confederation. With a commitment to year-round competition and structured growth, NORCECA continues to strengthen its position as a global force in beach volleyball.
Cristobal Marte Hoffiz, NORCECA President, emphasized the remarkable growth and sustainability of beach volleyball in the region over the past 20 years. “In 2025, NORCECA will host 20 Continental events, 13 stages of the NORCECA Beach Tour, two stages Under-23 NORCECA Tour, the NORCECA Qualification event for the 2025 FIVB World Championship, two underage (U18 and U21) NORCECA Qualification events for the respective FIVB World Championships and two multi-sport events (Junior Panamerican Games in Asunción and Central American Games in Guatemala).
Beach Volleyball Commission president, Eduard Drakich, welcomed the commission members, expressing gratitude for the dedication of the NORCECA Beach Volleyball Department and recognizing the positive impact of NORCECA’s calendar expansion. He highlighted recent international achievements, such as Cuba’s gold medal in an Elite Volleyball World Beach Pro event and Canada’s Olympic silver medal in women, emphasizing that these teams developed within NORCECA’s system.
The Beach Volleyball Department is working diligently to increase participation across more countries and to secure FIVB ranking points for zonal association events, where permanent facilities in countries such as Nicaragua, El Salvador, Bonaire, Trinidad & Tobago, and the Dominican Republic was highlighted, and which ensure the smooth organization of events and ease of travel arrangements for athletes. While the Dominican Republic remains a key hub for beach volleyball, consistently hosting several high-profile events.
Zonal associations have been in continuous growth, in which the Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) was praised delivering tournaments with massive participation, as well as the Central American Volleyball Association (AFECAVOL) who has successfully launched underage Beach Volleyball events, completing the full cycle of age-group tournaments. In addition, the NORCECA Beach Tour, in coordination with AFECAVOL, has strengthened the Central American Tour, integrating four stages within the NORCECA Beach Tour.
Among the major events scheduled for 2025 is the Senior World Qualification Tournament in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, to be held before September 22, in which twelve teams per gender based on the 2024 NORCECA country rankings will compete. The Commission also discussed preparations for two U23 events leading up to Asunción, further solidifying NORCECA’s commitment to developing young talent.
A significant topic addressed was that the underage tournaments will align with FIVB’s revised age groups, U18 and U21. NORCECA U18 and U21 World Championships Qualifiers which will further showcase the Confederation’s strength in youth development. The top three countries from each of the CAZOVA and ECVA zonal qualification tournaments, the top four countries from the AFECAVOL zonal qualification tournament and all six countries from the Central Zone will compete in these Continental qualifiers.
Ariel Sainz, NORCECA First Vice-president and member of the Sports Organizing Commission, provided updates on the Junior Pan American Games to be held this year in Asunción, Paraguay. He also explained that for the 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games to take place in Santo Domingo, the representatives from Colombia and Venezuela must compete in the 2025 NORCECA Tour to qualify, requiring a top eight finish in the final ranking, however, for NORCECA rankings, these teams will be excluded.
Ed Drakich expressed in his closing statement, “I praise the efficiency of the meeting, and the valuable discussions held, reaffirming NORCECA’s commitment to collaboration and excellence. The Confederation’s structured approach ensures that beach volleyball continues to flourish, delivering high-level competition throughout the year”.
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, April 2, 2025. – The NORCECA Confederation Refereeing Commission held its virtual meeting to discuss various resources aimed at optimizing referee performance and the training of new officials in the region.
NORCECA President Cristobal Marte Hoffiz welcomed the participants, emphasizing the key role that referees play in ensuring neutrality and the success of NORCECA competitions. Marte Hoffiz stated, “In recent years, refereeing has improved significantly thanks to a strong training program, I am pleased with the increase in the number of female referees, achieving gender balance. However, we need to continue these efforts as we aim to have more female referees and elevate the level of development we aspire to.”
Pati Rolf, President of the Refereeing Commission, expressed her enthusiasm for continuing the work initiated by former commission president Guy Bradbury and reaffirmed the importance of collaboration among the various working groups that have contributed to the training of new NORCECA referees. “The love for officiating is the driving force of our commission. We are a team within the team, pushing for excellence in our competitions,” Rolf stated.
During the meeting, reports from AFECAVOL, CAZOVA, and ECVA were presented, all with the goal of uniting efforts for a better future. Training initiatives, including virtual clinics and courses for continental referees, were discussed. A model was proposed where zonal clinics would serve as the foundation for replicating continental certification courses, allowing candidates to advance in their certification process.
The implementation of a “Knowledge Transfer” project was introduced, aiming to ensure that refereeing experience and training are backed by proper certification. Working groups will be established to design the necessary training programs, exposing that our Confederation is committed to creating opportunities for developing referees to gain experience and validate their knowledge under the supervision of instructors.
Pati Rolf emphasized the need for a training model that provides direct education during competitions while ensuring compliance with FIVB criteria regarding content and required preparation hours.
Mushtaque Mohammed, NORCECA Vice President and FIVB Development Commission President, suggested a combination of online theoretical classes before events and practical sessions during zonal tournaments, with different certification levels depending on the type of competition.
On this topic, Glenn Quinlan, NORCECA Vice President and FIVB Empowerment Commission President, outlined a project currently being planned for ECVA events. As ECVA President, he emphasized the need for the NORCECA Referee Commission’s collaboration to implement this initiative, which could later serve as a model for other zonal associations.
Andre Trottier and Jorge Villalobos presented a report on the general activities of Referee Coaches at beach and indoor volleyball events, respectively. They highlighted the progress of candidates in the 2024 referee courses held in Puerto Rico and the continuous supervision provided during the NORCECA Tour.
In beach volleyball, the 2025 NORCECA Tour, which includes fifteen stops, presents a major opportunity for referee candidates to complete their certification requirements. The importance of zonal associations nominating referees to participate in these events is a must.
Forms and reports that Referee Coaches will complete at the end of each competition were introduced. These documents will help track referees’ performance, categorization, and future assignments.
The need for the updates to the rules of the game was emphasized. Guy Bradbury highlighted three key rule adaptations for indoor volleyball, which will be explained by Referee Coaches to coaches during the preliminary inquires.
Manuel Calderón, member of NORCECA’s VIS Commission, announced that he is preparing a step-by-step guide for the use of Volley Station Pro and Volley Station Referee, stressing the importance of synchronizing both systems to ensure accurate data management. Additionally, he explained that pre-tournament clinics have been implemented during competitions to train scorekeepers and ensure proper use of these tools.
The urgent need to update NORCECA’s referee database in the FIVB VIS system was reaffirmed. Each zonal association will be responsible for compiling and providing this data.
In her closing remarks, Pati Rolf expressed gratitude to NORCECA for its ongoing support to referees, stating, “The positive work environment and our achievements in competitions and meetings like this one, are the result of NORCECA’s commitment, including that of its referees.” She added, “I am excited for the upcoming events and reaffirm that our commission is dedicated to the growth and professionalization of refereeing in the region.”
LAUSANNE, Switzerland, April 1, 2025.- The Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) delegation, led by Secretary General Hugh Graham – who also serves as the Executive Vice-President of the FIVB and President of the Oceania Zonal Volleyball Association (OZVA) – embarked on a week-long visit to Lausanne, Switzerland, to meet with the leadership and key departments of both the FIVB and Volleyball World.
The visit focused on strengthening collaboration, enhancing operational knowledge and reinforcing a shared vision for the global growth of volleyball.
A key highlight was a meeting with FIVB President Fabio Azevedo, where discussions centered on the continued development of volleyball around the world through the FIVB Strategic Vision 2032, and the pivotal role of Continental Confederations in driving progress. The delegation also attended an insightful presentation by the FIVB General Sports Director Steve Tutton, who provided a detailed outline of the strategic vision, which emphasizes four core pillars: Professionalism, Integration, Empowerment and Mass Participation.
Throughout the week, AVC representatives engaged in detailed discussions with various FIVB departments, collaborating on a broad range of topics. These included Volleyball Empowerment and Development programs, communications and social media management, organization of corporate events, legal framework and good governance, and sustainability, which all explored initiatives aimed at ensuring the long-term growth of volleyball. Additionally, sessions with Administration, HR & Finance as well as the Legal department addressed key regulatory frameworks and governance. Technical discussions were also held with the Heads of both Volleyball and Beach Volleyball, who outlined the exciting plans for the future of each discipline under the FIVB Strategic Vision 2032.
The delegation also spent significant time with Volleyball World, the commercial arm of the FIVB, dedicated to growing the sport’s visibility and business portfolio. These discussions covered multiple aspects of the organization’s operations, including sponsorship and media strategies, marketing and digital content, technology and VBTV, finance and event management, and overall business growth.
The delegation additionally had the opportunity to explore more of Lausanne, visiting the Olympic Museum as well as the historic Lausanne Cathedral.
This visit demonstrated the shared commitment of the FIVB, Volleyball World and AVC to empower the Global Volleyball Movement and to elevate the sport globally through sharing expertise and aligning on strategic priorities.
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, April 1, 2025. – The NORCECA Technical and Coaches Commission held its virtual meeting focused on coach development and knowledge transmission, aiming to strengthen volleyball within the NORCECA Confederation.
NORCECA President, Cristóbal Marte Hoffiz, highlighted in his welcome speech the importance of the commission’s role and its members in fostering the growth of volleyball in the region. “Our Confederation has greatly supported the efforts of the FIVB Empowerment Program, a highly significant plan for strengthening national teams.”
During the meeting, strategic plans for 2025 and 2026 were discussed, focusing on increasing support and equipment for the National Federations most in need. Additionally, the necessity of developing national teams and coaching programs was emphasized, encouraging coaches to complete Level 1 and 2 courses, especially women. This aligns with the new FIVB regulation that, starting in 2026, will require all national women’s teams to include at least one female member in their coaching staff for international championships.
The commission’s president, Francisco Cruz Jiménez, underscored the importance of active participation from all members to address key issues and continue raising the level of volleyball in NORCECA. Cruz highlighted the need to evaluate the relationship between investment and performance in competitions, promoting an effective assessment of the impact of development programs.
The challenges faced by National Federations in various zonal associations were recognized, as well as the need to find sustainable solutions to overcome them. Among the recommendations was conducting a country-specific diagnostic of what needs to be implemented, evaluating its execution, and periodically reviewing its effectiveness.
A key discussion point was the implementation of the “Coach-to-Coach” program, designed to assess each federation’s needs and ensure proper execution through periodic reviews.
Mushtaque Mohammed, NORCECA Vice President and President of the FIVB Development Commission, stressed that the solution does not lie solely in coach training but also in improving governance within National Federations. Additionally, Mohammed emphasized the importance of efficient management in National Federations, as proper governance is crucial for the success of development programs in all aspects of the sport.
Mohammed elaborated on the idea that, besides technical training, coaches should incorporate athlete education into their development programs, define investment strategies, and work in collaboration with National Olympic Committees and local governments.
The session also included discussions on implementing training courses for coaches through the NORCECA-FIVB Regional Development Center in Santo Domingo. The need to offer refresher seminars for Level 3 coaches and to restore specialized clinics, which had been part of NORCECA programs in previous years, was also addressed.
The meeting featured the participation of John Kessel from the United States, a member of the commission, and NORCECA Vice President and Volleyball Canada President Mark Eckert, who shared experiences on empowerment programs. Kessel referenced the “Let’s Keep the Ball Flying” and “Volleyball Foundation” initiatives, which drive social development worldwide, leveraging the power of volleyball to tackle social imbalances and bring about positive social change. Meanwhile, Mark Eckert highlighted that Canada’s women’s volleyball program has benefited from the FIVB Empowerment Program, a model that helped improve their world ranking from 18th to 8th place in just four years.
Finally, Marte Hoffiz expressed his satisfaction with the session’s outcomes, noting that several proposals will be presented to the NORCECA Board of Administration for consideration. In his closing remarks, he stated, “Above all, there must be a strong will to ensure that coaching education programs and all aspects of development achieve the results we aim for.”
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, March 31, 2025. – As the virtual meetings of NORCECA commissions continued, the NORCECA Sports Organization Commission met to assess key points for establishing criteria and procedures that will guide the preparation of the Confederation’s competition calendars, including the Olympic cycle.
NORCECA President Cristóbal Marte Hoffiz emphasized the importance of this commission as the backbone of the Confederation, “With the planning and execution efforts of the Sports Organization Commission, we ensure effective preparation for the events in our calendar, both for 2025 and the next four years.”
Commission President Ariel Sainz highlighted, “Working together is crucial for the continuous development of volleyball. We have fundamental points that must be considered for the effective functioning of NORCECA, serving as a platform and support system for the other working commissions of the Confederation.”
The members addressed the details of two multi-sport events in 2025, as well as 14 continental tournaments and 15 stops on the NORCECA Tour, all scheduled for 2025, reinforcing the Confederation’s reputation and its impact on the development of volleyball in the region. Additionally, financial support was confirmed for all national federations for their preparation.
Besides reviewing NORCECA’s 2024 annual activity report, presented by Cristóbal Marte Hoffiz, the meeting also discussed the work report presented by Sainz, who emphasized preparations for the 2025-2028 events.
Preparations for multi-sport events include technical visits, drafting technical manuals, and structuring competition calendars. This process has already been completed for the 2025 II Junior Pan American Games in Asunción, Paraguay. Progress has also been made for the 2026 XXV Central American and Caribbean Games in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, highlighting the qualification process of Colombia and Venezuela. For the 2027 XX Pan American Games in Lima, Peru, work is underway on the qualification system, which includes the winners of the 2025 II Junior Pan American Games and the highest-ranked team from a Confederation that does not win the championship. Meanwhile, for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, USA, it was confirmed that the champions of the 2026 Continental Championships will qualify.
The commission’s mission is to ensure effective organization to guarantee the success of each competition. A preliminary calendar for 2026 was also established, allowing host countries to plan ahead and submit proposals to NORCECA.
The importance of setting clear procedures and criteria for selecting host cities for major events, such as Olympic and World Championship qualifiers, was emphasized. Applicant countries must have prior experience in organizing competitions of the corresponding category.
The 2025 competition regulations and the 2024 NORCECA ranking are already available on NORCECA’s website. Additionally, zonal associations (AFECAVOL, CAZOVA, ECVA) were urged to prepare zonal rankings by category, as NORCECA continues to award ranking points for all events organized by these associations.
The strategic vision of the FIVB for 2024-2032 was also reviewed, which sets 15 priorities for the development of volleyball and beach volleyball. NORCECA aims to strengthen its Continental Championships, Senior Pan American Cups, and the NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour to enhance the relevance of regional events, elevating their competitive and organizational levels.
Finally, the resumption of the XIII Central American Sports Games 2025, to be held in Guatemala, was highlighted, with Carlos Enrique Santis, NORCECA’s General Secretary and President of the Guatemalan National Federation, acting as FIVB Supervisor.
Ariel Sainz concluded, “Strong foundations guide our Confederation in tackling the complexities of the 2025 calendar, with the establishment of control committees to ensure the growth and development of volleyball in the region.”
QUINTANA ROO, Mexico, March 30, 2025.- Noslen Diaz and Jorge Alayo were first acknowledged as a top team in international beach volleyball after they dominated local tournaments held in the NORCECA region. Their first major victory on the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour couldn’t, then, happen anywhere else in the world and so it was on Sunday, when the Cuban Olympians took gold in the Elite event held in Quintana Roo, Mexico.
With the vast support of the home fans, Diaz and Alayo emerged as the top team of the first Elite event of 2025 after beating the Argentinean Capogrosso brothers Nicolas and Tomas in the gold medal match at Playa del Carmen. American qualifiers Chaim Schalk and James Shaw completed the podium in Mexico and took bronze.
Watch the Beach Pro Tour Quintana Roo Elite matches on demand on VBTV
Diaz, 22, and Alayo, 23, completed an undefeated campaign that saw them beat seven different teams in Mexico, including reigning world champions Ondrej Perusic and David Schweiner of Czechia, while dropping just one set with a 2-0 (21-13, 24-22) victory over the Capogrosso brothers on Sunday’s gold medal match.
DIAZ Y ALAYO CUBA
“We feel at home here in Mexico,” Diaz remarked. “The Mexicans are very supportive of us, and I got to meet many Cubans who were cheering on us as well this week. I hope they all enjoyed this incredible event.”
Competing regularly on the Beach Pro Tour since 2023, the Paris 2024 Olympians had been in Beach Pro Tour finals three times before, all of them in Challenge events, but were yet to win gold. Heading to Quintana Roo, the two, who also took silver at the 2023 Pan-American Games, had achieved their best result at the Elite level in Mexico, where they took bronze in Tepic last year.
“It’s our first gold medal in an Elite event and I’m very grateful that it happened here in Mexico,” Alayo reacted. “The fans were amazing, I want to thank them, my coach and my partner for this victory.”
Their opponents in Sunday’s gold medal match, Nicolas and Tomas Caprogrosso were also pursuing their first gold medals in a Beach Pro Tour Elite event. They had, however, to settle for silver for a second straight time after finishing second also at the tournament held in Rio de Janeiro last November.
The third team to step on the podium in Quintana Roo, Americans Schalk and Shaw secured their first medal as partners in their fifth event sharing the same side of the court. The two started this week’s event in the qualifier and secured five wins in seven matches, the most notable of them against reigning Olympic champions David Åhman and Jonatan Hellvig of Sweden in the quarterfinals.
On Sunday, they rewarded their excellent week with a piece of silverware after prevailing over the new Dutch team of Alexander Brouwer and Steven van de Velde 2-0 (21-19, 21-16) in the bronze medal match.
After a one-week break, the Beach Pro Tour will return with another Elite event in Saquarema, Brazil, from April 9-13.
QUINTANA ROO, Mexico, March 30, 2025.- Americans Terese Cannon and Megan Kraft captured the silver medal at the first Elite event of the 2025 Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour which came to an end on Sunday in Quintana Roo Mexico, while Kristen Nuss and Taryn (Kloth) Brasher, also representing the United States, won the bronze medal.
Watch the Beach Pro Tour Quintana Roo Elite matches on demand on VBTV
In the gold medal match, Cannon and Kraft fell 0-2 (13-21, 17-21) against Brazilians Carol and Rebecca, who competed as partners for the first time at the international level.
Cannon and Kraft have a lot to take from the Quintana Roo event as they managed to continue in great form and extend their streak of podium appearance in Elite events on the Beach Pro Tour to five – they won four silver and one bronze medals in the period.
After taking three teams to the semifinals, the United States got to have two of them on the podium on Sunday. The top-seeded duo in the event, Nuss and Brasher claimed the last available spot with a 2-0 (21-16, 21-14) victory over compatriots Kelly Cheng and Molly Shaw on Sunday’s bronze medal match.
It was the 14th medal won by the Paris Olympians since they started competing internationally in 2022. Nuss and Brasher now have eight gold, three silver and three bronze medals, with ten of those coming in Elite events.
After a one-week break, the Beach Pro Tour will return with another Elite event in Saquarema, Brazil, from April 9-13.
GUAYNABO, Puerto Rico, March 30, 2025.– The Mets de Guaynabo became the fourth semifinalist of the Women’s Volleyball Superior League (LVSF) after dominating Section A of the quarterfinals with a third consecutive victory over the Changas de Naranjito.
The Mets de Guaynabo defeated the Changas de Naranjito 3-0 (25-20, 26-24, 25-23) on Sunday at the Mario “Quijote” Morales Coliseum. Despite the loss, Naranjito fought until the last play of each set.
In the semifinals, the Mets de Guaynabo will face the Criollas de Caguas in Series A. Meanwhile, Series B promises to be a memorable battle between the defending champions, the Cangrejeras de Santurce, and the runners-up of the last tournament, the Atenienses de Manatí. The semifinals will begin on April 4.
During the quarterfinal match, the Changas were close to taking the second set with a 23-20 lead, but a 6-1 run by the Mets denied them the opportunity. In the third and decisive set, Naranjito came within 23-24, but a service error cost them the match and ultimately their postseason hopes.
Naranjito ended the season without securing a single road victory, including this quarterfinal series.
The Mets’ offense was led by Rebecca Latham with 16 points, supported by Valeria Flores and Paola Santiago, who each contributed 14 points.
For Naranjito, the top scorer was Genesis Collazo with 11 points.
Statistically, Guaynabo dominated in key areas, holding advantages in attacks (41-38), blocks (10-8), aces (8-2), digs (51-48), receptions (31-29), and assists (18-14).
QUINTANA ROO, Mexico, March 29, 2025.- Led by Americans Chaim Schalk and James Shaw, who eliminated reigning Olympic champions David Åhman and Jonatan Hellvig of Sweden in just their sixth tournament as partners, teams from four different countries advanced to the men’s semifinals of the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Elite event held in Quintana Roo, Mexico, on Saturday.
Sunday, the last day of action of the first Elite tournament of the 2025 season, will start at the Playa del Carmen with the semifinals, which will have the Americans facing the Argentinean Capogrosso brothers Nicolas and Tomas at 11:00 local time (16:00 GMT) and Cubans Noslen Diaz and Jorge Alayo meeting the new Dutch team of Alexander Brouwer and Steven van de Velde one hour later. The gold medal match is scheduled for 16:00 local time (21:00 GMT), with the dispute for bronze starting one hour earlier.
Watch the Beach Pro Tour Quintana Roo Elite live on VBTV
Schalk, 38, and Shaw, 31, produced arguably the most shocking result of the still young Beach Pro Tour season so far in the quarterfinals, when the Americans, who started the tournament in the qualifier, took down Åhman and Hellvig in the tie-breaker (21-19, 13-21, 15-8) to secure their first semifinal appearances as partners. With the upset, the Swedes will miss the podium for just the second time in their last 13 Beach Pro Tour events.
The Americans will now face the Capogrossos for a second-straight day after falling to the South Americans in straight sets (21-17, 22-20) in the Round of 12 earlier on Saturday – Schalk and Shaw still advanced despite the defeat as one of the two best losing sides.
The American victory wasn’t, however, the only upset in the quarterfinal round in Quintana Roo. One hour earlier, Cuban Olympians Diaz and Alayo had stunned reigning world champions Ondrej Perusic and David Schweiner of Czechia, knocking them out with a 2-1 (16-21, 21-14, 15-11) victory in Mexico.
Earlier, in the Round of 12, the Caribbean had gotten the better of Norwegians Hendrik Mol and Mathias Berntsen, winning in two sets (21-18, 21-17).
QUINTANA ROO, Mexico, March 29, 2025.- Beach volleyball powerhouse the United States will fight for gold in the first Elite event of the 2025 Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour season on Sunday in Quintana Roo, Mexico, against Brazil.
The last two teams standing in the event held at Playa del Carmen, USA’s Terese Cannon/Megan Kraft and Brazil’s Carol Salgado/Rebecca Cavalcanti will duel in the gold medal match at 14:00 local time (19:00 GMT). A second American team is guaranteed to step on the podium as Kristen Nuss/Taryn Brasher and Kelly Cheng/Molly Shaw will compete in the bronze medal match one hour earlier.
Watch the Beach Pro Tour Quintana Roo Elite live on VBTV
Cannon and Kraft path to the gold medal match on Saturday, started the day with a 2-1 (21-15, 18-21, 15-9) victory over FIVB World Ranking leaders Svenja Müller and Cinja Tillmann of Germany in the quarterfinals and getting a clean sweep (21-18, 21-19) against Cheng and Shaw in the semifinals a few hours later.
The Americans got a second chance in the tournament after losing to Cheng and Shaw on Friday, in the Round of 12, as they still advanced to the quarterfinals as one of the two best losing sides.
“The new format is interesting,” Kraft remarked. “We had to bounce back as quickly as we could. They’re a really good team and we knew they would give us a good game. We were happy to get a second life in the tournament and just tried to make the most of it.”
Partners since 2023, the Americans have been in great form since the 2024 season and will, in Mexico, get into the podium for a fifth-straight Elite tournament on the Beach Pro Tour. The two, however, are yet to win gold at the international level.
Brazilians Carol and Rebeca, in their second Beach Pro Tour event as partners (and the first at the Elite level), needed the tie-breaker (18-21, 21-13, 15-10) to eliminate the Austrian Klinger sisters Dorina and Klinger in the quarterfinals before sweeping (21-17, 21-11) the top-seeded Nuss and Brasher in the semifinals.
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, March 29, 2025. – The Cangrejeras de Santurce swept their quarterfinal series in Section B of the Women’s Volleyball Superior League (LVSF) against the Valencianas de Juncos after securing their third consecutive victory.
The Cangrejeras defeated the Valencianas 3-0 (25-22, 25-23, 25-17) on Saturday at the Roberto Clemente Coliseum in San Juan.
With two sets in their favor, the Cangrejeras sealed the victory after dominating the second technical timeout of the third set with a 16-13 lead. Neira Ortiz attacked through the middle, Helena Grozer scored from zone four, and Ortiz struck again with two consecutive attacks. A block on Markenzie Benoit extended the lead to 20-13, a deficit that Juncos could not recover from.
Santurce reached set point at 24-17 with a powerful cross-court attack from Tamara Otene in zone four, then secured the win on the next play with an ace from Cristina Martínez.
Helena Grozer led the Cangrejeras with 15 points (13 attacks, 1 block, and 1 ace). Andrea Rangel contributed 14 points, while Tamara Otene added 13. For Juncos, Jaylen Hodge stood out with 16 points.
The Cangrejeras outperformed the Valencianas in attacks (46-33), blocks (9-7), and assists (18-12). Juncos had the advantage in aces (5-2), digs (45-38), and receptions (31-27).
In the semifinals, the Cangrejeras will face last season’s runners-up, the Ateniensesde Manatí, who advanced directly to this stage after finishing second in the regular season.
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, March 29, 2025.– In recent years, the NORCECA Confederation has been a leader in anti-doping controls, with a growing commitment to ensuring the education and health of athletes, which was reinforced during the organization’s Medical Commission virtual meeting.
Under the leadership of NORCECA President Cristóbal Marte Hoffiz, the Confederation has been a pioneer in conducting anti-doping tests, including testing in junior and youth competitions for several years.
Dr. Víctor Figueroa, President of the Medical Commission, expressed his gratitude to the members for being part of the commission and highlighted their commitment during competitions.
Dr. Figueroa emphasized, “NORCECA has reached agreements with local anti-doping agencies, leading to significant progress in complying with international regulations. The Medical Commission has undergone major changes with the inclusion of new members and the definition of specific duties for medical delegates, which have been extensively discussed with the members.”
During the Medical Commission meeting, key topics were addressed to improve the performance of medical delegates and strengthen their role in sports events. NORCECA has implemented clear procedures that have been in practice for several years, which were presented to the FIVB with the aim of being replicated in international events.
The well-being of athletes and referees remains a priority for the commission. It was highlighted that athletes must be well-informed about medication use and anti-doping regulations. NORCECA expects medical professionals to contribute their expertise for the benefit of athletes while maintaining trust, confidentiality, and loyalty.
The commitment to making decisions in the best interest of volleyball and NORCECA was reaffirmed, avoiding conflicts of interest. Medical Commission members must meet annually for updates, participate in working groups, and maintain constant communication to share insights and improve processes.
In Dr. Víctor Figueroa’s report, the responsibilities of the medical delegate during competitions were outlined, including: ensuring the presence of local medical personnel before the competition; verifying medical facilities and doping control areas; ensuring the availability of sports medical staff during training and matches; explaining medical protocols in preliminary meetings; verifying the proper completion of medical forms; conducting medical check-ups for referees; supervising the adequate nutrition and hydration for teams; collecting injury forms; acting as a safeguarding officer for athletes and referees; and ensuring that all teams have medical insurance.
At NORCECA events, anti-doping education has been provided to athletes before competitions, and this practice will continue as part of its educational program. The goal is to raise awareness of the consequences of using prohibited substances and their serious health risks, therefore all competition regulations establish that athletes must complete the FIVB “Play Clean” program, with medical delegates reinforcing compliance.
Although alcohol testing is no longer mandatory, if requested, all necessary elements must be made available to conduct the tests.
NORCECA has signed an agreement with the Pan American Regional Anti-Doping Organization (ORAD-PAN) for sample collection during competitions, with the medical delegate responsible for facilitating and supervising the process to ensure efficiency.
In 2024, all anti-doping tests conducted at NORCECA events returned negative results. For 2025, the agreement and testing will continue across all competitions, reaffirming NORCECA’s commitment to athlete health.
Significant advances have been made in medical care, and the work of the Medical Commission remains essential for its implementation.
NORCECA’s virtual commission meetings will continue until April 5, with the next meeting, scheduled for March 31, bringing together the members of the Sports Organization Commission.
LAUSANNE, Switzerland, March 27, 2025.- In what was a highly productive meeting this week, the FIVB team met with key representatives from the Canton de Vaud of Switzerland. With collaboration opportunities in mind, discussions centered around impactful social projects and the growth of volleyball and sport in the canton.
Representing the FIVB were President Fabio Azevedo; Volleyball World Chairman Fernando Lima; FIVB Finance and Administration Director Giuseppina Rigamonti; Head of International Affairs and Communications Anna Manuelian, and Head of Volleyball Alise Kessler.
The Canton de Vaud was represented by President of the Council of State of Vaud Christelle Luisier Brodard ;DeputyHead of Physical Education and Sport Raoul Vuffray, and Director of the Lausanne Olympic Capital Foundation Sébastien Griesmar.
A key focus of the meeting was the presentation of the FIVB Strategic Vision 2032, a long-term plan aimed at strengthening the global volleyball ecosystem through four core pillars; Professionalism, Integration, Empowerment and Mass Participation. These principles aim to make volleyball even more accessible and impactful, bringing people together, inspiring positive societal change and ensuring a brighter future for the sport.
The FIVB team also showcased a series of social impact projects that reflect the Federation’s commitment to using volleyball as a tool for positive change in the world.
Another key topic was partnership opportunities between the FIVB and the Canton de Vaud. As the home of the FIVB headquarters, the Canton de Vaud plays a crucial role in supporting international sport. Both sides expressed a shared interest in strengthening collaboration for future initiatives.
During the meeting, President Fabio Azevedo highlighted the strong leadership of Madame Luisier Brodard, stating:
“The leadership of President Christelle Luisier Brodard has been instrumental in ensuring a positive and supportive environment for the growth of volleyball and sport in a region so often seen as the heart of the Olympic Movement. We are grateful for her ongoing commitment to our shared goals and the continued strong relationship between the FIVB and the Canton de Vaud.”
LAUSANNE, Switzerland, March 29, 2025.- The FIVB delegation, led by President Fabio Azevedo, recently met with the German Volleyball Federation (DVV) to discuss the sport’s development in Germany. Discussions focused on the impact of the FIVB Volleyball Empowerment program, recent success of volleyball athletes from Germany, and plans for the future as the two organizations explored additional collaboration opportunities.
The German delegation was represented by DVV President Markus Dieckmann and CEO René Beck.
A key focus of the meeting was reviewing the FIVB Volleyball Empowerment program’s contributions to volleyball in Germany. To date, the FIVB has invested CHF 288,000 across four projects, primarily supporting coaching development to enhance the performance of national teams. This investment has already led to significant milestones, including the women’s national team qualifying for the FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship 2025 in Thailand, the men’s national team securing a spot at the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship 2025 in the Philippines, and the girls’ U19 national team earning qualification for the FIVB Volleyball U19 World Championship 2025 in Croatia and Serbia.
The discussions also centered around FIVB and Volleyball World’s global strategies and priorities, the current status of volleyball in Germany, key challenges and potential solutions, future collaborations, including funding and marketing initiatives, and shared targets for the sustainable development of volleyball in the country.
Another key topic was Germany’s recent success in international volleyball and beach volleyball, particularly at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 with Nils Ehlers and Clemens Wicklerwinning silver medal in beach volleyball.
The FIVB and DVV also explored opportunities to host future FIVB events in Germany, reflecting the country’s position as a key market for volleyball.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to ongoing collaboration, ensuring that German volleyball continues to grow at all levels, in line with the FIVB Strategic Vision 2032. The stage is set for an exciting future for volleyball in Germany.
NARANJITO, Puerto Rico, March 29, 2025.– In the continuation of the Section A quarterfinals of the Women’s Volleyball Superior League (LVSF), held at the legendary Gelito Ortega court in Naranjito, the Mets de Guaynabo secured their second consecutive victory over the Changas de Naranjito, putting them just one win away from the semifinals.
The Mets de Guaynabo defeated the Changas de Naranjito 3-1 (25-19, 17-25, 26-24, 25-23).
With the match tied at one set apiece, the third set proved to be the most intense, extending into extra points, where the visiting team emerged victorious by holding off the home team’s surge.
In the fourth set, Naranjito refused to back down, making a strong push in the final phase, but was unable to complete the comeback. Guaynabo reached set point (24-19) with a powerful spike from Rebecca Latham. Although Changas scored four consecutive points, a hitting error by Génesis Collazo sealed the match.
Rebecca Latham once again stood out as Guaynabo’s key player, scoring 27 points, including 25 attacks and two blocks. Paola Santiago contributed 20 points, while Valeria Flores added 13.
For Naranjito, Adanna Rollins led the scoring with 27 points, followed by Aury Cruz with 14 and Génesis Collazo with 13.
The Mets dominated in attacks (62-50) and digs (80-60). Both teams recorded three aces, while the Changas led in blocks (17-13), receptions (42-35), and assists (23-16).
The Section B quarterfinals between the Cangrejeras de Santurce and the Valencianas de Juncos will continue with their third match on Saturday, March 29, at 8:12 PM at the Roberto Clemente Coliseum. Santurce leads the series 2-0, and a victory would send them to the semifinals against the Atenienses de Manatí.
If necessary, a fourth match would be played at the Rafael G. Amalbert court in Juncos on Monday, March 31, at 8:30 PM.
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, March 28, 2025. – The NORCECA Marketing Commission met to discuss efforts aimed at strengthening the institution through the implementation of strategic plans designed to attract regional and local sponsorships.
This marks the third session of NORCECA’s working commissions, all of which have been held online.
The commission reaffirmed its commitment to developing and strengthening the local market at each event, with the goal of generating revenue for the Confederation and supporting local sponsorships.
In his opening remarks, NORCECA President Cristóbal Marte Hoffiz highlighted the Confederation’s commercial relationship with MIKASA, its main sponsor, “NORCECA and MIKASA Corporation established a historic, long-term partnership through which we have provided equipment and balls for volleyball and beach volleyball events. With this in mind, I want to emphasize that we can explore the possibility of establishing new regional sponsorships with medium-term contracts, thereby expanding the Confederation’s financial support and visibility”.
Marketing Commission President Carlos Beltrán led the discussions with a focus on the importance of self-management within the organization, “Our efforts must be more proactive and collective to create greater opportunities that attract sponsors. We need to establish clear terms and conditions for commercial agreements that will allow NORCECA and its members to take the next step in the development of volleyball in the region”.
Commission members shared their insights and proposals based on their experience, emphasizing the need for a solid Marketing Plan to serve as a guide for event organizers. Going forward, event organizers will be required to submit a marketing plan, ensuring that each event has defined strategies to attract sponsors and a larger audience.
Key elements of the strategic plan include identifying potential global sponsors through in-person negotiations and long-term public relations efforts. Sponsorship models based on “in-kind” contributions remain beneficial alliances for both brands and event organizers. Additionally, promotional strategies may be adapted according to the age group of the events.
Broadcasting through local and international television, as well as digital media, is vital for NORCECA’s growth, ensuring visibility for the sport, if good-quality production is guaranteed to appropriately project the organization’s image.
The Marketing Commission will seek to implement a support system and advance planning for countries hosting an event for the first time.
NORCECA continues to work on innovative strategies to strengthen its presence, ensuring that each event is successful both in terms of organization and impact on the sports community.
NORCECA’s commission meetings will continue with the Medical Commission.
LAUSANNE, Switzerland, March 27, 2025 – The President of the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB), Fabio Azevedo, joined in expressing condolences to the Arias Family following the passing of Ricardo Arias, the “Father of Dominican Volleyball,” who passed away recently in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
President Fabio Azevedo sent a warm felt letter addressed to the Family of Ricardo Arias on behalf of the FIVB in which he underlined that Ricardo Arias was more than a coach, he was a visionary, a mentor and a role model for many athletes.
“His passion and unwavering dedication to volleyball transformed the sport in Dominican Republic and beyond, and his influence reached far beyond the court. He helped to shape not only skilled athletes but also strong and confident individuals”.
Beyond his professional achievements, Ricardo was a cherished colleague and friend, whose kindness, knowledge and support was appreciated by many.
Azevedo’s words offer comfort to the Family of Ricardo Arias, “May you find comfort in knowing that he left an indelible mark which will be felt for generations to come, and that his spirit will continue to live on through our sport”.
President Fabio Azevedo and the FIVB send out heartfelt sympathies as they join not only his family, but his friends, his colleagues as well as the volleyball and sports communities in the Dominican Republic and beyond in celebrating his life and honouring his contributions to volleyball.
JUNCOS, Puerto Rico, March 27, 2025. – Defending champions Cangrejeras de Santurce are just one victory away from advancing to the semifinals of the Women’s Volleyball Superior League (LVSF) after defeating Valencianas de Juncos 3-0 (25-17, 25-20, 25-19) at the Rafael G. Amalbert court.
With a two-set lead, the Cangrejeras maintained control in the third. After the second technical timeout, a block against Emily Elliot put them ahead 19-15.
Juncos closed the gap to 18-19 thanks to an attack from Kelly Sánchez from zone four, but two errors by the home team allowed the Cangrejeras to regain a 21-18 lead, never looking back.
Santurce secured the set with two consecutive blocks, reaching 23-18. They earned match point at 24-18 after an off-target attack by Emily Elliot and sealed the victory at 25-19 with an attacking error from Hodge in zone four.
The statistics reflected Santurce’s dominance: 31-28 in attacks, 10-4 in blocks, 5-4 in aces, 52-47 in digs, and 12-11 in assists. Juncos had led in receptions (30-18).
On the offensive side, Andrea Rangel and Tamara Otene led the Cangrejeras with 14 and 11 points, respectively. For Juncos, only Emily Elliot reached double digits, scoring 11 points.
The next match in this Section B quarterfinal series will take place on Saturday, March 29, at the Roberto Clemente Coliseum, home of the Cangrejeras de Santurce, starting at 8:12 p.m.
In the other quarterfinal series, corresponding to Section A, the Mets de Guaynabo (1-0) will face the Changas de Naranjito (0-1) this Friday, March 28, at the legendary Gelito Ortega court at 8:00 p.m.
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, March 27, 2025. – The Technical, Statistics, and Volleyball Information Systems (VIS) Commission held a virtual meeting in preparation for an exciting 2025 filled with events and advancements in volleyball statistics.
The President of the Technical, Statistics, and VIS Commission, Judith Sandino, highlighted during the commission meeting the importance of maintaining the standard of work, strengthening the statistical area, and reaffirming the commitment to continuous improvement.
The meeting was key to consolidating the management of Volley Station Pro and enhancing work interconnection as growth opportunities for the VIS supervisors appointed to NORCECA competitions.
In addition to the Commission’s report, members discussed the reports presented by NORCECA’s Zonal Associations. Commission members Manuel Calderón and Claudia Rivera were responsible for the reports from the North and Central Zone (NCVA) and the Central America Zonal Association (AFECAVOL), respectively. Both highlighted the progress within their respective zones. NORCECA Vice President Mushtaque Mohammed presented the developments in the Caribbean Zonal Volleyball Association (CAZOVA), while Glenn Quinlan outlined the improvements and advancements made by the Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA).
Among the most significant achievements of the Commission was the collaborative work with the Refereeing Commission to integrate the electronic scoresheet and tablets used in events, ensuring proper correlation of information.
Discussions focused on ensuring VIS delegates actively engage alongside competition directors to certify that the personnel responsible for the electronic scoresheet records the information accurately and promptly, maintaining match control.
The constant updating of refereeing officials and the implementation of technological tools will facilitate match development.
A detailed manual will be established for managing the electronic scoresheet, including clear steps and criteria for individual awards. Additionally, practical clinics will be developed to test the systems and train the technical team in their use.
NORCECA has made the necessary efforts and measures to integrate VIS with Volley Station, aligning with FIVB standards, optimizing data collection and management, and improving the quality of statistical analysis. Although the transition to the new system has been challenging, significant progress has been made.
One of the key factors driving the VIS Commission is the continuous development and training of local personnel, contributing to the preparation of new delegates to strengthen the system in NORCECA’s zonal tournaments through enhanced technical support and technology.
The impact of statistics on the development of national teams is crucial, as they provide essential data on athletes’ performance.
As the meeting progressed, it evolved from a series of report presentations into a dynamic working session addressing specific issues related to the timely management of statistics.
Manuel Calderón presented a Zonal Development Plan focused on the standardization and strengthening of zonal associations. The goal is for each National Federation or Zonal Association to have VIS supervisors, reinforcing the statistical structure to ensure continuous growth.
With these advancements, the VIS Commission reaffirms its commitment to continuous improvement, the efficient use of technology, and the professionalization of volleyball in the region.
The next NORCECA Working Commission meeting will be led by the Marketing Commission.
GUAYNABO, Puerto Rico, March 27, 2025 .– The Mets de Guaynabo kicked off Section A of the Women’s Superior Volleyball League (LVSF) quarterfinals on the right foot by defeating the Changas de Naranjito 3-1 (25-19, 25-23, 20-25, 25-17).
Facing two sets down, the Changas managed to maintain a more solid passing game, allowing them to execute a fast attack from the wings and extend the match to a fourth set.
The top scorers for the Mets victory were Rebecca Latham, who tallied 28 points (25 in attacks, 2 blocks, and one ace); Paola Santiago with 20; Valeria Flores with 15; and Alejandra Argüello with 11.
Maria Clara Carvalhaes of Guaynabo
For Naranjito, which has yet to secure a win on the road this season, the best scorers were Adanna Rollins with 23 points, Génesis Collazo with 16, and Taylor Trammell with 11.
Guaynabo was superior in attacks (63-56), blocks (14-9), digs (96-89), and receptions (38-33). Naranjito led in aces (4-3) and assists (31-20).
Series A will continue next Friday at the legendary Gelito Ortega court in Naranjito, starting at 8:00 p.m.
In Section B, the quarterfinals will resume on Thursday, March 27, at the Rafael G. Amalbert court in Juncos, where the Valencianas will host the Cangrejeras de Santurce, who claimed victory in five sets in their first encounter.
March 26, 2025.- Mexico’s women’s volleyball team is moving forward with a new sense of purpose. The program is gaining better coaching, stronger training and more opportunities to grow through the support of FIVB Volleyball Empowerment. The goal was not only to improve results, but to also build a system where athletes feel supported and confident – an approach that is already making a difference on and off the court.
The women’s program is experiencing a shift driven by new ideas and renewed direction. The Empowerment initiative has provided the platform to introduce structural improvements, focused development plans and a stronger framework for long-term growth. What once felt fragmented is gradually being shaped into a clearer pathway for players and staff alike.
“For years our national women’s team has been nurtured by very talented young people who have trained from the youth categories at the national and international level,” said Mexican Volleyball Federation (FMVB) President Jesús Perales Navarro.
“We’ve always been known for having young and very brave teams across all categories. One of our biggest challenges was losing experienced players who had stood out at the professional level. But thanks to the excellent work of coach Nicola Negro, the national team – made up of very young girls playing in the NCAA – developed a new style of play and strong potential for the future.”
Mexico’s Key Achivements with Volleyball Empowerment
Since 2020, Mexico has received more than CHF 1 million in Empowerment support from FIVB, focused primarily on technical leadership. In 2023, the program delivered CHF 108,000 through application-based support and CHF 274,000 in targeted support. In 2025, the Empowerment support has entered its most significant phase yet, with CHF 320,000 allocated for a further 12 months of coaching support.
“For us as a country, this marked a turning point in Mexican volleyball,” Perales said. “It was a radical change from the start, as we had always relied on local coaches to lead our national teams. When Petry arrived, we began to see a new way of working – how we trained, how we prepared for competitions, and how we approached match analysis. Later, when Nicola and his team joined, this transformation grew stronger. The demands on the team increased, the players’ commitment to the national team deepened, and both the pace and quality of training improved. It created a new mindset and a stronger sense of belonging among our athletes.”
Perales said the arrival of experienced coaching and consistent support helped reshape the program.
“The Empowerment program has made a real difference, especially through coaches who adapted their training systems across all categories. The support, including materials and funding for experienced coaches, has transformed the national team,” he said. “This support has helped us build a stronger foundation, which we hope will shape our future senior team. We have young players with great potential and physical ability who will strengthen the team.”
“The work, discipline and clear objectives of each team member, all guided by coach Nicola Negro, helped our team reach a higher level with the support of the Empowerment program. We trained in better conditions, and this brought us closer to our coach’s system and style of play,” he added.
As the team prepares for the FIVB Women’s Volleyball World Championship, Perales said the program is focused on every detail.
“We have worked together with the technical team to prepare for the start of the season,” he said. “The physical trainer monitors each athlete’s progress daily, and we’re organising tournaments at home to help create the best possible conditions for the team before the World Championship. We’re also planning pre-camps and friendly matches.”
He said Negro’s tactical approach has brought a new rhythm and identity to the team.
“Nicola Negro gave another perspective to our game, taking advantage of and playing with the physical conditions that our team presents, adapting a faster game that makes it more complicated when playing against our country.”
Mexico’s results are already telling the story. Since 2021, the team has participated in three editions of the Women’s Pan American Cup, the NORCECA Senior Continental Championship and the Central American and Caribbean Games.
From 2023 onwards, their performances have stepped up. Mexico secured a silver medal at the U23 Pan American Cup in 2023, bronze at the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games, silver at the 2024 NORCECA Women’s Final Four and bronze at the 2024 NORCECA Women’s Final Six. Several players have earned places in tournament Dream Teams, including awards for best blocker, best attacker and notably best setter at the 2023 Pan American Games.
“It has had a major impact and is very important for our national team. The Mexican Olympic Committee (COM) and the National Commission for Physical Culture and Sport (CONADE) continue to support international events in our country because they recognize our team’s potential and what it can achieve,” said Perales.
“The support has given us the tools to evaluate the current state of our program, and from there, start building with stronger foundations,” he added. “We are now working to define roles and responsibilities within the program to build a stronger structure for the future. This has helped players feel more supported and confident. The change in direction is giving athletes a better environment to grow. It’s not just about training harder — it’s about training smarter, knowing our goals, and trusting that there’s a system behind them guiding the way.”
Athletes themselves recognize the shift.
“In my opinion, it had a big impact, and all for the better,” said Grecia Castro. “From the very beginning, when we were able to bring in a new staff, it had an impact because it gave us the chance to see volleyball in a different way than what we were used to. I’m preparing in the same way I always have – with consistency and a lot of sacrifices, staying focused and always trying to bring out the best version of myself. Because I feel that having learned so much has opened the door to new teams for me.”
“The FIVB Volleyball Empowerment support has helped us in the best way possible, as it gave us the opportunity to have a highly professional foreign coach, with a lot of experience, and we’ve seen quite a few changes since he joined the Mexican women’s national team,” captain Jocelyn Urias said.
“We’ve significantly improved our level. With the preparation for the World Championship, I feel we will be much better prepared than in previous years, as there have already been more Mexican players abroad, whether in universities or professionally, and that expands our level. Having the support and connections within our own staff members has helped many players who have been able to experience leaving the country and increasing their level.”
Mexico already has its eyes on the next challenges.
“The team is seeking to qualify and be on the podium in the following Central American and Caribbean Games in 2026,” said Perales. “The qualification for the second edition continues to the Pan American Games and we seek to reach the podium again, as well as the qualification for LA28.”
He said the wider impact of the program is already being felt. “It has grown considerably, as the young people of our country see our players as an example to follow. It has opened a great door for women of all ages, since in our country there is an immense number of teams in each city and this has increased the number of female teams in our maximum event, which is the Youth Festival. We have also been able to identify future talents for the national teams.”
“We are working on this to constantly improve our women’s team, seeking sponsorship and reviewing areas of opportunity to improve the teams,” he added.
“We appreciate this great support, and we are aware of how much this support has meant for the development of our national team in recent years. We are working on creating a professional league, which we know will create a great opportunity for future generations who have not yet managed to establish themselves in a team abroad. This will ensure that, by staying in constant competition, each athlete’s performance will continue to improve.”
With a renewed sense of clarity and purpose, the Mexican women’s team is transforming their game from within.
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, March 25, 2025. – The Cangrejeras de Santurce claimed victory in the opening match of Section B in the Women’s Volleyball Superior League (LVSF) quarterfinals, defeating the Valencianas de Juncos 3-2 (29-27, 22-25, 26-24, 19-25, 15-12) at home in the Roberto Clemente Coliseum.
The Cangrejeras showcased resilience and skill in a match defined by intensity and strategic play.
The offensive leadership of players like Tamara Otene and Andrea Rangel proved crucial, especially in the final points of each set. Meanwhile, Juncos demonstrated strong blocking but failed to maintain key leads, allowing Santurce to capitalize on opportunities and take control of the game.
Santurce’s offense was led by Tamara Otene with 25 points, Andrea Rangel with 20, Kara McGhee with 17, and Helena Grozer with 16.
For the Valencianas, Jaylen Hodge recorded 30 points, followed by Emily Elliott with 22, Kelly Sánchez with 14, and Adriana Rodríguez with 10.
Santurce outperformed Juncos in attacks (73-68), aces (6-5), digs (94-86), receptions (57-51), and assists (22-16). The Valencianas led in blocking (12-5).
The quarterfinal series will be played in a best-of-five format, with the first team to secure three victories advancing to the semifinals.
Quarterfinal action continues with Section A as the Mets de Guaynabo take on the Changas de Naranjito on Wednesday, March 26, at the Mario “Quijote” Morales Coliseum at 8:00 p.m.
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, March 26, 2025 .– The Press Commission inaugurated the virtual meetings of NORCECA’s Working Commissions, which will run until April 5.
Members of NORCECA’s Executive Committee, led by NORCECA President Cristóbal Marte Hoffiz, had the opportunity to review the communication efforts carried out in 2024 and discuss future challenges in the field.
Press Comission
The meeting featured a presentation by Commission President Carolina Rivas, who provided an overview of communication-related activities. Yinet Cruz, NORCECA’s Community Manager, highlighted the exciting growth of the Confederation’s social media accounts. Additionally, Volleyball Canada’s Director of Communications, Jackie Skender, explained the key responsibilities of Press Delegates and Photographers during events, ensuring timely updates to NORCECA’s website and social media platforms.
Carolina Rivas emphasized that “our primary goal is to effectively manage and coordinate media coverage, ensuring a broad and positive representation of the Confederation. This includes producing press releases, managing media relations, overseeing digital communication strategies, and supporting the promotion of key events and initiatives”.
Members discussed ongoing efforts to establish strong relationships with media outlets, journalists, and digital platforms to maximize the reach and engagement of volleyball audiences across the region.
NORCECA’s commission meetings will continue with the Technical, Statistics and Volleyball Information System (VIS) Commission.
YUCATÁN, México, March 23, 2025.- USA’s Devon Newberry and Jaden Whitmarsh won the bronze medal at the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Yucatan Challenge that took place in Puerto Progreso from March 19-23.
Devon Newberry and Jaden Whitmarsh, in three Beach Pro Tour appearances as a team, the 24-year-old Americans have already collected three medals. In December, they took bronze at the Pompano Beach Futures and, earlier this month, they topped the podium at the Mount Maunganui Futures. The event in Yucatan was the duo’s first Challenge tournament. They started from the qualifiers and were seeded 31st in the 32-team main draw. After winning seven of their nine matches in Puerto Progreso, Newberry & Whitmarsh earned the bronze medal.
The all-American third-place match between Newberry & Whitmarsh and 12th-seeded Teegan Van Gunst & Kimberly Hildreth was resolved deep in the overtime of the tie-breaker. In the first set, Van Gunst & Hildreth came back from a four-point opponent lead to win it by a four-point margin. Newberry & Whitmarsh dominated the second set to level the match. The lead in the tie-breaker went back and forth a few times and the set was pushed way beyond the 15th point. After denying two opponent match points and failing to convert three of their own, Newberry & Whitmarsh finally closed it off at 2-1 (17-21, 21-15, 20-18). Newberry and Van Gunst shared the top scorer honors of the match with 23 points each.
Italy’s Valentina Gottardi & Claudia Scampoli won the gold medal in their first Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour appearance as a team beating Tanja Huberli and Leona Kernen of Switzerland, who also made their Beach Pro Tour debut as a team, 2-0 (21-17, 21-15).
WOMEN: 3. Newberry / Whitmarsh USA 4. Kim Hildreth/Teegan Van Gunst USA 8. Toni/DeBerg USA 14. Torres/ Gutierrez MEX 15. Anderson/Bauer USA 16. Scoles/Denaburg USA 24. Shields/Hodel USA 29. Vidaurrazaga /Ramirez MEX 30. Harward/Phillips USA 31. Quiggle/Loreen USA 32. Savvy/Van Winkle USA 40. Kan/Sours USA 41. Ozee/Glagau CAN 42. Roskic/Corah CAN 49. Poppinga/Lindstrom USA 50. Slabakova/Griffin USA
MEN: 6. Diaz/Alayo CUB 16. Evans/Budinger USA 19. Schachter/Pickett CAN 24. Schalk/Shaw USA 31. Bourne/Cory USA 32. Brewster/Ierna USA 39. Crabb Tr./Caldwell USA 40. Hoppe/Bradford USA 46. D. Dyner/Varela CRC 51. Lares/Carlos Andres MEX 55. Kwekel/Drost USA 56. Smith/Webber USA
COSTA NAVARINO, Greece March 21, 2025.- Dr Ary S. Graça F°, Volleyball Foundation President and FIVB Honorary Life President, received the highest honor of the Olympic Movement, the Olympic Order, during the 144th IOC Session in Costa Navarino, Greece.
The Olympic Order is the highest distinction awarded by the IOC, to recognize people who have performed remarkable services for the Olympic Movement. Notable past recipients include French President Emmanuel Macron, Pope Francis and Nelson Mandela, to name just a few, alongside numerous heads of state, royalty, athletes and distinguished figures.
IOC President Thomas Bach said:
“Throughout his long and distinguished career in sport, Ary Graça has been a true pioneer. Redefining volleyball. Championing innovation. Expanding the global reach of volleyball. And thereby also spreading our shared Olympic values to ever more people around the world. Your presidency of the International Volleyball Federation has been nothing short of transformative. Some may even say revolutionary.
“Over the past 12 years, you have led the volleyball community into a new era of progress and global expansion. Under your leadership, the sport has flourished, growing in popularity and accessibility across all continents.
“Through the FIVB Foundation, you have brought volleyball to communities worldwide, giving thousands of young people the chance to play, to dream and to build a better future. The record-breaking volleyball festival in India with 40,000 children participating is just one of many shining examples of your belief in the power of sport to inspire and unite. Your leadership in volleyball is part of a much larger legacy.”
During his acceptance speech, Volleyball Foundation President Dr Ary S. Graça F° stated:
“I am deeply honored and humbled to receive the prestigious Olympic Order. My goal has always been to showcase the incredible power of our sport. Today, I continue this mission as president of the FIVB Volleyball Foundation.
“Under the leadership of the IOC, all of us in the Olympic Movement strive to build a more peaceful and better world through sport. Through the Volleyball Foundation, we have provided opportunities to people around the globe through our sport. We have broken barriers and given hope to communities in need. We have seen first-hand how volleyball can positively shape lives, foster inclusivity and help overcome differences in a world divided by conflict.
“It has been the greatest honor of my life to create opportunities through volleyball, and receiving the Olympic Order only deepens my passion to continue this work.”
Leading the FIVB from 2012 to 2024, Dr Graça oversaw a period of remarkable progress, with innovation and opportunity as the key pillars of his mandate.
Now at the helm of the Volleyball Foundation, he remains dedicated to empowering communities worldwide through volleyball, using the sport to inspire, connect, and serve societies globally.
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, March 19, 2025. – The president of the North, Central America, and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation (NORCECA) and first vice president of the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB), Cristóbal Marte Hoffiz, expressed his sorrow this Wednesday over the passing of sports immortal Ricardo “Gioriver” Arias, whom he described as one of the great “Icons of Dominican Volleyball.”
Marte Hoffiz stated that volleyball in the region has lost a true enthusiast of the sport since his youth, the founder of Club Mirador, and a genuine “talent scout” for players who, after being trained at Mirador, went on to join the National Team.
“We want to express our condolences to Gioriver’s entire family, to Doña Mayo Sibilia, his children, and relatives. We have lost the father of volleyball, and we already know that he is by the Lord’s side,” he said.
He emphasized that every player of the “Caribbean Queens” from the 1990s to the present passed through the hands of Ricardo Arias. “His love and dedication to the women’s national team, in all its categories, were priceless,” he added.
Gioriver was born on February 7, 1940, and discovered his passion for volleyball at the age of 14 while studying at the Argentina High School. He later played in the senior categories with the San Carlos and Villa Francisca (Centro Social Obrero) clubs.
Twenty years later, in 1961, he pursued a career as a physical education teacher and began sharing his knowledge at Juan Bautista Safra School in Los Mina and at the United States of America High School. In 1966, he moved to Manuel Rodríguez Objío High School, where he dedicated to teaching for 35 uninterrupted years, until 1996.
Earlier, in 1972, he became an international volleyball referee and officiated two years later at the 12th Central American and Caribbean Games, Santo Domingo 1974.
He had a combined career as a coach, leading the women’s national team at the 1970 Central American Games. Four years later, he served as the head coach of the men’s national team at the Volleyball World Championship and also led the women’s junior national team at the NORCECA 1992 tournament in Santo Domingo, NORCECA 1993 in Colorado Springs, and the senior team at the 1993 Central American and Caribbean Games in Ponce, Puerto Rico.
Arias founded the most successful institution in Dominican women’s volleyball, Club Mirador, on July 14, 1970, along with his wife, Mayo Sibilia, journalist Bienvenido Rojas, and Francisco Antonio Santos Saviñón, who was the organization’s first president.
Gioriver Arias’ contributions to Dominican volleyball have been recognized at the highest levels. More than 80 percent of the players who have been part of the national teams at different stages, youth, junior, and senior categories, have passed through his hands and his club.
Arias and his wife, Mayo Sibilia, made personal sacrifices, offering their home as a sports residence and using their personal vehicle to transport and support young athletes from disadvantaged backgrounds across the country.
Gioriver played key roles at every level of volleyball, as a player, referee, coach, associate director, federation leader, technical delegate for various national teams and categories, member of NORCECA’s Coaches Commission, and as Club Mirador’s head coach at the Club World Championships.
GUAYNABO, Puerto Rico, March 18, 2025. – The Mets de Guaynabo secured fourth place in the Women’s Volleyball Superior League (LVSF) after defeating the Valencianas de Juncos, setting up a quarterfinal matchup against the Changas de Naranjito.
The Mets claimed a dramatic 3-2 (23-25, 25-19, 25-23, 23-25, 15-10) victory over the Valencianas at the Mario “Quijote” Morales Coliseum.
Guaynabo outperformed Juncos in attacks (62-58), service aces (5-3), and digs (84-69). Juncos, on the other hand, led in blocks (14-13), receptions (58-50), and assists (14-12).
The Mets’ offense was led by Rebecca Latham, Paola Santiago, and Valeria Flores, who scored 28, 20, and 19 points, respectively.
Despite the loss, Juncos earned one point and finished with a 5-14 record and 15 points. Their top offensive player was Jaylen Hodge, who scored 32 points: 27 in attacks, four in blocks, and one service ace.
Quarterfinal Matchups Set
The teams ranked 3rd to 6th in the regular season have advanced to the quarterfinals, divided into two sections:
Section A: Mets de Guaynabo (4th) vs. Changas de Naranjito (5th)
Section B: Cangrejeras de Santurce (3rd) vs. Valencianas de Juncos (6th)
The Criollas de Caguas (1st) and Atenienses de Manatí (2nd) have a bye to the semifinals.
The quarterfinal series will be played in a best-of-five format, with the first team winning three matches advancing to the semifinals.
The LVSF regular season will conclude on Saturday, March 22.
March 17, 2025.- The FIVB and Hellenic Volleyball Federation (HVBF) met to discuss the promising road ahead for volleyball and beach volleyball in Greece, focusing on development plans and strategic initiatives for the sport in the region.
The HVBF delegation was represented by President George Karampetsos, Secretary General Mrs Chroni Efi, Treasure Mr Veroutis John, Board Member Mr Nektarios Chalvatzis, Executive Director Mr Periklis Bakodimos and Director Mr Nikos Sofianos.
Key topics centred on the sport’s growth in Greece, with the FIVB delegation – consisting of President Fabio Azevedo, Secretary General Hugh McCutcheon and Head of International Affairs and Communications Anna Manuelian – presenting the FIVB Strategic Vision 2032 under the motto “Together as One”.
In addition, the FIVB delegation had the opportunity to visit the HVBF Headquarters to see the facilities and meet with various staff members.
The meeting also reviewed the impact of the FIVB Volleyball Empowerment programme, through which the FIVB has invested CHF 402,000 in 11 projects in Greece, covering both coach and volleyball equipment support. In particular, the Greece men’s national team and the women’s and men’s national beach volleyball teams have received support through Volleyball Empowerment.
As part of several volleyball equipment support projects, two Gerflor Taraflex courts have been, one of which was co-funded with the CEV to equip National Federations hosting Age Group European Championships with top-tier flooring – Gerflor Taraflex Performance (9mm, 693m², three-color).
It is an exciting year for Greek volleyball, as the women’s national volleyball team has qualified for the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship for the first time in 22 years, marking a significant achievement for the sport in Greece.
CAGUAS, Puerto Rico, March 16, 2025. – The Women’s Superior Volleyball League (LVSF) now has two teams directly qualified for the semifinals following Saturday night’s results.
At the Roger Mendoza Court in Caguas, the Criollas made a comeback against the Mets de Guaynabo, pushing the match to an exciting fifth set, which secured their first-place finish in the standings. Caguas had already guaranteed its direct spot in the semifinals.
With the victory, the Criollas earned two points, solidifying their record at 14-5 and reaching 42 points in the standings. The win was sealed 3-2 (21-25, 25-20, 14-25, 25-17, 15-13).
Kristin Lux led the Criollas with 16 points (13 attacks and 3 blocks), followed by Paulina Pérez with 13 points and Alba Hernández with 11.
For Guaynabo, Valeria Flores led with 23 points on offense. Despite the loss, Guaynabo earned one point, holding an 8-11 record and 23 points in fourth place.
Statistically, Caguas outperformed Guaynabo in blocks (13-8) and assists (26-21), while the Mets dominated in attacks (70-52), aces (7-3), digs (108-83), and passes (48-35).
Atenienses Sweep Cangrejeras
At the Roberto Clemente Coliseum, the Atenienses de Manatí defeated the Cangrejeras de Santurce in straight sets (25-21, 25-20, 25-23).
This victory granted Manatí three points, securing second place in the standings with a 12-7 record and 38 points, thus earning a direct spot in the semifinals. Santurce, on the other hand, did not add any points and remains in third place with a 10-8 record and 30 points.
Karla Santos was the key player for the Atenienses with 20 points, followed by Dariana Hollingsworth, who contributed 12. On the Cangrejeras’ side, Tamara Otene led with 15 points.
Valencianas Dominate Changas
The Valencianas de Juncos secured a 3-0 victory (25-15, 25-22, 25-23) on the road against the Changas de Naranjito at the legendary Gelito Ortega Court.
Jaylen Hodge stood out as the top scorer of the match with 23 points for the Valencianas, while Emily Elliot added 19. For the home team, Aury Cruz contributed 10 points.
With this result, Juncos improved its record to 5-13 and accumulated 14 points in the standings, while Naranjito, in fifth place, now holds a 7-12 record and 21 points.
March 14, 2025.- The future of volleyball in Spain is looking bright as key stakeholders from the FIVB and the Real Federación Española de Voleibol (RFEVB) came together to discuss exciting plans for the sport’s development in the region.
The Spanish delegation was represented by Felipe Pascual (President), Javer Garcia (Vice-President), and Luis Muchaga (Former Technical Director), who expressed their enthusiasm for collaborative efforts with the FIVB.
The meeting covered a range of topics aimed at strengthening the growth and visibility of volleyball in Spain. Central to the discussions was the presentation of the RFEVB’s new strategic vision, as well as exciting plans to elevate the sport at both national and international levels. The FIVB delegation, led by President Fabio Azevedo, also outlined the FIVB Strategic Vision 2032, which is driven by the motto “Together as One.”
A key highlight was the review of the FIVB Volleyball Empowerment program’s impact in Spain. To date, the FIVB has invested CHF 324,000 across six projects, primarily focused on providing coach support to help develop the country’s national teams.
Additionally, the two organizations discussed the many successful volleyball events in the region and explored plans for hosting future FIVB events in Spain.
Spain’s national women’s team was another source of pride during the talks. The team recently secured their spot at the 2025 Women’s Volleyball World Championship in Thailand – an achievement that demonstrates the progress made in ensuring volleyball’s development across the country.
CAGUAS, Puerto Rico, March 14, 2025. – In an intense Thursday night of action in the Women’s Volleyball Superior League (LVSF), the Cangrejeras de Santurce, Atenienses de Manatí, and Mets de Guaynabo secured crucial victories in their respective matchups.
This week, the final stretch of the regular season, promises to be electrifying as the Cangrejeras and Atenienses fiercely battle for a direct semifinal berth.
Cangrejeras and Criollas in an Epic Showdown
At the iconic Roger Mendoza court, the Cangrejeras de Santurce allowed little room for the already-qualified Criollas de Caguas, claiming a four-set victory (25-21, 21-25, 25-16, 25-23) and securing all three points at stake.
Santurce’s superiority was evident in attack, leading 67-48 in kills, and in aces, with a 6-3 advantage. They also dominated in digs (76-64), receptions (35-31), and assists (22-19). However, Caguas had the edge in blocks, outscoring Santurce 9-7.
The Cangrejeras’ offense was commanded by Tamara Otene, Andrea Rangel, Helena Grozer, and Kara McGhee, who scored 23, 19, 17, and 15 points, respectively. For Caguas, Kristin Lux stood out with 13 points, while Diana Reyes and Paulina Pérez contributed 10 each.
With this victory, Santurce improved to a 10-7 record and 30 points, securing third place. Meanwhile, Caguas remains atop the standings with a 13-5 record and 40 points.
Cangrejeras block
Atenienses Claim Three Points Against Valencianas
At the Rafael G. Amalbert Coliseum in Juncos, the Atenienses de Manatí edged closer to the top spot held by the Criollas after sweeping the Valencianas (25-15, 29-27, 25-21), earning three crucial points and improving their record to 11-7 with 35 points.
Manatí did not have any players reaching double digits in scoring, with Dariana Hollingsworth, Kjersti Strong, and Karla Santos each tallying nine points. For Juncos, Jaylen Hodge was the standout performer with 24 points.
Juncos remains in last place with a 4-13 record and 11 points.
Mets Defeat Changas at the Quijote
The Mets de Guaynabo secured a hard-fought 3-1 victory (25-19, 25-19, 12-25, 25-23) at home in the Mario “Quijote” Morales Coliseum against the Changas de Naranjito.
Rebecca Latham led Guaynabo’s offense with a stellar 24-point performance, followed by Valeria Flores, who added 17 points.
For Naranjito, Génesis Collazo was the top scorer with 19 points, while Aury Cruz, Adanna Rollins, and Taylor Trammell contributed 17, 16, and 10 points, respectively.
With this victory, Guaynabo climbs to fourth place with an 8-10 record and 22 points, while Changas drop to fifth place with a 7-11 record and 21 points.
A Decisive Weekend Ahead
LVSF action continues Saturday with three thrilling matchups.
The Atenienses de Manatí will visit the Cangrejeras de Santurce in a showdown that could determine second place or bring Santurce closer to securing the desired spot. The match is scheduled for 8:12 p.m.
Meanwhile, the Criollas de Caguas, needing just one point to clinch first place, will host the Mets de Guaynabo. Additionally, the Valencianas de Juncos will travel to the legendary Gelito Ortega court to take on the Changas de Naranjito. Both matches are set to begin at 8:00 p.m.
GUAYNABO, Puerto Rico, March 12, 2025. – The Mets de Guaynabo and the Criollas de Caguas delivered a thrilling showdown for their fans at the Mario “Quijote” Morales Coliseum, with Caguas securing a 3-1 victory (28-26, 27-25, 21-25, 28-26). This win makes them the first team to qualify directly for the semifinals of the Women’s Volleyball Superior League (LVSF).
Caguas earned three points, improving their record to 13-4 with a total of 40 accumulated points.
The Atenienses de Manatí (10-7, 32 points) and the Cangrejeras de Santurce (9-7, 27 points) will battle for second place, which grants another direct spot in the semifinals.
Caguas had the edge in attacks (64-63) and blocks (14-9), while the Mets dominated in aces (7-2), digs (86-82), and receptions (46-41). Both teams finished with 24 assists.
The Criollas’ offense was led by Stephanie Enright with 24 points, including 20 kills, 2 blocks, and 2 aces. Kristin Lux followed with 19 points, and Sofía Victoriá added 18.
For Guaynabo, Rebecca Latham scored an impressive 37 points, with 33 kills, 1 block, and 3 aces.
With this victory, the Criollas now lead the head-to-head series against the Mets 2-1.
Newly signed Paola Santiago, who recently played in Turkey, did not see action in the match.
The Women’s Volleyball Superior League continues this Thursday, March 13, with three matches:
Santurce visits Caguas at 8:00 p.m.
The Mets de Guaynabo host the Changas de Naranjito at 8:00 p.m.
The Atenienses de Manatí travel to the Rafael G. Amalbert court to face the Valencianas de Juncos at 8:30 p.m.
March 11, 2025.- With 32 teams vying for the prestigious world champions title, the tournament will feature 64 thrilling matches over 14 competition days, hosted across four iconic cities: Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai and Nakhon Ratchasima.
The tournament will commence on August 22 with an exciting pair of opening matches at 16:00 local time (09:00 UTC). Czechia meets Argentina in Pool D while Puerto Rico faces France in Pool C. An hour later, action in Pools A and B will begin with the Netherlands meeting Sweden and Belgium competing against Cuba.
Reigning Volleyball Nations League 2024 champions and Paris 2024 Olympic gold medalists Italy will open their Pool B campaign against Slovakia in Phuket at 20:30 (13:30 UTC)
Host nation Thailand will wrap up a historic opening day, meeting Pool A opponent Egypt in front of a passionate home crowd also at 20:30 local time, but in Bangkok. Thailand, known for their fast-paced and energetic style of play, will be looking to capitalize on home-court advantage and deliver strong performances in front of their fans.
Defending world champions Serbia, aiming for a third consecutive title, will instead begin their campaign in Pool H against Ukraine on August 23 at 20:30 (13:30 UTC).
Competition in the first phase will see each pool play on alternate days, with Pools A, B, C, and D competing on August 22, 24, and 26, while Pools E, F, G, and H take the court on August 23, 25, and 27.
Following the conclusion of the pool stage, the top two teams from each of the eight pools will advance to the knockout phase, starting with the Round of 16 from August 29 to September 1. The Quarter-Finals will be held on September 3 and 4, followed by the Semi-Finals on September 6. The tournament will culminate on September 7 with the bronze medal match at 15:30 (08:30 UTC), leading into the final gold medal match at 19:30 (12:30 UTC) in Bangkok, where the next world champions will be crowned.
As the host nation, Thailand is set to provide a vibrant and unforgettable experience for players and fans alike. With top-tier volleyball action and an electric atmosphere, the FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship 2025 – the first-ever to be held in Southeast Asia – promises to be a landmark edition of the sport’s premier event.
Watch the FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship 2025 live on VBTV.
LAUSANNE, Switzerland, March 9, 2025.- The FIVB and the City of Lausanne leadership met at the City Hall in Lausanne, Switzerland to discuss their shared vision for the role of sport in the development of society.
During the discussions, both organizations explored exciting opportunities for future collaboration, strengthening their long standing relationship. The FIVB has been headquartered in Lausanne since 1984 and maintains strong ties with the city’s leadership.
Azebedo and Lausanne City Officials
FIVB President Fabio Azevedo led the FIVB team during the meeting with Grégoire Junod, Mayor of Lausanne and the Head of the Department of Arts and Urban Development. Also present at the meeting were Émilie Moeschler, Municipal Councilor and Director of Sports and Social Cohesion (SCS), Myriam Pasche, Head of the Sports Department, and Sébastien Griesmar, Director of the Lausanne Olympic Capital Foundation.
At the beginning of the discussions, the FIVB President outlined the FIVB Strategic Vision 2032, which is founded on the key pillars of professionalism, integration, empowerment and mass participation, under the motto “Together as One”.
Both parties then shared their vision for sport as a vehicle for community development and a promotion for healthier living, whilst exploring opportunities for future collaboration to benefit the population of Lausanne and beyond.
LAUSANNE, Switzerland, March 9, 2025.- FIVB President Fabio Azevedo and the FIVB team met with Bourdanne Bello, the President of the Cameroon National Federation (NF) and the Zonal President of the African Volleyball Confederation’s (CAVB) Zone IV. The meeting saw discussions on key opportunities for volleyball’s development in both Cameroon and the wider region.
A key topic of discussion was support for Cameroon’s national teams, following the Cameroon women’s team’s successful qualification for the FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship in Thailand in August/September 2025. The meeting also covered ongoing and future support provided through the FIVB Volleyball Empowerment programme, to both Cameroon and the wider Zone IV region of the African Volleyball Confederation (CAVB).
To date, the FIVB has contributed CHF 618,000 across 57 projects in eight countries to Zone IV, as well as CHF 208,000 across 16 projects in Cameroon, through the Volleyball Empowerment programme. This funding has aimed to enhance coach development and overall volleyball infrastructure in the regions.
Puerto Rico, March 9, 2025. – The results from Sunday night in the Women’s Superior Volleyball League (LVSF) are starting to highlight just how tight the battle for the top two spots will be, as these teams will advance directly to the semifinals.
At the Juan Aubín Cruz Coliseum, the Atenienses added three more points after defeating the Mets de Guaynabo 3-1 (18-25, 25-19, 25-15, 25-16), closing in on the tournament leaders, the Criollas de Caguas, who lost to the Changas de Naranjito without earning any points.
The Atenienses now hold a 10-7 record with 32 accumulated points, just five behind Caguas. Manatí won two matches this week, both in four sets.
Manatí’s offense was evenly distributed among Dariana Hollingsworth with 19 points (14 attacks and 5 blocks), Ariana Pagán with 15, Karla Santos with 13, and Tristin Savage with 11.
The Atenienses outperformed the Mets in attacks (51 to 43), blocks (13 to 8), digs (82 to 71), receptions (38 to 30), and assists (29 to 13). Both teams recorded four service aces.
For Guaynabo (7-9, 19 points), now in fifth place, Rebecca Latham led with 23 points.
Santurce Closes the Week with Three Consecutive Wins
The Cangrejeras de Santurce dominated the Valencianas de Juncos 3-1 (25-18, 23-25, 25-17, 25-19) at the Rafael G. Amalbert court, improving their record to 9-7 with 27 points, securing third place with four matches left in the regular season.
Santurce’s top scorer was Tamara Otene with 21 points (20 attacks and 1 block), while Andrea Rangel and Kara McGhee each contributed 14 points, and Neira Ortiz added 10.
Santurce outperformed Juncos in attacks (48 to 44), blocks (17 to 8), and digs (70 to 57). The Valencianas led in service aces (5 to 3) and receptions (34 to 28). Both teams finished with 10 assists.
For Juncos (4-12, 11 points), the top scorers were Jaylen Hodge with 17 points, Emily Elliot with 13, and Adriana Rodríguez with 10.
The Cangrejeras had a perfect week, securing wins against Guaynabo, Naranjito, and Juncos.
Changas Defeat Criollas Again
The Changas de Naranjito once again defeated the Criollas de Caguas in their legendary home court, this time 3-1 (28-26, 25-20, 18-25, 29-27). The head-to-head series between both teams ended in a 2-2 tie.
With the victory, the Changas moved up to fourth place with a 7-10 record and 21 points, while the Criollas failed to add points this week, finishing with a 1-2 record, standing at 12-4 with 37 total points.
Caguas remains the tournament leader.
All of Naranjito’s wins were at home.
Andrea Serra, Aury Cruz, and Génesis Collazo led Naranjito’s offense with 19, 16, and 14 points, respectively.
For Caguas, Stephanie Enright led with 21 points, followed by 11 points from Kristin Lux and Diana Reyes, along with 10 from Alba Hernández.
Naranjito was superior in digs (103 to 88), receptions (55 to 38), and assists (28 to 26), while Caguas dominated in attacks (58 to 51) and blocks (13 to 10). Both teams recorded six service aces.
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