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).
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 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 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)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
MEXICO CITY, Mexico, February 17, 2025. – The National Commission for Physical Culture and Sport (CONADE) announced in a press conference the organization of two stages of the Beach Pro Tour 2025 in Mexico.
The event featured the participation of FMVB President Jesús Perales Navarro, elite beach volleyball athletes Atenas Gutiérrez, Susana Torres, Miguel Sarabia, and Jorman Osuna, as well as the governors of Yucatán, Joaquín Díaz Mena, and Quintana Roo, Mara Lezama Espinosa.
Atenas Gutiérrez, Susana Torres, Jesús Perales, Miguel Sarabia, Jorman Osuna
During the conference, Jesús Perales Navarro emphasized the Federation’s commitment to promoting beach volleyball in Mexico, expressing gratitude for CONADE’s continued support in organizing international-level events. He also highlighted the trust placed in coaches and athletes as they embark on a new cycle with the goal of qualifying for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
Meanwhile, CONADE Director Rommel Pacheco highlighted the importance of these competitions for the country’s economic development, as well as the valuable competitive experience they provide for Mexican players facing international rivals. He also emphasized that these events serve as inspiration for future generations, thanks to the exposure and backing provided by CONADE and state governments.
The Beach Pro Tour Stages in Mexico:
Beach Pro Tour Challenge Yucatán 2025, from March 19-23 in Playa Puerto Progreso, Yucatán
Beach Pro Tour Elite 16 Playa del Carmen 2025, from March 26-30 in the Temporary Stadium in front of Portal Maya, Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo
These tournaments will bring together the world’s top beach volleyball teams, further establishing Mexico as a key destination on the international circuit.
The FMVB encourages fans to closely follow these competitions and support Mexican athletes on their journey to Los Angeles 2028.
ASUNCIÓN, Paraguay, February 10, 2025.- Two wildcats have been chosen to represent the energy, passion, and spirit of perseverance of the more than 4,000 athletes who will take part in the most important youth sports celebration on the continent.
The unveiling ceremony was attended by the President of the Republic of Paraguay, Santiago Peña.
A new era has begun! On February 10, at the iconic Port of Asunción, the official presentation of the mascots for the Junior Pan American Games ASU2025 took place.
The event was filled with excitement and was attended by the country’s top authorities, including the President of Paraguay, Santiago Peña; Minister of Sports, César Ramírez Caje; President of the Paraguayan Olympic Committee and IOC member, Camilo Pérez López Moreira; General Director of ASU2025, Victor Pecci; Deputy General Director of ASU2025, Larissa Schaerer; national athletes, members of the press, influencers, and the stars of the night, the official mascots.
“Today, we take another step toward the Games that will be a milestone for our country. Tito and Tika embody the energy, passion, and spirit of perseverance of our athletes. We hope that people will feel represented by them and welcome them with open arms”, said Camilo Pérez López Moreira, President of the Olympic Committee and IOC member.
The official mascot is the soul of every Games, representing the essence, culture, and history of the host city. It serves as a cultural ambassador, bringing together the country’s residents, athletes, delegations, volunteers, and everyone who chooses to be part of the event. That’s why each edition introduces a unique mascot that aims to leave a lasting legacy.
“The official mascots connect us with our essence, our wildlife, and the fighting spirit of every athlete coming to ASU2025”, expressed Larissa Schaerer, Deputy General Director of ASU2025.
Tirika, the beloved mascot of the 2022 Odesur Games and the current official representative of Team Paraguay, went on a scouting mission across the country in search of new talent for ASU2025. After countless adventures, a few stumbles, and a nostalgic journey back to Chaco, he found the perfect candidates: Tito and Tika, two wildcats with an unmistakable spark and attitude that only he could recognize.
His sharp feline instincts left no room for doubt, they were the chosen ones. These two are not only full of energy but also fully committed, eager to have a great time, and with hearts already beating for the Games.
Tito and Tika, the ASU2025 rookies, are the yin and yang
Tito loves to have fun, but at the same time, he keeps an eye on everything. If something isn’t right or if he sees Tika about to get into trouble, he’s there, taking charge and making sure their mischief doesn’t get out of hand. He is responsible, careful, and knows how to restore order when things get a little chaotic.
Tika, on the other hand, doesn’t worry too much about limits. She has that mischievous spark that leads her to do unpredictable yet fun things, keeping everyone on their toes and wondering what she’ll come up with next.
Both share the same physical abilities, they can practice all sports, are agile, know how to dance, and enjoy social media.
The Smallest Feline of the Chaco
The official mascots embody a mix of cleverness, adventure, and mischief, inspired by a characteristic animal of the Paraguayan Chaco: The Leopardus guttulus, or wildcat, commonly known as the tiríka. This small feline inhabits jungles, tropical and subtropical forests, ranging from sea level up to 4,500 meters in altitude.
Its distribution is limited to the central and eastern regions of the Neotropics in South America, covering countries such as Paraguay, Brazil, Bolivia, and Argentina. The tiríka is a solitary and nocturnal animal but also shows a significant amount of activity during the day.
There are three species of this feline: Leopardus geoffroyi (the species chosen for the Junior Pan American Games mascots), Leopardus guttulus, and Leopardus wiedii. Unfortunately, the latter two species are endangered due to illegal capture for the fur trade.
Road to ASU2025
With the unveiling of its Official Mascots, ASU2025 solidifies itself as an event that goes beyond sports. The countdown has begun, and each day brings us closer to the continent’s biggest youth sports gathering.
ASU2025 is already in motion. From August 9 to 23, more than 4,000 athletes from across the continent will compete in 28 sports and 42 disciplines. But before the official opening, we will feel the pulse of the Games month by month, unveiling key elements of this major sporting event.
JANUARY 16, 2024 .- Volleyball Canada announced its 2025 roster of beach National Team athletes following the annual induction camp, held earlier this month at the Downsview training centre in Toronto.
Five out of the six 2024 Olympians are returning: On the senior women’s side, silver medalists Brandie Wilkerson and Melissa Humana-Paredes, both of Toronto, Ontario, join fellow Paris 2024 athletes Heather Bansley (Waterdown, Ont.) and Sophie Bukovec (Toronto).
The senior athletes compete for points and prize money on Volleyball World’s Beach Pro Tour.
Two-time Olympian (2024, 2016) Sam Schachter headlines the men’s team. He is joined by Tynan Gannett, Luke de Greeff, Martin Licht, Steven Abrams, Jonny Pickett and Guillaume Rivest.
Rivest, Pickett and Licht were previously part of Volleyball Canada’s summer beach team. Pickett and Licht are also affiliated with RBC Training Ground’s “Future Olympians” program.
The women’s NextGen team consists of Lea Monkhouse, Marie-Alex Belanger, Amy Ozee and newcomer Emily Anderson.
The Canadian Next Gen teams have had recent podium success on the NORCECA Tour.
“This year’s roster features an exciting blend of veteran talent and emerging stars,” said Kerry MacDonald, Volleyball Canada’s Chief Sport Officer. “Building on the incredible achievements of Brandie and Mel in Paris, along with the strong performances of our Next Gen teams to close out 2024, 2025 is shaping up to be a remarkable year for Canadian beach volleyball.”
Note: Summer athletes are announced at a later date.
Next Gen (female) Lea Monkhouse (Ontario) Amy Ozee (Hawaii, USA) Marie-Alex Belanger (Quebec) Emily Anderson (Nevada, USA)
Next Gen (male) Sam Schachter (Ontario) Tynan Gannett (Nova Scotia) Luke de Greeff (British Columbia) Steven Abrams (Ontario) Martin Licht (Ontario) Jonathan Pickett (Ontario) Guillaume Rivest (Québec)
December 18, 2024.- Volleyball World is excited to unveil the schedule for the Beach Pro Tour 2025. The highly anticipated nine-month competition promises to be bigger and better than ever as the world’s elite beach volleyball talent go head-to-head in fierce competition across five continents.
Getting underway in late March, the season will culminate with the prestigious Beach Volleyball World Championships 2025 in Adelaide, Australia, from 14 to 23 November.
The 2025 Beach Pro Tour will visit iconic destinations and exciting new host cities. For the latest Beach Pro Tour 2025 calendar, please click here.
Gstaad, Switzerland, will celebrate its 25th edition as a host, further cementing its status as a hub for beach volleyball. Brazil will host four stops of the competition, including an Elite event in Brasilia and a Challenge event in Saquarema, with two additional Elite stops to be revealed in early 2025. Mexico also makes a strong return to the tour after the success of the World Championships 2023, hosting three events: an Elite tournament in Quintana Roo, making its first appearance since 1999, and two Challenge tournaments. The Beach Pro Tour is also making a highly anticipated return to Cape Town, South Africa in 2025, marking a truly global competition that spans five continents.
Additional exciting competition stops are set to be added to the tour. Stay tuned for more details in early 2025!
The 2025 season will also feature broader global representation, with new talent joining veteran athletes on the Beach Pro Tour. Following the Olympic Games Paris 2024, the shifting team compositions promise fans exciting matchups, offering rising stars the opportunity to compete and develop alongside established champions, including Olympic Games gold medallists.
Among the women’s teams to watch are Anouk/Zoe (Switzerland), Carol/Rebecca (Brazil), Thamela/Victoria (Brazil), Hüberli/Kernen (Switzerland) and Lippmann/Bock (Germany). Meanwhile, the men’s competition features rising stars such as Gavira/A. Huerta (Spain), Pristauz/Hörl (Austria), Dressler/Waller (Austria), Horst/Leitner (Austria) and Tiisaar/Korotkov (Estonia).
Fan-favourite duos will also continue their successful partnerships in 2025. On the men’s side, Paris 2024 gold medallists Ahman/Hellvig of Sweden, bronze medallists Mol/Sorum of Sweden and semi-finalists Ahmed/Cherif of Qatar remain together, while women’s gold medallists at Paris 2024 Ana Patricia/Duda of Brazil and the USA’s Kloth/Nuss headline the women’s field as returning stars.
Following the Beach Pro Tour, the beach volleyball season will culminate in Adelaide, Australia, for the Beach Volleyball World Championships 2025, where the best teams in the world will battle for the ultimate title. The picturesque capital of South Australia will transform a state-of-the-art open-air sports venue into a beach volleyball coliseum, for a festival atmosphere set to thrill fans.
Stay tuned for more information on what is set to be a competition like no other!
SAN JOSÉ, Costa Rica, December 8, 2024.- The 9th Stop of the 2024 NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour, held on the sand courts of La Sabana, concluded with the American duo Peri Brennan and Molly Phillips winning the final match over Mexico’s Atenas Gutiérrez and Susana Torres 2-0 (21-19, 21-19).
In the battle for third place, the U.S. pair Taylor Wilson and Myszkowski faced Mexico’s Yeray Vidaurrazaga and Jimena Ramírez in a thrilling match that was decided in three sets, 2-1 (21-14, 25-27, 15-13). This victory secured a podium finish for the second U.S. duo in the tournament.
The competition featured an exciting semifinal stage. In the first matchup, Atenas Gutiérrez and Susana Torres defeated their compatriots Vidaurrazaga and Ramírez with a solid 2-0 (21-15, 21-14). Meanwhile, champions Brennan and Phillips overcame teammates Wilson and Myszkowski 2-0 (21-14, 21-13).
Podium Male and Female
In position matches, Canada’s Sophia Hladyniuk and Myriam Robitaille worked hard to secure fifth place by defeating Austin/Buckner from the U.S. Virgin Islands 2-0 (22-20, 22-20). The Canadians had earlier dominated Costa Rica’s Aliza Aguilar and Kianny Araya 2-0 (21-14, 21-12), while the U.S. Virgin Islands pair defeated Guatemala’s Natalia Girón and Paola Alvarado 2-1 (16-21, 21-15, 16-14).
Natalia Girón and Paola Alvarado showed great composure to take seventh place, defeating Aguilar and Araya 2-0 (21-14, 21-19).
Ninth place was contested by Dominicans Crismil Paniagua and Yari Cleto, who edged Costa Rica’s Katherine Quesada and Eugenia Ramírez in an intense three-set duel, 2-1 (24-22, 18-21, 15-12).
Nicaragua’s Norma Brenes and Lolette Rodríguez claimed 11th place after defeating El Salvador’s Keiry Guzmán and Fátima Rendón 2-0 (21-7, 21-13). For 13th place, Costa Rica’s Valentina Molina and Sofía Vega outperformed El Salvador’s Karla Tovar and Daniela Vigil 2-0 (21-18, 21-16). Finally, Destiny Layne and Serena Edwards from Barbados were awarded 15th place with a bye.
The 9th Stop of the 2024 NORCECA Tour provided thrilling competition with the participation of 15 tandems, highlighted by the dominance of the U.S. teams, who claimed two of the three podium spots.
Peri Brennan_Molly Phillips USA
Final Positions: 1. Peri Brennan y Molly Phillips (USA1); 2. Atenas Gutiérrez y Susana Torres (MEX1); 3. Taylor Wilson y Myszkowski (USA2); 4. Yeray Vidaurrazaga y Jimena Ramírez (MEX2); 5. Sophia Hladyniuk y Myriam Robitaille (CAN); 6. T’ara Austin y Taylor Buckner (ISV); 7. Natalia Girón y Paola Alvarado (GUA); 8. Aliza Aguilar y Kianny Araya (CRC1); 9. Crismil Paniagua y Yari Cleto (DOM); 10. Katherine Quesada y Eugenia Ramírez (CRC3); 11. Norma Brenes y Lolette Rodríguez (NCA); 12. Keiry Guzmán y Fátima Rendón (ESA2); 13. Valentina Molina y Sofía Vega (CRC2); 14. Karla Tovar y Daniela Vigil (ESA1); 15. Destiny Layne y Serena Edwards (BAR)
RESULTS
FIRST PLACE Peri Brennan y Molly Phillips (USA)- Atenas Gutiérrez y Susana Torres (MEX) 2-0 (21-19/21-19); THIRD PLACE: Wilson/Myszkowski (USA)- Vidaurrazaga/Ramírez (MEX) 2-1 (21-14, 25-27, 15-13); FIFTH PLACE: Hladyniuk/Robitaille (CAN)- Austin/Buckner (ISV) 2-0 (22-20/22-20); SEVENTH PLACE: N. Giron/Alvarado (GUA) – Aguilar/Quesada (CRC) 2-0 (21-14, 21-19); NINTH PLACE Paniagua/Cleto (DOM)- Quesada/Ramírez (CRC) 2-1 (24-22, 18-21, 15-12); 11TH PLACE: N. Brenes/Lolette (NCA)- Guzmán/Rendón (ESA) 2-0 (21-07/21-13); 13TH PLACE: Molina/Sofi V (CRC)- Tovar/Vigil (ESA) 2-0 (21-18/21-16); 15TH PLACE: Layne/Edwards BAR BYE
SAN JOSÉ, Costa Rica, December 8, 2024.- The Mexican duo Miguel Sarabia and Jorman Osuna claimed the gold medal at the ninth stop of the 2024 NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour after defeating Garrett Bucklin and Tyler Penberthy from the U.S. Virgin Islands 2-0 (21-19, 21-13) in the final.
Sarabia and Osuna established themselves as the tournament’s standout pair, reaching the top undefeated.
In route to an electrifying and highly competitive final, Sarabia and Osuna defeated their compatriots Ines Lares and Gabriel Cruz in the semifinals with a close 2-0 (21-18, 28-26) scoreline. Meanwhile, Bucklin and Penberthy edged out Americans Silila Tucker and Cody Caldwell in another tightly contested match, also finishing 2-0 (22-20, 23-21).
Miguel Sarabia MEX ante Tyler Penberthy ISV40-2
In the battle for third place, the U.S. duo Silila Tucker and Cody Caldwell overcame Mexico’s Gabriel Cruz and Ines Vargas in a thrilling match that ended 2-1 (21-15, 12-21, 15-8). Tucker and Caldwell displayed resilience and technical skills to secure their spot on the podium.
In the fifth-place match, Costa Rica’s Stanley Grant and Julián Araya overcame Clements and Van Siclen of the U.S. Virgin Islands in a thrilling match that ended 2-0 (21-10, 31-29). Earlier, Stanley/Grant defeated Guatemala’s Luis García and Edgar Maldonado 2-0 (21-18, 21-15), who finished eighth after falling to the Dominican duo Francisco De Jesús and Rolvin Maldonado 2-0 (21-12, 21-16).
Canada’s Luke de Greeff and Guillaume Rivest secured ninth place after defeating Nicaragua’s Denis López and Dany López 2-0 (21-16, 21-14).
The Salvadoran team of Gabriel Vargas and Carlos Mejía claimed 11th place with a narrow victory over Costa Rica’s Edwin and Juan Diego Delgado 2-1 (27-25, 17-21, 15-13). Meanwhile, Barbados’ Jonathan Alleyne and Ronald Rice took 13th place, defeating Guatemala’s Santiago Penagos and Javier Lucero 2-0 (21-14, 21-15).
Saint Kitts and Nevis duo Julian Bristol and Jedediah Pencheon secured 15th place by defeating Bermuda’s Sean Tucker and Kyle Hamilton 2-1 (18-21, 21-18, 15-7).
Podium
The tournament featured the participation of 16 teams from across the region, showcasing a high level of technical and strategic skill in every match.
The final standings were as follows: 1. Sarabia/Osuna (MEX1); 2. Bucklin/Penberthy (ISV1); 3. Tucker/Caldwell (USA); 4. Lares/Cruz (MEX2); 5. Stanley/Araya (CRC1); 6. Clements/Van Siclen (ISV2); 7. De Jesús/Maldonado (DOM); 8. Maldonado/García (GUA1); 9. De Greeff/Rivest (CAN); 10. López/López (NCA); 11. Mejía/Vargas (ESA); 12. Delgado/Delgado (CRC2); 13. Alleyne/Rice (BAR); 14. Lucero/Penagos (GUA2); 15. Bristol/Pencheon (SKN); 16. Tucker/Hamilton (BER).
SAN JOSÉ, Costa Rica, November 7, 2024.- United States and Mexico have established themselves as the top contenders in the women’s tournament of the ninth stop of the NORCECA Continental Tour in Costa Rica, each securing two teams in the semifinals.
The American duo of Peri Brennan and Molly Phillips advanced to the semifinals with a 2-0 (21-18, 21-13) victory over Costa Rica’s Aliza Aguilar and Kianny Quesada. Similarly, their compatriots Taylor Wilson and Myszkowski dominated Guatemala’s Natalia Girón and Paola Alvarado, winning 2-0 (21-15, 21-10), demonstrating their strength and strategy in every set.
Yeray Vidaurrazaga/María Ramírez MEX
Mexico kept pace by also advancing both of their teams to the semifinals. Atenas Gutiérrez and Susana Torres defeated the U.S. Virgin Islands pair T’ara Austin and Taylor Buckner in a tight match, finishing 2-0 (21-19, 21-12). Meanwhile, Yeray Vidaurrazaga and Jimena Ramírez overcame Canada’s Sophia Hladyniuk and Myriam Robitaille in a hard-fought battle, sealing a 2-0 (21-18, 21-14) win.
These victories set the stage for thrilling semifinal clashes between Mexico and the United States. Brennan/Phillips will face their fellow Americans Wilson/Myszkowski, while the Mexican semifinal features Vidaurrazaga/Ramírez against Gutiérrez/Torres.
In pool-play, in Pool A, Brennan and Phillips (USA) finished undefeated after beating Paniagua and Cleto (DOM) 21-09, 21-16, leaving Mexico in second place and the Dominican Republic in third.
Molly Phillips /Peri Brennan USA
Austin and Buckner (ISV) claimed the top spot in Pool B after edging Costa Rica’s Aguilar and Quesada 22-20, 21-19, with Costa Rica taking second place.
In Pool C, Wilson and Myszkowski (USA) defeated Costa Rica’s Quesada and Ramírez 2-0 (21-16, 21-14). Hladyniuk/Robitaille (CAN) secured second place with a 2-0 (21-11, 21-18) victory over Tovar/Vigil (ESA).
Pool D was led by Vidaurrazaga and Ramírez (MEX), who triumphed over Costa Rica’s Molina and Sofía Vega 21-14, 21-06. Guatemala’s Girón and Alvarado secured second place after defeating Brenes/Lolette (NCA) 2-0 (22-20, 21-14).
In placement matches, Paniagua and Cleto (DOM) beat Brenes and Lolette (NCA) 2-1 (21-15, 17-21, 15-9), while Quesada and Ramírez (CRC) outperformed Guzmán and Rendón (ESA) with a clear 2-0 (21-10, 21-08). For the 13th to 16th positions, Tovar and Vigil (ESA) defeated Layne and Edwards (BAR) 2-0 (21-18, 22-20), and Molina and Sofía Vega (CRC) advanced automatically with a bye.
Susana Torres – Atenas Gutierrez MEX
WOMEN’S RESULTS
POOL-PLAY POOL A Gutiérrez / Torres (MEX) BYE; Brennan / Phillips (USA) – Paniagua/Cleto (DOM) 2-0 (21-09/21-16); POOL B Austin/Buckner (ISV) -Aguilar/Quesada (CRC) 2-0 (22-20/21-19); Guzmán/Rendon (ESA)- Layne/Edwards (BAR) 2-1 (21-17/18-21/15-3); POOL C Hladyniuk/Robitaille (CAN)-Tovar/Vigil (ESA) 2-0 (21-11/21-18); Wilson/Myszkowski (USA)-Quesada/Ramírez (CRC) 2-0 (21-16/21-14); POOL D Vidaurruzaga/Ramírez (MEX) -Molina/Sofi V (CRC) 2-0 (21-14/21-06); N.Giron/Alvarado (GUA) -N.Brenes/Lolette (NCA) 2-0 (21-16/22-20)
SAN JOSÉ, Costa Rica, December 7, 2024.- Mexico’s duos, Sarabia/Osuna and Lares/Cruz, along with Tucker/Caldwell from the United States and Bucklin/Penberthy from the U.S. Virgin Islands, advanced to the men’s semifinals at the ninth stop of the NORCECA Tour in Costa Rica.
The semifinals will begin Sunday at 9:00 a.m., with the following matchups: Tyler Penberthy/Garrett Bucklin (ISV) will face Silila Tucker/Cody Caldwell (USA), while Miguel Sarabia/Jorman Osuna (MEX) will take on their compatriots Ines Vargas/Gabriel Cruz (MEX), promising an exciting conclusion to the tournament.
Silila Tucker /Cody Caldwell USA
In the quarterfinals, Miguel Sarabia and Jorman Osuna of Mexico secured their spot in the semifinals with a dominant 2-0 victory over Guatemala’s Luis García and Edgar Maldonado, with scores 21-12 and 21-11. Their Mexican compatriots, Ines Vargas and Gabriel Cruz, also advanced after defeating Costa Rica’s Stanley Grant Brown and Julián Araya 2-0 (21-19, 21-14), leaving the hosts without representation in the semifinals.
The USA duo of Silila Tucker and Cody Caldwell earned their semifinal berth with a 2-0 (21-17, 21-12) win against the Dominicans Francisco De Jesús and Rolvin Maldonado. Finally, in a closely contested quarterfinal between the two U.S. Virgin Islands teams, Tyler Penberthy and Garrett Bucklin edged out Devin Van Siclen and William Clements 2-0 (22-20, 21-10).
Pool-play concluded earlier in the day, with Miguel Sarabia and Jorman Osuna of Mexico dominated Lucero/Penagos 2-0 (21-6, 21-4) to top Pool A. De Jesús/Maldonado secured second place in the pool after a hard-fought 2-0 (21-19, 21-18) victory over Canada’s De Greeff/Rivest.
Tucker and Caldwell of the USA finished first in Pool B with a commanding 2-0 (21-12, 21-7) win over Guatemala’s Maldonado/García, who settled for second place.
In Pool C, Tyler Penberthy and Garrett Bucklin (ISV) claimed the top spot with a 2-0 (21-14, 21-14) win against Nicaragua’s Lopez/Lopez. Mexico’s Lares/Cruz secured second place with a 2-0 (21-13, 21-10) victory over Alleyne/Rice of Barbados.
Tyler Penberthy -Garrett Bucklin ISV
Finally, in Pool D, Costa Rica’s Stanley Grant Brown and Julián Araya topped the standings after defeating Mejía/Vargas of El Salvador 2-0 (21-18, 21-18). Clements/Van Siclen (ISV) took second place with a 2-0 (21-16, 21-11) win over Tucker/Hamilton of Bermuda.
DOHA, Qatar, December 7, 2024.- Kristen Nuss & Taryn Kloth are the 2024 Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour champions. The American duo defended their Doha Finals gold from last year and triumphed as champions for the second time in a row, while collecting their overall eighth gold and 12th medal on the Tour over the years.
The other American pair in the women’s tournament in Qatar, Terese Cannon & Megan Kraft, also reached the final of the Finals, but settled for silver. They are now on a streak of four consecutive medals on the Tour, after their Gstaad Elite16 silver, Vienna Elite16 bronze and Rio de Janeiro Elite16 silver, but their first gold as a team is still evading them.
Top-seeded Tina Graudina & Anastasija Samoilova earned the bronze. It was their ninth medal on the Beach Pro Tour, but first at a Finals event.
Both sets of Saturday evening’s all-American final went back and forth with Nuss & Kloth taking the upper hand for a 2-0 (21-19, 21-17) victory. Nuss’s four aces and Kloth’s five kill blocks tilted the outcome their way. They finished with 16 and 17 points, respectively, while Cannon delivered a match-high 22 points.
“I don’t know if there are many words there, but we have to give a huge credit to our fellow Americans Meg and Terese. What a tournament!” Nuss told VBTV after the final. “We are very excited to end the season like this. What a year it’s been! So to go out like this – I don’t think you can ask for much better.”
“It feels pretty good,” Kloth added. “We are ready for a nice break, but we were so happy to be here. Thank you, beach volleyball world for an amazing year!”
In the bronze medal match, Tina & Anastasija played against fifth-seeded Xue Chen & Xia Xinyi of China. After winning a dramatic first set in the overtime, the Latvians were well in control of the second and celebrated a 2-0 (24-22, 21-16) win. Tina was the best scorer of the match with 23 points, including three blocks and two aces. Anastasija also fired two aces to finish with 12 points. On the other of the net, Xue matched their combined ace total, while Xia led the team with 20 points, all in attack.
Earlier on Saturday, both American teams won their semifinals in straight sets. Cannon & Kraft mastered a 2-0 (21-17, 21-14) sweep of their encounter with Tina & Anastasija. Kraft fired three aces towards a 19-point match high, while Cannon put away three kill blocks and two aces to finish with 15 points. Then, Nuss & Kloth were even more emphatic and hammered out a 2-0 (21-13, 21-13) shutout of Xue & Xia. Kloth led the way with 21 points, including three blocks and two aces. Nuss added 13.
DOHA, Qatar, December 6, 2024.- Americans Cannon/Kraft and Kloth/Nuss to face Tina/Anastasija of Latvia and Xue/Xia of China, respectively, in the semifinals of the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Finals in Doha on Friday for a place in the tournament’s gold medal match.
The duels will both happen on Saturday, with Tina and Anastasija battling Terese Cannon and Megan Kraft at 13:00 local time (10:00 GMT) and Xue and Xia facing Taryn Kloth and Kristen Nuss one hour later. The medal matches will be held on Sunday.
Cannon and Kraft are the only undefeated team in the women’s tournament in Qatar. The winners of Pool A with four victories and just one set lost, they advanced directly from pool play to the semifinals following their 2-0 (21-10, 21-15) victory over Italians Valentina Gottardi and Reka Orsi Toth.
Latvians and Americans met on Wednesday in Doha and Cannon and Kraft won in straight sets to even the head-to-head results between the teams, which now shows two triumphs for each side.
Reigning Beach Pro Tour Finals champions Kloth and Nuss topped Pool B with three wins and one loss, earning a direct spot in the semifinals. On Friday, they faced their only defeat so far in Doha, falling to Müller and Tillmann 2-1 (23-25, 22-20, 15-8).
On Saturday, Chinese and Americans will meet for the fourth time in just over a year. Kloth and Nuss won the last two duels, including the one in the pool phase of the Paris 2024 Olympics.
San José, Costa Rica, December 6, 2024.- Brennan/Phillips and Wilson/Myszkowski from the United States, Austin/Buckner from the U.S. Virgin Islands, Aguilar/Quesada from Costa Rica, and Vidaurrazaga/Ramirez from Mexico finished the first day of the women’s division at the ninth stage of the NORCECA Tour in La Sabana, Costa Rica, undefeated.
In the most contested match of Pool A, the U.S. team of Peri Brennan and Molly Phillips edged Mexico’s Atenas Gutiérrez and Susana Torres in a thrilling three-set battle, 2-1 (21-19, 12-21, 21-19). The Mexican duo Gutiérrez/Torres had previously secured a solid 2-0 win against the Dominican Republic’s Crismil Paniagua and Yari Cleto (21-12, 21-18).
Pool B featured dominance by T’ara Austin and Taylor Buckner of the U.S. Virgin Islands and the local pair of Aliza Aguilar and Kianny Araya, both of whom claimed convincing victories in their respective matches.
Aliza Aguilar CRC
The Costa Ricans defeated Keiry Guzmán and Fátima Rendón from El Salvador 2-0 (21-13, 21-11) and also triumphed over Barbados’ Destiny Layne and Serena Edwards 2-0 (21-11, 21-14). Meanwhile, Austin/Buckner (ISV) left no room for surprises, beating the pairs from Barbados and El Salvador with commanding 2-0 results (21-09, 21-11) and (21-12, 21-09), respectively.
In Pool C, the U.S. pair of Wilson Taylor and Natalie Myszkowski dominated their matches, defeating El Salvador’s Karla Tovar and Sofía Vigil 2-0 (21-10, 21-7) and Canada’s Sophia Hladyniuk and Myriam Robitaille 2-0 (21-14, 21-17). Costa Rica’s Katherine Quesada and Eugenia Ramírez managed an important 2-0 victory against Tovar/Vigil of El Salvador (21-12, 21-15) but fell to the Canadians in a close 2-1 battle (15-21, 21-17, 15-13).
Natalie Myszkwoski USA
Mexico’s Yeray Vidaurrazaga and María Ramírez showcased their superiority in Pool D, easily defeating Nicaragua’s Norma Brenes and Lolette Rodríguez 2-0 (21-08, 21-07) before securing their second win against Guatemala’s Natalia Girón and Paola Alvarado 2-0 (21-11, 21-17). Guatemala’s Girón/Alvarado also claimed a hard-fought victory against Costa Rica’s Valentina Molina and Sofía Vega, winning 2-1 (21-19, 15-21, 15-13).
The NORCECA Tour continues Saturday with the decisive final pool-play matches, followed by the quarterfinals and placement matches.
WOMEN’S RESULTS
POOL A Brennan/Phillips (USA) Bye/Paniagua/Cleto (DOM) Bye/ Gutiérrez/Torres (MEX) – Paniagua/Cleto (DOM) 2-0 (21-12/21-18)/Brennan/Phillips (USA)-Gutiérrez/Torres (MEX)2-1 (21-19/12-21/21-19) POOL A Austin/Buckner (ISV)-Layne/Edwards (BAR) 2-0 (21-09/21-11) /Aguilar/Quesada (CRC)-Guzmán/Rendón (ESA) 2-0 (21-13/21-11)/Aguilar/Quesada (CRC)-Layne/Edwards (BAR) 2-0 (21-11/21-14)/Austin/Buckner (ISV)-Guzmán/Rendón (ESA) 2-0 (21-12/21-09)/ POOL A Wilson/Myszkowski (USA) – Tovar/Vigil (ESA) 2-0 (21-10/21-7) /Hladyniuk/Robitaille (CAN)-Quesada/Ramírez (CRC) 2-1 (15-21/21-17/15-13) / Wilson/Myszkowski (USA)-Hladyniuk/Robitaille (CAN) 2-0 (21-14/21-17) /Quesada/Ramírez (CRC) – Tovar/Vigil (ESA) 2-0 (21-12/21-15) POOL A Vidaurrazaga/Ramírez (MEX)-N. Brenes/Lolette (NCA) 2-0 (21-08/21-07)/N. Girón/Alvarado (GUA)-Molina/Sofi V (CRC) 2-1 (21-19/15-21/15-13)/N. Brenes/Lolette (NCA)-Molina/Sofi V (CRC) 2-1 (21-13/18-21/15-09) / Vidaurrazaga/Ramírez (MEX) -N. Girón/Alvarado (GUA) 2-0 (21-11/21-17)
San José, Costa Rica, December 6, 2024.- The duos Sarabia/Osuna from Mexico, Tucker/Caldwell from the United States, Bucklin/Penberthy from the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Stanley/Araya from Costa Rica each claimed two victories in an electrifying start to the ninth stop of the 2024 NORCECA Tour at La Sabana sand courts in Costa Rica.
In Pool A, the Mexican duo Miguel Sarabia and Jorman Osuna exceled with two consecutive wins. In their debut, they overcame the Dominican pair Hayerling De Jesús and Rolvin Maldonado in a hard-fought 2-1 (21-19, 21-13, 15-11). Later, they secured another victory against Canada’s Luke de Greeff and Guillaume Rivest with a 2-0 (21-19, 21-17) win.
Meanwhile, the Dominican representatives achieved an important 2-1 (21-16, 16-21, 15-7) victory over Guatemala’s Santiago Penagos and Javier Lucero, who ended winless.
Sean Tucker BER
Pool B saw the dominance of the U.S. team of Silila Tucker and Cody Caldwell, who delivered commanding performances in their two matches, defeating Costa Rica’s Edwin Delgado and Juan Diego Delgado (21-09, 21-11) and St. Kitts and Nevis’ Julian Bristol and Jedediah Pencheon (21-09, 21-14).
Guatemala’s Luis García and Edgar Maldonado secured a crucial victory against Delgado/Delgado in a closely contested 2-1 (21-17, 19-21, 15-10) match.
Pool C featured equally intense action. The U.S. Virgin Islands duo of Tyler Penberthy and Garrett Bucklin stood out with two victories, including a thrilling 2-1 (19-21, 21-14, 15-10) win over Mexico’s Ines Vargas and Gabriel Cruz. Earlier, Penberthy/Bucklin defeated Barbados’ Jonathan Alleyne and Ronald Rice 2-0 (21-09, 21-11).
Nicaragua’s Denis López and Dany López earned an important 2-0 (21-10, 21-16) victory against Alleyne and Rice, who were unable to secure any wins on the day.
Julian Araya CRC
Costa Rica topped in Pool D, where Stanley Grant and Julián Araya delivered a flawless debut. In their first match, they defeated Devin Van Siclen and William Clemens (ISV) 2-0 (21-15, 21-18) and later overcame Sean Tucker and Kyle Hamilton (BER) with a similar score (21-16, 21-15).
El Salvador’s Gabriel Vargas and Carlos Mejía also impressed, defeating Bermuda’s representatives 2-0 (21-18, 21-09) before falling to the U.S. Virgin Islands team in their final match.
The group stage concludes Saturday morning, followed by quarterfinal matches and placement games. The tournament promises to maintain the excitement and quality through every set.
MEN’S RESULTS
POOL A Sarabia/OSUNA (MEX) -De Jesús/MALDONADO (DOM) 2-1 (21-19/21-13/15-11)/ de Greeff/Rivest (CAN)-Lucero/Penagos (GUA) 2-0 (21-15/21-15) / De Jesús/MALDONADO (DOM)-Lucero/Penagos (GUA) 2-1 (21-16/16-21/15-7) /Sarabia/OSUNA (MEX)-de Greeff/Rivest (CAN) 2-0 (21-19/21-17) POOL B Maldonado/García (GUA)-Bristol/Pencheon (SKN) 2-0 (21-13/21-16)/Tucker/Caldwell (USA)-Delgado/Delgado (CRC) 2-0 (21-09/21-11)/Tucker/Caldwell (USA)-Bristol/Pencheon (SKN) 2-0 (21-09/21-14) /Maldonado/Garcia (GUA)- Delgado/Delgado (CRC) 2-1 (21-17/19-21/15-10) POOL C Bucklin/Penberthy (ISV)-Alleyne/Rice (BAR) 2-0 (21-09/21-11) /Lares/Cruz (MEX)-López/López (NCA) 2-0 (21-19/21-12) /López/López (NCA)-Alleyne/Rice (BAR) 2-0 (21-10/21-16) /Bucklin/Penberthy (ISV)-Lares/Cruz (MEX) 2-1 (19-21/21-14/15-10 POOL D MEJIA/Vargas (ESA)-Tucker/Hamilton (BER) 2-0 (21-18/21-09) / Stanley/Araya (CRC)-Clements/Van Sicien (ISV) 2-0 (21-15/21-18)/Stanley/Araya (CRC)-Tucker/Hamilton (BER) 2-0 (21-16/21-15) /Clements/Van Sicien (ISV)-MEJIA/Vargas (ESA) 2-0 (21-10/21-18)
SAN JOSÉ, Costa Rica, Thursday, December 5, 2024.- The sand courts of La Sabana Metropolitan Park in San José, Costa Rica, will host the ninth and final stage of the NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour running from Friday December 6, through Sunday, December 8.
Over three days of competition, the top men’s and women’s duos from the North, Central America, and Caribbean Confederation will battle for top honors.
The event will feature women’s teams from the United States, Canada, Guatemala, Mexico, Barbados, Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, El Salvador, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. On the men’s side, teams from Saint Kitts & Nevis, El Salvador, Guatemala, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Mexico, Barbados, the Dominican Republic, Bermuda, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Canada, and the United States will compete.
A total of 31 teams are registered for the event, 16 in the men’s division and 15 in women, divided into four pools per gender.
Costa Rica Fem
This marks the second time in history that Costa Rica will host a NORCECA Tour stage, having previously hosted the tenth stage in 2013, also at La Sabana Metropolitan Park.
Among the standout athletes, Nicaragua’s Dany López, who won gold in the sixth stage in Puerto Cortés, Honduras, alongside Rubén Mora, will compete in Costa Rica with Dennis López.
From Canada, Luke De Greeff, who earned bronze in the eighth stage in San Salvador and the seventh in Bonaire alongside Martin Licht, will now partner with Guillaume Rivest.
For the United States, Cody Caldwell, who won gold in Varadero during the second stage of the tour, will team up with Silila Tucker. Also noteworthy is the Dominican duo of Hayerling De Jesús and Rolvin Maldonado, runners-up in the fifth stop in Punta Cana.
Mexico returns to the tour after missing several 2024 stages, fielding four teams: Inés Vargas/Gabriel Cruz and Miguel Sarabia/Jorman Osuna in the men’s category, and Atenas Gutiérrez/Susana Torres and Yamilet Vidaurrazaga/María Jimena Ramírez in the women’s category.
USA and Bermuda
Atenas Gutiérrez and Susana Torres previously won silver in the third stage of the tour in Juan Dolio and secured bronze in the tour finals, also held in Juan Dolio.
The host, Costa Rica, will present three women’s teams and two men’s teams. On the women’s side are Aliza Aguilar/Kianny Araya, Valentina Molina/Sofía Vega, and Katherine Quesada/Eugenia Ramírez. On the men’s side are Stanley Grant/Julián Araya and Edwin Delgado/Juan Diego Delgado.
The event begins this Friday with pool matches starting at 9:00 a.m., featuring 16 matches per gender.
Men’s Teams:
BAR: Jonathan Xavier Alleyne y Ronald Rice; BER: Sean Tucker y Kyle Hamilton; CAN: Luke de Greeff y Guillaume Rivest; CRC1: Stanley Grant Brown y Julián Araya Alas; CRC2: Edwin Delgado y Juan Diego Delgado; ESA: Gabriel Baltazr Vargas Romero y Carlos Adonai Mejía Pèrez; DOM: Hayerling Francisco De Jesús Goris y Rolvin Maldonado Sanchez; GUA1: Luis Augusto García Betancourt y Edgar Andrés Maldonado Espina; GUA2: Santiago Penagos Hernández y Javier Alberto Lucero Perez; MEX1: Miguel Sarabia Delgado y Jorman Osuna Valdez, MEX2: Ines Antonio Vargas Lares y Gabriel Cruz Mendoza; NIC: Denis José López Ruiz y Dany Antonio López Alvarado; SKN: Julian Bristol y Jedediah Pencheon; USA: Silila Tucker y Cody Caldwell; ISV1: Tyler Penberthy y Garrett Bucklin; ISV2: Devin Van Siclen William Clemens
Women’s Teams: BAR: Destiny Layne y Serena Edwards ; CAN: Sophia Hladyniuk y Myriam Robitaille; CRC1: Aliza Aguilar Delgado y Kianny María Araya Quesada; CRC2: Laura Valentina Molina Alvarado y Sofía Vega Barrantes; CRC3: Katherine V. Quesada Ovando y Eugenia Ramirez; ESA1: Karla Jamileth Tovar Tovar y Daniela Sofía Vigil Catillejos, ESA2: Keiry Michelle Guzman Espinoza y Fátima Giselle Rendon Garcia; DOM: Crismil Paniagua Hinojosa y Yari Manuela Cleto Rosario; GUA: Natalia María Girón Boesche y Paola Marie Alvarado Franco; MEX1: Atenas Angelica Gutierrez Guzmán y Susana Torres García; MEX2: Yeray Yamilet Vidaurrazaga Blanco y Maria Jimena Ramirez Campas; NIC: Norma Brenes Zavala y Lolette Eleonor Rodríguez Saunders; USA1: Peri Brennan y Molly Phillips; USA2: Wilson Taylor y Nicole Myszkowski; ISV: T’ara Austin y Taylor Buckner.
DOHA, Qatar, December 5, 2024.- Terese Cannon & Megan Kraft, Kristen Nuss & Taryn Kloth and Katja Stam & Raisa Schoon were the first teams to book their spots in the Doha Finals playoffs. Whether they will advance straight to the semifinals or move on to the quarterfinals, and who are the other three teams to join them will be decided in the last pool matches on Friday.
On Thursday, eighth-seeded Americans Cannon & Kraft achieved their third victory in Pool A, but this time they were pushed to a tie-breaker by fifth-seeded Xue Chen & Xia Xinyi of China. In an even game and despite an impressive 27-point match high from Xia, the US duo emerged with a 2-1 (21-15, 14-21, 15-12) win. Cannon & Kraft stand on top of the Pool A standings as the only team to have collected three victories so far.
Xue & Xia are second on a 2-1 win-loss record. Earlier on Thursday, the Chinese pair played another three-set match, but this time came out on the winning end, 2-1 (22-20, 15-21, 15-13) against Italian wild cards Valentina Gottardi & Reka Orsi Toth. Each of the four players in the match reached 20+ points, but Gottardi made a solid performance on the block with seven stuffs.
Fourth-seeded Brazilians Agatha Bednarczuk & Rebecca Cavalcanti achieved their first victory in Doha, a 2-0 (21-16, 21-11) shutout of top-seeded Latvians Tina Graudina & Anastasija Samoilova, with a 22-point match high from Rebecca. Later in the day, however, they lost their last pool match to Gottardi & Orsi Toth, also in straight sets, 2-0 (21-15, 21-17) and finished their Pool A campaign on 1-3.
Whether or not this was the last match of Agatha’s glorious professional career as a player will be known on Friday, when Tina & Anastasija and Gottardi & Orsi Toth will be looking for their second wins against Xue & Xia and Cannon & Kraft, respectively.
Pool B
Sixth-seeded Americans Nuss & Kloth and third-seeded Stam & Schoon of the Netherlands mastered two straight-set wins each on Thursday and secured advancement to the playoffs.
The Americans started their day with an emphatic 2-0 (21-11, 21-11) shutout of Paris 2024 Olympic silver medalists Melissa Humana-Paredes & Brandie Wilkerson of Canada, sharing the top scorer honors with 12 points apiece. Then Nuss put away a match-high 19 points towards a 2-0 (21-18, 21-18) victory over Spanish Olympians Daniela Alvarez & Tania Moreno and the American duo stayed undefeated in three matches played so far.
Stam & Schoon finished their pool matches and collected three wins to secure a spot among the top two in the pool. In their first match on Thursday, the Dutch hammered out a 2-0 (21-17, 21-17) win over second-seeded Germans Svenja Muller & Cinja Tillmann. While Schoon impressed with six aces, Stam raised five kill blocks towards a match-high 16 points. Stam & Schoon produced a 2-0 (21-16, 21-18) sweep of their last match in the pool against ninth-seeded Melissa & Brandie, with a 21-point match high from Stam.
Friday’s race for third place in the pool will be decided in the matches between Muller & Tillmann (currently third on 1-2) and Nuss & Kloth, and between Melissa & Brandie (also on 1-2) and winless Alvarez & Moreno.
DOHA, Qatar, December 4, 2024.- Terese Cannon & Megan Kraft made a solid start to the Doha Finals on Wednesday. At this rookie appearance for either of the two American players at a Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Finals, they produced two straight-set victories on opening day and were the only women’s team to do so.
Eighth-seeded Cannon & Kraft started their Pool A campaign in the Qatari capital on Wednesday afternoon with an emphatic 2-0 (21-16, 21-10) shutout of fourth-seeded Brazilians Agatha Bednarczuk & Rebecca Cavalcanti. Dominating both in attack and in serving, the two Americans contributed 18 points apiece to the victory. Cannon & Kraft were just as convincing in their second match, when they hammered out a 2-0 (21-18, 21-10) upset of top-seeded Latvians Tina Graudina & Anastasija Samoilova. Cannon added the block as one of the team’s big weapons in this match, raising five stuffs towards a 19-point match high.
Wednesday’s other two Pool A matches were both pushed to tie-breaker resolutions. First, Tina & Anastasija opened their campaign with a 2-1 (19-21, 22-20, 15-11) comeback against 10th-seeded Italians Valentina Gottardi & Reka Orsi Toth. Orsi Toth was on fire in attack with 21 points and from the serving line with five aces. Anastasija also spiked 21 points in offence while Tina produced six kill blocks towards their success, facilitated by abundant Italian errors.
Agatha & Rebecca suffered a second defeat on Wednesday, this time at the hands of fifth-seeded Xue Chen & Xia Xinyi of China. Xue’s impenetrable block produced seven kill blocks and her serve delivered four aces, while Xia’s offensive effort achieved a match-high 25 points towards a 2-1 (18-21, 21-14, 15-12) comeback victory.
Pool B
Four different teams came up with one win each in Pool B on Wednesday.
After a 2-1 (21-16, 18-21, 15-9) battle, third-seeded Katja Stam & Raisa Schoon of the Netherlands got back at the Spaniards for the Paris Olympic eighthfinal defeat. Stam was the best scorer of the match with 22 points.
At the same time on centre court, Paris 2024 silver medalists Melissa Humana-Paredes & Brandie Wilkerson of Canada, seeded ninth, squeezed out a narrow 2-1 (16-21, 21-13, 17-15) comeback against second-seeded Germans Svenja Muller & Cinja Tillmann. Later in the day, the German duo bounced back with a 2-0 (21-18, 21-16) win over seventh-seeded Alvarez & Moreno. In each of the two games, Muller produced a 25-point match high, including four blocks and two aces.
Sixth-seeded Kristen Nuss & Taryn Kloth of the United States started their Doha Finals quest with a 2-0 (21-18, 21-16) shutout of Stam & Schoon. Kloth led the way with 22 points to her name.
Another eight women’s pool-stage matches will be played on Thursday. Action starts at 13:00 local time (10:00 UTC).
December 3, 2024.- It is almost time for the biggest Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour event of the year! The Beach Pro Tour Finals in the Qatari capital Doha will get underway on Wednesday, December 4, and will last through Saturday, December 7.
Among the women’s line-up of 10 top-calibre teams defending Doha Finals champions Kristen Nuss & Taryn Kloth and Terese Cannon & Megan Kraft of the United States, and Paris 2024 Olympic silver medalists Melissa Humana-Paredes & Brandie Wilkerson of Canada.
The 10 teams are split into two single round-robin pools of five. The two pool winners will advance straight to the semifinals, while the teams placed second or third will move to a quarterfinal round. Action will start at 13:00 local time (10:00 UTC) on Wednesday.
Pool A
Current leaders in the FIVB World Ranking, Latvia’s Tina Graudina & Anastasija Samoilova, collected four podiums in the 2024 Beach Pro Tour – gold at the Recife Challenge, silver at the Stare Jablonki Challenge and bronze at the Ostrava Elite16 and the Gstaad Elite16. The Latvian pair competed at their second Olympic Games and reached the quarterfinals at Paris 2024, where they were eliminated by the champions-to-be, Brazil’s Ana Patricia Ramos & Eduarda Santos Lisboa (Duda). During the last months of the year, they topped the World Ranking for the first time in their careers. Tina & Anastasija will lead Pool A in Doha in the company of another four high-level duos.
The Doha Finals will be the last professional tournament for the iconic Agatha Bednarczuk. The 41-year-old Brazilian is set to put an end to her glorious career after playing at two Olympic Games and earning silver at Rio de Janeiro 2016, in addition to claiming the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championship title in 2015. This year, Agatha and her partner Rebecca Cavalcanti picked up silver at the Guadalajara Challenge.
Another Olympic medalist, China’s Xue Chen, will also compete in Pool A. The experienced Beijing 2008 bronze medalist and four-time Olympian will reunite with two-time Olympian Xia Xinyi for the Finals. Before Paris 2024, they picked up Challenge golds in Saquarema and Stare Jablonke. With a new partner, Xue also claimed gold at the Haikou Challenge last month and an AVC Asian Championship silver. The continental gold went to Xia and her new teammate.
The pool also features USA’s Terese Cannon & Megan Kraft. They did not play at the Paris Olympics, but after that rose to the top 10 in the World Ranking to become the highest placed American team in the chart. They are on a roll with three consecutive Elite16 podiums – Gstaad silver, Vienna bronze and Rio de Janeiro silver.
The last spot in the pool was taken by Italian wild cards Valentina Gottardi & Reka Orsi Toth. Having just turned 22, Gottardi is the youngest player to compete in the Doha tournament. The Paris Olympian, who reached number six in the world and claimed 2024 CEV European Championship silver with experienced Marta Menegatti, joined forces with Orsi Toth ahead of the Rio Elite16, where they reached the quarterfinals. With her previous teammate, Orsi Toth collected four Futures medals on the 2024 Beach Pro Tour.
Pool B
The world’s number three and number four teams – Germany’s Svenja Muller & Cinja Tillmann and Netherlands’ Katja Stam & Raisa Schoon, respectively – highlight the Pool B line-up. The German Olympians triumphed at the Vienna Elite16 and finished runners-up at the Vienna Elite16. They also celebrated as European champions, while two-time Olympians and former World Ranking leaders Stam & Schoon earned a Tepic Elite16 silver and an Espinho Elite16 bronze.
Defending Doha Finals champions Kristen Nuss & Taryn Kloth of the United States, who arrived at Paris 2024 as the number two team in the world, riding the wave of three consecutive Elite16 podiums – silver in Brasilia and gold in Espinho and Gstaad – but were disappointed by their early departure from the Olympics after the eighthfinals, will try to bounce back in Doha, where they will also start their campaign in Pool B. That means a remake of last year’s final with Muller & Tillmann is on the programme for Friday.
Young Spaniards Daniela Alvarez & Tania Moreno, who made headlines at Paris 2024 by beating some big names, including Stam & Schoon in the eighthfinals, arrive in Doha with one 2024 medal to show, a Xiamen Challenge bronze.
On the other hand, the team that knocked out Alvarez & Moreno in the Olympic quarterfinals will also compete in this pool. Paris 2024 Olympic silver medalists Melissa Humana-Paredes & Brandie Wilkerson are the other wild-card team at the Finals. The two-time Canadian Olympians picked up another two silvers in 2024, at the Doha and the Ostrava Elite16 events, peaking to number three in the world right before the Games.
SAN JOSÉ, Costa Rica, December 1, 2024. Julián Araya and Stanley Grant, alongside Valentina Molina and Sofía Vega of Costa Rica, are the champions of the III Central American Under 19 Beach Volleyball Championship held at La Sabana Metropolitan Park in San José, Costa Rica.
With a flawless performance, Araya/Grant secured Costa Rica’s second consecutive championship in the men’s division, after defeating Nicaragua’s Justin Barrios and Deyner López 2-0 (21-12, 21-14) and later triumphed over El Salvador’s Diego Barrera and Josué Alvarado 2-0 (21-10, 21-11).
Araya and Grant completed the tournament undefeated, without dropping a single set, earning the gold medal with a perfect score of eight points.
The silver medal went to Nicaragua’s Justin Barrios and Deyner López with a 3-1 record, while Guatemala’s José Guevara and Daniel Morán secured bronze with a 2-2 record.
Costa Rica Champions Female and Male
In the women’s division, Costa Rica’s Valentina Molina and Sofía Vega faced a tough match against Nicaragua’s Yuliana Cháves and Ella Resau, winning 2-1 (19-21, 21-16, 15-8). In their second game, they cruised past Honduras’ Valery Rodríguez and Greisy Cardona 2-0 (21-8, 21-10) and later defeated El Salvador’s Daniela Vigil and Ashley Rauda 2-0 (21-16, 21-17) to clinch the Central American championship for the second consecutive time.
The silver medal went to El Salvador’s Daniela Vigil and Ashley Rauda (3-1), while Guatemala’s Maritza Zúñiga and Dulce Aguilar claimed bronze (2-2).
SAN JOSÉ, Costa Rica, December 1, 2024. The tandems of Fátima Rendón and Dévora Medina of El Salvador, and Cristian Oporta and Ángel Carranza of Costa Rica, emerged as the undefeated champions of the second edition of the Under 17 Central American Beach Volleyball Championship held at La Sabana Metropolitan Park in Costa Rica.
In the women’s division, the U17 gold medal went El Salvadors’ Fátima Rendón and Dévora Medina, who secured their third and fourth consecutive victories on Sunday. They defeated Guatemala’s Marisabel González and Fátima Reina 2-0 (21-12, 21-14) and the host team’s Amanda Villegas and Luciana Soto 2-0 (21-18, 21-14).
The Costa Rican duo of Villegas/Soto claimed the silver medal with a 3-1 record, while González/Reina from Guatemala finished third with a 2-2 record.
In the men’s division, Cristian Oporta and Ángel Carranza of Costa Rica won the U17 championship, marking a back-to-back title for Costa Rica. Oporta celebrated his second gold medal in this category.
El Salvador y Costa Rica Winners
Oporta and Carranza concluded the event with three consecutive victories, remaining undefeated without losing a single set, successfully defending the Central American crown for their country.
On Sunday, they defeated Guatemala’s Robin Oliva and Fredy Luna 2-0 (21-10, 21-17).
The second-place finish went to Oliva/Luna of Guatemala with 2-1 record, while the bronze medal was secured by Nicaragua’s duo, Mattew Kempf and Diego Cardoza who ended with 1-2 record.
SAN JOSÉ, Costa Rica, November 30, 2023.- The women’s team from El Salvador and the men’s team from Nicaragua lead the standings after the first day of competition at the III Central American U19 Championship, held on the sand courts at La Sabana in the Costa Rican capital.
In the women’s division, Daniela Vigil and Ashley Rauda of El Salvador won both of their matches. They began the day with a 2-1 (23-25, 21-17, 15-12) victory over Yuliana Cháves/Ella Resau from Nicaragua and later defeated Valery Rodríguez/Greisy Cardona of Honduras 2-0 (21-9, 21-5) in the day’s final match.
Maritza Zúñiga and Dulce Aguilar of Guatemala secured one win and one loss. They defeated Rodríguez/Cardona (HON) 2-0 (21-8, 21-3) but fell to Valentina Molina and Sofía Vega of Costa Rica 2-0 (21-13, 21-19).
El Salvador
After their loss to Vigil/Rauda, Yuliana Cháves/Ella Resau from Nicaragua earned a quick 2-0 (21-7, 21-7) victory over the Honduras duo.
Following the results of the women’s matches, El Salvador leads the standings, followed by Guatemala, 3-Nicaragua, 4-Honduras and 5-Costa Rica.
In the men’s division, Justin Barrios and Deyner López of Nicaragua secured two victories; 2-0 (21-15, 21-10) against Diego Barrera and Josué Alvarado of El Salvador and 2-0 (21-14, 21-10) against Jairo Gálvez and Isaac Méndez of Honduras.
In their only match of the day, Julián Araya and Stanley Grant of Costa Rica defeated Guevara/Morán of Guatemala 2-0 (21-10, 21-16). The Guatemalan duo had previously claimed a hard-fought 2-1 (21-16, 16-21, 15-12) win over Gálvez/Méndez from Honduras.
The Hondurans closed the day by defeating Barrera/Alvarado from El Salvador 2-0 (21-16, 21-13).
Thus, Nicaragua leads the men’s standings, 2-Honduras, 3-Guatemala, 4-Costa Rica y 5-El Salvador.
SAN JOSÉ, Costa Rica, November 30, 2024.- El Salvador women and Costa Rica men lead the II Central American U17 Beach Championship, which kicked off Saturday on the sand courts at La Sabana in San José, Costa Rica.
The competition began at 9:00 a.m. in the women’s division with a commanding victory by Fátima Rendón/Dévora Medina of El Salvador over Génesis Santamaría/Astrid Rivera of Honduras, 2-0 (21-3, 21-3). Rendón/Medina also dominated Kimberly Silva/Tania Callejas of Nicaragua, 2-0 (21-5, 21-9).
The Costa Rican duo of Amanda Villegas/Luciana Soto also earned two victories. They defeated Marisabel González/Fátima Reina of Guatemala 2-0 (21-11, 21-14) and later secured an easy win against Santamaría/Rivera of Honduras, 2-0 (21-1, 21-8).
Costa Rica Attack
The day concluded with a victory by González/Reina of Guatemala over Santamaría/Rivera of Honduras, 2-0 (21-6, 21-14).
Following the women’s results, El Salvador leads the standings, followed by Costa Rica, 3-Guatemala, 4-Honduras and 5-Nicaragua.
In the men’s division, only three matches were played, starting at 11:00 a.m. with a victory by the local duo Cristhian Oporta/Ángel Carranza over Angello Villeda/Jonathan Ortega of Honduras, 2-0 (21-11, 21-13).
In the second match, Robin Oliva/Fredy Luna of Guatemala defeated Mattew Kempf/Diego Cardoza of Nicaragua, 2-0 (21-15, 21-14).
The day ended with another win for the Costa Rican pair, Oporta/Carranza, over Kempf/Cardoza of Nicaragua, 2-0 (21-18, 21-16).
Costa Rica leads the standings, 2-Guatemala, 3-Nicaragua and 4-Honduras.
COSTA RICA, San José, November 29, 2024.- Ten teams from five countries will compete to become champions of the third edition of the 2024 AFECAVOL Central American U19 Beach Volleyball Championship.
The national teams from El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras, and Costa Rica, all participating in the U19 category, successfully attended the preliminary meeting this Friday, November 29. During the session, they presented their uniforms and official documentation to the Control Committee, confirming their eligibility for the Central American beach volleyball event.
In the U19 category, five teams in both the male and female divisions will compete starting this Saturday, November 30, at the sand courts of La Sabana in Costa Rica’s capital, San José. Matches will begin at 9:00 a.m. with the pairs in each category accumulating the most points being crowned champions.
The tournament will follow a round-robin format, with the pairs in both genders that accumulate the most points being crowned champions on Sunday, December 1, when the competition concludes.
COSTA RICA, San José, November 29, 2024.- Five countries, in both the male and female categories, will compete to become champions of the second edition of the Central American U17 Beach Volleyball Championship.
Four male teams and five female teams will vie for the U17 Central American championship title. The national teams from El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras, and Costa Rica successfully attended the preliminary meeting this Friday, November 29. During the session, they presented their uniforms and official documentation to the Control Committee, confirming their participation in the championship.
The competition will begin on Saturday, November 30, at the sand courts of La Sabana in Costa Rica’s capital, San José, starting at 9:00 a.m. The tournament will follow a round-robin format, with the pairs in each category accumulating the most points being crowned champions on Sunday, December 1, when the competition concludes.
SAN JOSÉ, Costa Rica, November 27, 2024.– Costa Rica will once again host the AFECAVOL Under 17 and Under 19 Central American Beach Volleyball Championships, set to take place on the sand courts of La Sabana on November 30 and December 1.
Costa Rica has hosted all editions of the U17 and U19 Central American Beach Volleyball Championships. The first event was held in 2018, when Puntarenas hosted the inaugural U19 Championship. Last year, the first U17 and the second U19 editions were held simultaneously at La Sabana.
Costa Rica dominated the U19 category in 2023, with Julián Araya and Yulius Brown, as well as Valentina Molina and Aliza Aguilar, crowned champions. The silver and bronze medals in the men’s category went to Roberto Recinos/José Daniel Guevara of Guatemala and Víctor Araúz/Adamit del Cid Moreno of Panama, respectively. In the women’s category, silver was awarded to Guatemala’s Maritza Zúñiga/Danna Aguilar, and bronze went to Nicaragua’s Yuliana Chávez/Kadderly Rosales.
In the inaugural U17 Championship, Nicaragua’s Ella Resau and Yulimar Alvarado, along with Costa Rica’s Stanley Grant and Cristian Oporta, were crowned champions. The men’s silver went to Guatemala’s Juan Carlos Menéndez and Daniel Sosa, while Panama’s Yustin Gantes and Einar Rodríguez earned bronze. In the women’s division, El Salvador’s Devora Medina and Daniela Vigil, as well as Costa Rica’s Sury Jiménez and Mariana Fallas, took second and third place, respectively.
The 2nd U17 Central American Championship and the 3rd U19 Central American Championship will feature teams from El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and the host country, Costa Rica.
In the U17 category, nine teams are registered, with El Salvador participating only in the men’s division. Meanwhile, the U19 category has ten teams registered, with one duo per gender from each country.
The delegations are scheduled to arrive in San José on Thursday, November 28. The preliminary meeting, court recognition, and practical refereeing clinic will take place on Friday, November 30. The competition will run on Saturday, November 30, and Sunday, December 1.
SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador, November 10, 2024.- Jade Race and Devanne Sours of the United States won the gold medal at the eighth stop of the 2024 NORCECA Tour after Canada’s Dana Roskic and Anna Licht were forced to withdraw due to injury during the final match at the Flor Blanca Beach Sports Stadium in El Salvador.
This is Devanne Sours’ second consecutive gold medal, having won gold in Bonaire with Carly Kan. Jade Race claimed her third consecutive medal on the 2024 NORCECA Tour, with previous bronze medals in Puerto Cortés and Bonaire.
In pool-play, Race and Sours defeated Roskic and Licht.
Race-Sours USA- Ozee-Glagau CAN
With heavy hearts, both Jade and Devanne spoke about winning the gold medal.
Jade said, “Unfortunately it’s not so exciting winning the gold medal like that”. She spoke about the game adding “We had a very tough match against this team in pool-play and we were able to beat them; today they brought another look at the gold medal, winning the first set. I think we could have gone to three and it would have been anyone’s game”.
Devanne was emotional speaking about winning her second NORCECA gold medal “the tournament in general was really cool, I am not very happy winning this way because we’ve become close friends with them and I feel very upset, they are great players, and I can’t wait to stand with them on the podium together”.
Amy Ozee and Kaylee Glagau of Canada took the bronze medal with a quick 2-0 (21-9, 21-6) victory over Nicaragua’s Socorro López and Valeska Hernández. This was their third medal this year, having won gold in Puerto Cortés and silver in the Dominican Republic.
Roskic-Licht CAN
Jade Race and Devanne Sours won their semifinal match 2-0 (21-14, 21-14) over Nicaragua’s Socorro López and Valeska Hernández. In the all-Canada semifinal, Dana Roskic and Anna Licht defeated Amy Ozee and Kaylee Glagau 2-0 (22-20, 21-17).
McGuire/Gray from the United States finished in fifth place with a 2-0 (21-19, 21-12) win over Alvarado/Aguilar from Guatemala. Buckner/Valenciana of the U.S. Virgin Islands took seventh place after Vigil/Tovar (ESA) forfeited.
Molina/Sofi V from Costa Rica finished in tenth place after defeating El Salvador’s Guzman/Medina 2-0 (21-14, 21-14). Aguilar/Arce from Costa Rica beat Smith/Lumsden from Jamaica 2-0 (21-15, 21-18) for eleventh and twelfth positions. Nicaragua’s Resau/Yuliana secured the thirteenth spot with a win over Funes/Donni from El Salvador Salvador 2-1(21-11, 15-21, 18-16).
SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador, November 10, 2024.- Canadian Arran Chambers repeated his gold medal performance on the NORCECA Tour here in El Salvador, this time teaming up with Jake MacNeil to defeat the U.S. duo of Diego Perez and Ryan Ierna 2-0 (21-13, 21-13) at the eighth stop of the 2024 season, held from November 8 to 10 at the Flor Blanca Beach Sports Stadium.
Arran Chambers claimed his second NORCECA Tour gold medal, his first was also here in El Salvador last year alongside Liam Kopp. Just a week ago, Chambers and MacNeil took the silver medal in Bonaire.
Arran said, “El Salvador is my house”. He added “This is a special place for me, the tournament was organized beautifully, and it’s been such a pleasure to be here once again”. About the gold medal match he commented “We came out really hard, we trusted each other, and we just didn’t let our foot off the gas, we prepared really hard for this, played really focused and it showed”.
Arran Chambers CAN
Jake MacNeil praised Arran after winning the gold medal “Arran is an absolute monster at the net and made it really challenging for them up there”. He was really glad for Arran “it’s back-to-back champ for him and I luckily picked up the championship with him, he carried me all the way to the end”.
On their way to their second consecutive NORCECA Tour final, Jake MacNeil and Arran Chambers defeated fellow Canadians Luke De Greeff and Martin Licht in straight sets, 21-10, 21-18, in the semifinals.
Meanwhile, Diego Pérez and Ryan Ierna of the United States fought hard to beat Nicaragua’s Rubén Mora and Dany López 2-0 (21-19, 28-26) in a thrilling semifinal. Pérez and Ierna had previously won bronze this year in Puerto Cortés.
The bronze medal went to Canada’s Luke De Greeff and Martin Licht, who made a comeback to win 2-1 (16-21, 22-20, 15-12) over Nicaragua’s Rubén Mora and Dany López. This was De Greeff and Licht’s second medal on the Tour, having also won bronze last week in Bonaire.
De Greeff- Licht CAN
In fifth place, the U.S. Team Dew/Adamsen defeated El Salvador’s Guardado/Guardado 2-0 (21-12, 21-15). D. Dyner/Araya of Costa Rica finished in seventh place after defeating R. Vargas/Mejia of El Salvador 2-0 (21-18, 21-12).
Webb/Blake of Jamaica won a three-set match for ninth place, beating Lomeli/Van Siclen of the U.S. Virgin Islands 2-1 (11-21, 21-18, 15-12). For eleventh place, Gutierrez/López of Nicaragua defeated Theodore/Enile of Trinidad and Tobago 2-1 (21-12, 23-25, 15-10).
El Salvador’s Flores/Guatemala defeated Guatemala’s Blanco/Izaguirre 2-0 (21-19, 21-13) for thirteenth and fourteenth positions. Reyes/Serrano of Honduras finished in fifteenth place, winning 2-0 (21-14, 21-18) over Mingo/Frederick of Dominica.
SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador, November 7, 2024.- The two Canadian duos, López/Valeska from Nicaragua, and Race/Sours from the United States are set for the women’s semifinals at the eighth stop of the 2024 NORCECA Tour in El Salvador.
In Saturday’s semifinals, the two Canadian duos will face off: Dana Roskic and Anna Licht vs. Amy Ozee and Kaylee Glagau, while Socorro López and Valeska Hernández from Nicaragua will go up against Jade Race and Devanne Sours from the United States. Both matches are scheduled for 10:00 a.m.
Canada’s Dana Roskic and Anna Licht advanced to the semifinals with a comfortable 2-0 (21-10, 21-13) quarterfinal victory over Jessica McGuire and Ella Gray of the United States.
Anna Licht – Dana Roskic CAN a semis (1)
The other Canadian team, Amy Ozee and Kaylee Glagau, also won firmly over Paola Alvarado and Danna Aguilar of Guatemala, 2-0 (21-16, 21-9).
Nicaraguans Socorro López and Valeska Hernández came from behind to secure a semifinal spot with a 2-1 (17-21, 21-16, 15-10) win over Taylor Buckner and Melanie Valenciana of the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The U.S. duo Jade Race and Devanne Sours reached the semifinals by defeating El Salvador’s Daniela Vigil and Karla Tovar 2-0 (21-13, 21-11). Earlier, Race/Sours finished Pool B undefeated with a win over Costa Rica’s Aliza Aguilar/Crystell Arce, 2-0 (21-12, 21-10).
Socorro Lopez -Valeska Hernandez NCA (2)
In morning action, Canada’s Amy Ozee/Kaylee Glagau secured the top position in Pool C after defeating Nicaragua’s Socorro López/Valeska Hernández, 2-0 (21-13, 21-10).
In a hard-fought three-set match, Taylor Buckner and Melanie Valenciana from the U.S. Virgin Islands took first place in Pool D by beating Guatemala’s Paola Alvarado and Danna Aguilar 2-1 (19-21, 25-23, 15-7).
El Salvador’s Daniela Vigil and Karla Tovar advanced to the quarterfinals as Pool A runners-up after defeating Jamaica’s Petal Smith and Kristina Lumsden, 2-0 (21-12, 21-12).
In other pool-play action, Costa Rica’s Molina/Sofía V defeated El Salvador’s Funes/Donni, 2-0 (21-17, 21-19) in Group C, while El Salvador’s Guzman/Medina overcame Resau/Yuliana of Nicaragua, 2-1 (17-21, 21-14, 15-6).
Race-Sours USA
In the 9th/12th place classification matches, Costa Rica’s Molina/Sofía V defeated fellow Costa Ricans Aguilar/Arce, 2-0 (21-19, 21-18), and El Salvador’s Guzman/Medina beat Jamaica’s Smith/Lumsden, 2-0 (21-16, 21-18).
Results Day 2 Women:
POOL A: Vigil/Tovar (ESA) d Smith/Lumsden (JAM) 2-0 (21-12, 21-12)
POOL B: Race/Sours (USA) d Aguilar/Arce (CRC) 2-0 (21-12, 21-10)
POOL C: Ozee/Galgau (CAN) d Lopez/Valeska (NCA) 2-0 (21-13, 21-10) Molina/Sofi V (CRC) d Funes/Donni (ESA) 2-0 (21-17, 21-19)
POOL D: Buckner/Valenciana (ISV) d Alvarado/Aguilar (GUA) 2-1 (19-21, 25-23, 15-7); Guzmán/Medina (ESA) d Resau/Yuliana (NCA) 2-1 (17-21, 21-14, 15-6)
CLASSIFICATION MATCHES: POS 9/12 Molina/Sofi V (CRC) d Aguilar/Arce (CRC) 2-0 (21-19, 21-18); Guzman/Medina (ESA) d Smith/Lumsden (JAM) 2-0 (21-16, 21-18)
QUARTERFINALS: Roskic/Licht (CAN) d McGuire/Gray (USA) 2-0 (21-10, 21-13); Lopez/Valeska (NCA) d Buckner/Valenciana (ISV) 2-1 (17-21, 21-16, 15-10); Ozee/Glagau (CAN) d Alvarado/Aguilar (GUA) 2-0 (21-16, 21-9); Race/Sours (USA) d Vigil/Tovar (ESA) 2-0 (21-13, 21-11)
SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador, November 7, 2024.- Mora/López of Nicaragua, Perez/Ierna of the United States, and both Canadian teams have advanced to the men’s semifinals at the eighth stop of the NORCECA Tour, taking place at the Flor Blanca Beach Sports Stadium in El Salvador.
The semifinals will be held on Saturday at 9:15 a.m., with Rubén Mora and Dany López of Nicaragua facing Diego Perez and Ryan Ierna of the United States, while the Canadian teams of Martin Licht/Luke De Greeff and Jake MacNeil/Arran Chambers will battle face off.
Arram Chamber – Jake MacNeil CAN
Rubén Mora and Dany López earned their semifinal spot with a solid 2-0 (21-18, 21-8) victory over Daniel Dyner and Julian Araya of Costa Rica.
Americans Diego Perez and Ryan Ierna had an unsteady start in the quarterfinals but bounced back to defeat Yoel and Christopher Guardado of El Salvador 2-1 (18-21, 21-18, 15-9).
Martin Licht and Luke De Greeff secured their semifinal ticket with a 2-0 (21-12, 21-16) win over Rafael Vargas and Carlos Mejía of El Salvador.
Martin Licht – Luke de Greett CAN
In a spectacular comeback, Jake MacNeil and Arran Chambers defeated Dew Zephyr and Adamsen Cash of the United States 2-1 (13-21, 24-22, 15-13) to advance to the semifinals.
In pool-play ranking matches, Rubén Mora and Dany López of Nicaragua defeated Diego Perez and Ryan Ierna of the United States in a battle for first place in Pool B, winning 2-1 (19-21, 21-18, 15-11).
Canadians Jake MacNeil and Arran Chambers closed Pool C with a 2-0 (21-14, 21-12) victory over Isaac Theodore/Stephen Enile of Trinidad and Tobago, advancing to the quarterfinals.
Martin Licht/Luke De Greeff of Canada claimed first place in Pool D in a three-set effort, defeating the U.S. team of Dew Zephyr and Adamsen Cash 2-1 (18-21, 21-17, 15-12).
Yoel and Christopher Guardado of El Salvador took first place in Pool A, coming from behind in a thrilling battle against Costa Rica’s Daniel Dyner and Julian Araya 2-1 (24-26, 21-19, 18-16).
Rafael Vargas/Carlos Mejía reached the next round as Pool C runners-up with a 2-0 (21-14, 21-11) victory over Mingo/Frederick of Dominica.
Ruben Mora y Dani Lopez NCA
In other pool-play results, Gutierrez/López of Nicaragua defeated Reyes/Serrano of Honduras in three sets, 2-1 (16-21, 21-18, 15-6) in Group A. In Group B, Webb/Blake from Jamaica rallied to beat Flores/Guatemala (ESA), 2-1 (19-21, 21-18, 15-11). Lomeli/Van Siclen from the U.S. Virgin Islands defeated Blanco/Izaguirre of Guatemala 2-1 (21-15, 21-23, 15-11).
In the 13th/16th place classification matches, Flores/Guatemala of El Salvador defeated Mingo/Frederick of Dominica 2-0 (21-14, 21-11), while Blanco/Izaguirre of Guatemala won 2-0 (21-14, 27-25) over Reyes/Serrano of Honduras.
Lomeli/Van Siclen of the U.S. Virgin Islands triumphed over Gutierrez/López, 2-0 (21-16, 21-19), and Webb/Blake of Jamaica dominated Isaac Theodore/Stephen Enile of Trinidad and Tobago, 2-0 (21-19, 21-17). Both matches were for 9th/12th place.
Results Day 2 Men:
POOL A: Guardado/Guardado (ESA) d D. Dyner/Araya (CRC) 2-1 (24-26, 21-19, 18-16); Gutiérrez/López (NCA) d Reyes/Serrano (HON) 2-1 (16-21, 21-18, 15-6)
POOL B: Webb/Blake (JAM) d Flores/Guatemala (ESA) 2-1 (19-21, 21-18, 15-11) Mora/Lopez (NCA) d Perez/Ierna (USA) 2-1 (19-21, 21-18, 15-11)
POOL C: R Vargas/Mejia (ESA) d Mingo/Frederick (DMA) 2-0 (21-14, 21-11); MacNeil/Chambers (CAN) d Theodore/Enile (TTO) 2-0 (21-14, 21-12)
POOL D: Lomeli/Van Siclen (ISV) d Blanco/Izaguirre (GUA) 2-1 (21-15, 21-23, 15-11); De Greeff/Licht (CAN) d Dew/Adamsen (USA) 2-1 (18-21, 21-17, 15-12)
CLASSIFICATION MATCHES: POS 13/16 Flores/Guatemala (ESA) d Mingo/Frederick (DMA) 2-0 (21-14, 21-11); Blanco/Izaguirre (GUA) d Reyes/Serrano (HON) 2-0 (21-14, 27-25); POS 9/12 Lomeli/Van Siclen (ISV) d Gutierrez/Lopez (NCA) 2-0 (21-16, 21-19); Webb/Blake (JAM) d Theodore/Enile (TTO) 2-0 (21-19, 21-17)
QUARTERFINALS: De Greeff/Licht (CAN) d R Vargas/Mejia (ESA) 2-0 (21-12, 21-16); MacNeil/Chambers (CAN) d Dew/Adamsen (USA) 2-1 (13-21, 24-22, 15-13); Mora/Lopez (NCA) d D. Dyner/Araya (CRC) 2-0 (21-18, 21-8); Perez/Ierna (USA) d Guardado/Guardado (ESA) 2-1 (18-21, 21-18, 15-9)
SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador, November 8, 2024.- The two U.S. teams, U.S. Virgin Islands, Ozee/Glagau of Canada, López/Valeska of Nicaragua and Alvarado/Aguilar of Guatemala, off to a good start at the eighth stage of the NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour at the Beach Sports Stadium at the Flor Blanca Sports Complex in El Salvador.
In Pool A, Jessica McGuire and Ella Gray of USA kicked off the day with a 2-0 (21-12, 21-11) victory over Kristina Lumsde and Petal Smith of Jamaica and then they went on to beat Daniela Vigil and Karla Tovar de El Salvador 2-0 (21-16, 21-15), securing to move into the next round.
The other U.S. team, Jade Race/Devanne Sours, outplayed Canadians Dana Roskic and Anna Licht 2-0 (23-21, 21-19) who earlier earned a strong win 2-0 (21-12, 21-12) against Aliza Aguilar and Crystell Arce of Costa Rica in their first match in pool B.
Dana Roskic CAN – Jade Race USA 08
Race/Sours will play their last pool-play match against Aguilar/Arce of Costa Rica.
Amy Ozee and Kaylee Glagau of Canada earned two wins in Pool C; first they beat Valentina Molina and Sofia Vega of Costa Rica 2-0 (21-12, 12-16) and then prevailed 2-0 (21-8, 21-12) over Dana Funes/Donnina Argueta of El Salvador.
Also in Pool C, Socorro López with Valeska Hernández of Nicaragua dominated Molina/Sofía V of Costa Rica 2-0 (21-15, 21-12) and Funes/Donni of El Salvador 2-0 (21-9, 21-18).
Ozee/Glagau and López/Valeska will face off for first place in Pool C.
In Pool D, Taylor Buckner and Melanie Valenciana of the U.S. Virgin Islands also earned two wins, after defeating Ella Resau and Yuliana Chávez of Nicaragua 2-0 (21-13, 21-13) and Keiry Guzmán/Devora Medina of El Salvador (21-9, 21-15).
The other undefeated pair of Pool D was Paola Alvarado and Danna Aguilar of Guatemala, with victories against Guzmán/Medina of El Salvador 2-0 (21-15, 21-16), and to Resau/Yuliana of Nicaragua 2-0 (21-11, 21-16).
Dana Funes ESA- Kaylee Glagau CAN
First place in Pool D will be decided between Buckner/Valenciana and Alvarado/Aguilar.
Pool-play will resume on Saturday. The top two places of each pool advance to the quarterfinals on Saturday afternoon.
Results Day 1 Women:
POOL A: McGuire/Gray (USA) d Lumsden/Smith (JAM) 2-0 (21-12, 21-11); McGuire/Gray (USA) d Vigil/Tovar (ESA) 2-0 (21-16, 21-15)
POOL B: Roskic/Licht (CAN) d Aguilar/Arce (CRC) 2-0 (21-12, 21-12); Race/Sours (USA) d Roskic/Licht (CAN) 2-0 (23-21, 21-19)
POOL C: Lopez/Valeska (NCA) d Molina/Sofi V (CRC) 2-0 (21-15, 21-12); Ozee/Glagau (CAN) d Molina/Sofi V (CRC) 2-0 (21-12, 21-16) Ozee/Glagau (CAN) d Funes/Donni (ESA) 2-0 (21-8, 21-12); Lopez/Valeska (NCA) d Funes/Donni (ESA) 2-0 (21-9, 21-18)
POOL D: Buckner/Valenciana (ISV) d Resau/Yuliana (NCA) 2-0 (21-13, 21-13); Alvarado/Aguilar (GUA) d Guzman/Medina (ESA) 2-0 (21-15, 21-16); Buckner/Valenciana (ISV) d Guzman/Medina (ESA) 2-0 (21-9, 21-15); Alvarado/Aguilar (GUA) d Resau/Yuliana (NCA) 2-0 (21-11, 21-16)
SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador, November 8, 2024.- Both teams from Canada and the United States, the Guardado brothers from El Salvador, Mora/López from Nicaragua, and Costa Rica remain undefeated on the first day, advancing to the men’s quarterfinals of the eighth stop of the NORCECA Tour at the Beach Sports Stadium in the Flor Blanca Sports Complex in El Salvador.
El Salvador’s Yoel and Christopher Guardado triumphed over Nicaragua’s Axel Gutiérrez and Jesy Umaña 2-0 (21-15, 22-20) and also defeated Irvin Reyes and Manuel Serrano of Honduras 2-0 (21-15, 21-14).
Costa Rica’s Daniel Dyner and Julian Araya had to give their all to come back and secure a hard-fought victory against Reyes/Serrano of Honduras, winning 2-1 (24-26, 21-16, 20-18) in their first appearance. The Costa Rican duo then defeated Gutiérrez/López 2-0 (21-17, 21-19).
Daniel Dyner CRC – Irvin Reyes HON
The first place in Pool A will be decided between the Guardado twins and Dyner/Araya.
Rubén Mora and Dany López from Nicaragua, and Americans Diego Pérez and Ryan Ierna will face clash on Saturday for the top spot in Pool B following their two victories on Friday.
Mora/López started the competition by defeating Jamaicans Ryck Webb and Mark Blake 2-0 (21-12, 21-14) and Franklin Flores with Armando Guatemala from El Salvador 2-0 (21-16, 21-14). Meanwhile, Pérez/Ierna defeated Flores/Guatemala 2-0 (21-16, 21-15) and closed the day outperforming Webb/Blake 2-0 (21-15, 21-11).
Canadians Jake MacNeil and Arran Chambers in Pool C had little trouble overcoming Rafael Vargas and Carlos Mejía of El Salvador, winning 2-0 (21-12, 21-12), and defeated Dominica’s Mervel Mingo/Bill Frederick 2-0 (21-7, 21-6).
In Pool D, Dew Zephyr and Adamsen Cash from the United States defeated Marc Lomeli and Devin Van Siclen from the U.S. Virgin Islands 2-0 (21-15, 21-14) and Guatemala’s Andy Blanco and José Miguel Izaguirre 2-0 (21-15, 21-13).
Meanwhile, Canada’s Martin Licht/Luke de Greeff defeated Guatemalans Blanco/Izaguirre 2-0 (21-18, 21-12) and Lomeli/Van Siclen (ISV) 2-0 (21-18, 21-12).
Martin Licht CAN
The first place in Pool D will be decided between Dew/Adamsen and Licht/De Greeff.
Isaac Theodore and Stephen Enile from Trinidad and Tobago won a three-set battle 2-1 (21-15, 21-23, 15-11) against Dominica’s Mervel Mingo/Bill Frederick, but Vargas/Mejía from El Salvador fought hard to defeat them 2-0 (25-23, 21-15), splitting results in Pool C.
Pool-play will conclude on Saturday morning, with the top two teams from each pool advancing to the quarterfinals in the afternoon.
Results Day 1 Men:
POOL A: D. Dyner/Araya (CRC) d Reyes/Serrano (HON) 2-1 (24-26, 21-16, 20-18); Guardado/Guardado (ESA) d Gutierrez/Lopez (NCA) 2-0 (21-16, 22-20); D. Dyner/Araya (CRC) d Gutierrez/López (NCA) 2-0 (21-17, 21-19); Guardado/Guardado (ESA) d Reyes/Serrano (HON) 2-0 (21-15, 21-14)
POOL B: Mora/Lopez (NCA) d Webb/Blake (JAM) 2-0 (21-12, 21-14); Perez/Ierna (USA) d Franklin/Guatemala (ESA) 2-0 (21-16, 21-15); Mora/López (NCA) d Flores/Guatemala (ESA) 2-0 (21-16, 21-14); Perez/Ierna (USA) d Blake/Webb (JAM) 2-0 (21-15, 21-11).
POOL C: MacNeil/Chambers (CAN) d R. Vargas/Mejia (ESA) 2-0 (21-12, 21-12); R Vargas/Mejia (ESA) d Theodore/Enile (TTO) 2-0 (25-23, 21-15); MacNeil/Chambers (CAN) d Mingo/Frederick (DMA) 2-0 (21-7, 21-6)
POOL D: Dew/Adamsen (USA) d Lomeli/Van Siclen (ISV) 2-0 (21-15, 21-14); De Greeff/Licht (CAN) d Blanco/Izaguirre (GUA) 2-0 (21-18, 21-12); De Greeff/Licht (CAN) d Lomeli/Van Siclen (ISV) 2-0 (21-18, 21-12); Dew/Adamsen (USA) d Blanco/Izaguirre (GUA) 2-0 (21-15, 21-13)
SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador, November 7, 2024.- The Beach Sports Stadium at the Flor Blanca Sports Complex will host the NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour for the second year in a row, with the eighth stage of the 2024 season taking place from November 8 to 10.
Thirty teams are registered for the competition (16 men’s teams and 14 women’s teams).
Among the men’s teams, Canada’s Arran Chambers, who won the gold medal last year here in El Salvador, teams up with Jake MacNeil, with whom he won the silver medal just a week ago in Bonaire during the Tour’s seventh stop.
Preliminar USA Tour Norceca San Salvador
Also representing Canada, Martin Licht and Luke de Greef, who made their debut in the NORCECA Tour, winning the bronze medal in Bonaire.
Nicaragua’s Ruben Mora and Dany Lopez, champions in Puerto Cortés, as well as Diego Pérez and Ryan Ierna from the United States, bronze medalists in Puerto Cortés, are also competing.
On the women’s side, Devanne Sours, gold medalist in Bonaire, arrives in El Salvador with Jade Race, who has won two consecutive bronze medals on this year’s Tour (Puerto Cortés, Bonaire).
Canadian duos of Amy Ozee and Kaylee Glagau, champions in Puerto Cortés, along with Dana Roskic and Anna Licht, silver medalists in Bonaire.
Pool distribution is as follows:
Women:
Pool A: Daniela Vigil/Karla Tovar (ESA-1), Petal Smith/Kristina Lumsden (JAM), Jessica McGuire/Ella Gray (USA-2).
Pool B: Jade Race/Devanne Sours (USA-1), Aliza Aguilar/Crystell Arce (CRC-1), Dana Roskic/ Anna Licht (CAN-2).
Pool C: Amy Ozee/Kaylee Glagau (CAN-1), López/Valeska Hernández (NCA-1), Valentina Molina/Sofía Vega (CRC-2), Dana Funes/Donnina Argueta (ESA-3).
Pool D: Paola Alvarado/ Danna Aguilar (GUA), Taylor Buckner/Melanie Valenciana (ISV), Ella Resau/Yuliana Chávez (NCA-2), Keiry Guzmán/Devora Medina (ESA-2).
Men:
Pool A: Yoel Guardado /Christopher Guardado (ESA-1), Julian Araya/Daniel Dyner (CRC), Irvin Reyes/Manuel Serrano (HON), Axel Gutiérrez/Jesy Umaña López (NCA-2).
Pool B: Diego Pérez/Ryan Ierna (USA-1), Rubén Mora/Dany López (NCA-1), Ryck Webb/Mark Blake (JAM); Franklin Flores/Armando Guatemala (ESA-3).
Pool C: Jake MacNeil/Arran Chambers (CAN-1), Isaac Theodore/ Stephen Enile (TTO), Mervel Mingo/Bill Frederick (DMA), Rafael Vargas/Carlos Mejía (ESA-2).
Pool D: Andy Leonardo/José Miguel Izaguirre (GUA), Marc Lomeli/Devin Van Siclen (ISV), Dew Zephyr/Adamsen Cash (USA-2), Martin Licht/Luke de Greef (CAN-2).
The host competes with three teams per gender, led by twin brothers Yoel and Crhistopher Guardado, bronze medalists recently at the U23 NORCECA Tour in Punta Cana and third place during this year’s NORCECA Olympic qualifier.
Competition kicks off on Friday at 8:30 am.
Women’s Teams: Amy Ozee/Kaylee Glagau (CAN-1); Dana Roskic/ Anna Licht (CAN-2); Aliza Aguilar/Crystell Arce (CRC-1); Valentina Molina/Sofía Vega (CRC-2); Daniela Vigil/Karla Tovar (ESA-1); Keiry Guzmán/Devora Medina (ESA-2); Dana Funes/Donnina Argueta (ESA-3); Paola Alvarado/ Danna Aguilar (GUA); Petal Smith/Kristina Lumsden (JAM); Socorro López/Valeska Hernández (NCA-1); Ella Resau/Yuliana Chávez (NCA-2); Jade Race/Devanne Sours (USA-1); Jessica McGuire/Ella Gray (USA-2); Taylor Buckner/Melanie Valenciana (ISV).
Men’s Teams: Jake MacNeil/Arran Chambers (CAN-1); Martin Licht/Luke de Greef (CAN-2); Julian Araya/Daniel Dyner (CRC); Mervel Mingo/Bill Frederick (DMA); Yoel Guardado /Christopher Guardado (ESA-1); Rafael Vargas/Carlos Mejía (ESA-2); Franklin Flores/Armando Guatemala (ESA-3); Andy Leonardo/José Miguel Izaguirre (GUA); Irvin Reyes/Manuel Serrano (HON); Ryck Webb/Mark Blake (JAM); Rubén Mora/Dany López (NCA-1); Axel Gutiérrez/Jesy Umaña López (NCA-2); Isaac Theodore/ Stephen Enile (TTO); Diego Pérez/Ryan Ierna (USA-1); Dew Zephyr/Adamsen Cash (USA-2); Marc Lomeli/Devin Van Siclen (ISV).
BONAIRE, Bonaire, November 3, 2024.- Mushtaque Mohammed, President of the Caribbean Zonal Volleyball Association (CAZOVA) and Executive Vice President of NORCECA, received a recognition from the Bonaire National Volleyball Federation following the conclusion of the seventh stage of the 2024 NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour, held from November 1-3 on the beautiful island of Bonaire.
Gisette Emer, Vice President of CAZOVA and President of the Bonaire National Volleyball Federation, presented Mohammed with the distinction alongside medal-winning athletes at the end of the awards ceremony.
In her remarks to Mohammed, Gisette Emer praised his role as a key ally for the Bonaire Federation and his ongoing commitment to strengthening the sport in the region. “Mushtaque’s collaboration has a positive impact that has strengthened the volleyball community in Bonaire,” she said.
Two consecutive high-level competitive events were held on the island: the first CAZOVA Senior Beach Volleyball Championship on October 30, followed by the prestigious NORCECA Continental Tour with its seventh stage from November 1-3.
Both events were hosted at the Rudy Boezen complex in Bonaire, a beautiful facility with two sand courts and two warm-up courts built according to international standards.
Emer added that Mushtaque Mohammed’s role in facilitating the resources to develop volleyball and beach volleyball, not only in Bonaire but across CAZOVA member countries as well as the NORCECA Confederation, has been instrumental in positioning the region at a competitive level.
“Both events have been of high relevance, positioning Bonaire as a key destination for beach volleyball in the NORCECA region,” emphasized Gisette Emer. “Mushtaque Mohammed is a fundamental ally for the Bonaire Federation and his continuous effort to strengthen the sport in the region”.
For his part, Mohammed expressed his appreciation, stating, “The tireless dedication and effort that Gisette puts forth as head of the Bonaire Federation have allowed these events to be such a success”.
He also remarked that Bonaire is a foremost example of sporting growth in the region and underscored the importance of continuing this collaboration for future events. “Gisette has been involved in Bonaire volleyball for seven years, driving the sport’s growth and strengthening its presence in the region,” he said.
The collaboration between both parties serves as a model of how dedication and joint efforts can elevate the quality and reach of volleyball in the Caribbean.
BONAIRE, Bonaire, November 3, 2024.- Carly Kan and Devanne Sours of the United States took the gold medal of the seventh stage of the 2024 NORCECA Tour that took place at the Rudy Boezen complex in Bonaire from November 1-3, defeating Dana Roskic and Anna Licht of Canada 2-0 (21-18,21-15).
This is Carly’s second gold medal in NORCECA, she won in La Paz in 2022, while for Devanne it’s her first NORCECA. For Dana Roskic and Anna Licht, silver medal winners, it’s their first international competition.
“It feels good, it’s nice to be back competing in NORCECA,” said Carly. About the gold medal match she expressed “in the first set we were making a lot of plays but no converting on them but luckily we had enough to overtake the first set and then we found our rhythm”.
All Winners
Devanne said, “this is my first NORCECA ever and winning a gold medal is very fun in such a nice atmosphere”. Speaking about their performance she added that they had to really turn on their minds, “in the days before we didn’t have much of a challenge so it was hard mentally to make sure we were both ready to play, we did good in the semifinals against the other Americans and then we needed to work on some small things for to keep it up in this last match”.
In the all-USA semifinal, Carly Kan and Devanne Sours bounced back from losing the first set to beat Jade Race and Kaely Crews 2-1 (20-22, 21-18, 15-9).
Roskic/Licht advanced to the gold medal match beating Natalia Giron/Paola Alvarado of Guatemala 2-0 (21-15, 21-16) in semifinals.
Jade Race and Kealy Crews won the bronze medal over Natalia Girón and Paola Alvarado 2-0 (21-19, 21-16). Jade won back-to-back bronze, she finished third in Puerto Cortés, Honduras and for Kealy it was her first NORCECA. In pool-play Race/Crews lost to Girón/Alvarado.
For fifth place, Cristina Almeida-Anz/Amber Bennett of the U.S. Virgin Islands downed Lakisha Hous/Dyveke Brugman (CUR) 2-0 (21-8, 21-16).
USA Teams
Seventh place went to Asma Charles/Kristianna Richards of Trinidad and Tobabo in a battle to three sets 2-1 (13-21, 22-20, 15-10) against Dei Padmore/Serena Edwards of Barbados.
Maria Kuijt/Linde Groot took ninth place over Valeria Villa Morales/Danna Arteaga 2-0 (21-8, 21-16); both teams from Bonaire.
BONAIRE, Bonaire, November 3, 2024.- Jake Urrutia and Wyatt Harrison of the United States won the championship match of the seventh stage of the 2024 NORCECA Tour in Bonaire over Jake MacNeil and Arran Chambers of Canada 2-1 (21-13, 16-21, 15-10).
This is Jake’s and Wyatt’s first medal as a team.
For Wyatt it’s his first gold medal in NORCECA, he previously has won two silver medals and a bronze medal.
Wyatt said it was a good match and that he’s played against Jake MacNeil a number of times and that they usually go to three sets, “we had a really strong start winning the first set with a big advantage, but we knew they are especially good in making adjustments, which they did forcing a third set”. Wyatt added they completely had to re-set and focus on the third set.
Podium Mens
Jake explained it was his first NORCECA this year, “last year I didn’t get to play too many NORCECA and I finished in second place when I did, so it’s nice to come with a new partner and getting a gold is exciting because we’re heading into a couple of big tournaments next week in Asia”. Jake added that it was a good competition, and that MacNeil and Chambers are a great team to face “we played against them twice and both matches were very close”.
In pool-play, Urrutia and Harrison also overtook MacNeil and Chambers in three sets.
Jake Urrutia/Wyatt Harrison won their semifinal match in three sets 2-1 (18-21, 21-15, 15-12) to Charles Siragusa/John Schwengel.
Jake MacNeil and Arran Chambers reached the gold medal match winning in semifinals to fellow countrymen Martin Licht/Luke de Greeff 2-1 (21-18, 19-21, 15-9) who went on to winning their first medal in NORCECA defeating USA’s Charles Siragusa and John Schwengel 2-1 (21-19, 16-21, 18-16) in the bronze medal match.
Andy Blanco/Luis García of Guatemala finished fifth place with a 2-0 (21-19, 21-18) victory against Haile-Emmanual Turney/Dominic Durant of Barbados.
Seventh place went to William Clements/Garrett Bucklin of the U.S. Virgin Islands after defeating Stephen Enile/Isaac Theodore of Trinidad and Tobago 2-0 (21-6, 21-15).
Aruba’s Eddy Toro Maldonado/Thelion Coutinho took position nine over Luiyi E. MoaralesMonsalve/Savyo Antonio Benjamin of Bonaire 2-0 (21-15, 21-15).
All Winners
Ethwinson Luis/Dimanche Elsevijf of Curaçao beat Emmanuel Montenegro/Josue Mejía of Bonaire 2-0 (21-7, 21-13) for eleventh place.
BONAIRE, Bonaire, November 2, 2024.-Race/Crews and Kan/Sours of United States, Girón/Alvarado of Guatemala and Licht/Roskic of Canada reached the women’s semifinals of the seventh stage of the 2024 NORCECA Tour in Bonaire.
In Sunday’s semifinals, Anna Licht and Dana Roskic of Canada go up against Natalia Girón and Paola Alvarado of Guatemala at 9:00 am, followed by an all-USA semifinal between Jade Race and Kaely Crews and Carly Kan and Devanne Sours at 9:45 am.
Jade Race and Kaely Crews of United States moved into semifinals defeating Dei Padmore/Serena Edwards of Barbados 2-0 (21-15, 21-13). Earlier on Saturday, Race/Crews took third place in Pool B after defeating Gabriela Ramirez/María Fernanda Becerra (BON) 2-0 (21-1, 21-3).
USA #2 Sours going over line
Carly Kan and Devanne Sours of United States overpowered Asma Charles/Kristianna Richards of Trinidad and Tobago by a dominant 21-3, 21-3 in quarterfinals. In the morning session, Kan/Sours beat Cristina Almeida-Anz and Bennett of the U.S. Virgin Islands 2-0 (21-10, 21-7), finishing first and second place in Pool C respectively.
Guatemala’s Natalia Girón and Paola Alvarado advance to the semifinals after defeating Cristina Almeida-Anz and Bennett of the U.S. Virgin Islands 2-0 (21-8, 21-10) in quarterfinals.
Anna Licht and Dana Roskic of Canada reached quarterfinals beating Guatemala’s Natalia Girón and Paola Alvarado 2-0 (21-16, 21-16) for first place in Pool B and then advanced to the semifinals with a 21-8, 21-8 victory against Lakisha Hous and Dyveke Brugman of Curaçao who earlier took third place in Pool C beating Valeria Morales/Danna Arteaga of Bonaire 2-0 (21-9, 21-6).
In placement matches, Morales/Arteaga defeated Ramírez/Becerra 2-0 (21-11, 21-12), both pairs from Bonaire, and will face Kuijt/Groot on Sunday for ninth place. Almeida-Anz/Bennett (ISV) defeated Padmore/Edwards (BAR) 2-1 (22-20, 19-21, 15-8) and will compete for fifth place against Brugman/Hous (CUR), who overcame Charles/Richards (TTO) in an exciting three-set match 2-1 (21-15, 19-21, 15-11). Trinidad and Tobago will face Barbados for seventh place.
GUA #2 Alvarado scoring cross
Results Day 2 Women:
POOL B: Roskic/Licht (CAN) d N. Giron/Alvarado (GUA) 2-0 (21-16, 21-16); Race/Crews (USA) d Ramirez/Becerra (BON) 2-0 (21-1, 21-3). POOL C: Kan/Sours (USA) d Almeida-Anz/Bennett (ISV) 2-0 (21-10, 21-7); Brugman/Hous (CUR) d Morales/Arteaga (BON) 2-0 (21-9, 21-6).
QUARTERFINALS: Race/Crews (USA) d Padmore/Edwards (BAR) 2-0 (21-15, 21-13); Girón/Alvarado (GUA) d Almeida-Anza/Bennett (ISV) 2-0 (21-8, 21-10); Kan/Sours (USA) Charles/Richards (TTO) 2-0 (21-3, 21-3); Roskic/Licht (CAN) d Brugman/Hous (CUR) 2-0 (21-8, 21-8). LOSER QUARTERFINALS: Morales/Arteaga d Ramírez/Becerra 2-0 (21-11, 21-12); LOSERS SEMIFINALS: Almeida-Anz/Bennett (ISV) d Padmore/Edwards (BAR) 2-1 (22-20, 19-21, 15-8); Brugman/Hous CUR d Charles/Richards (TTO) 2-1 (21-15, 19-21, 15-11).
BONAIRE, Bonaire, November 2, 2024.- The two teams from Canada and United States advanced to the men’s semifinals of the seventh stage of the 2024 NORCECA Tour in Bonaire.
Martin Licht/Luke de Greef and Jake MacNeil/Arran Chambers of Canada play the first semifinal on Sunday at 9:00 am. USA’s Charles Siragusa/John Schwengel and Jake Urrutia/Wyatt Harrison meet at 9:45 am in the other semifinal.
The first team to move into semifinals was Martin Licht/Luke de Greef of Canada after winning their quarterfinal match against Haile-Emmanual Turney/Dominic Durant of Barbados 2-0 (21-11, 21-11).
In pool-play earlier, Martin Licht and Luke de Greef won Pool A over Stephen Enile/Isaac Theodore of Trinidad and Tobago 2-0 (21-16, 21-14).
USA #1 Urrutia in reception
The other Canadian team, Jake MacNeil and Arran Chambers, reached the semifinals with a 2-0 (21-15, 21-13) win over William Clements/Garrett Bucklin of the U.S. Virgin Islands
USA’s Charles Siragusa and John Schwengel, who went 3-0 in Pool C after beating Ethy/Elsevijf of Curaçao 2-0 (21-11, 21-9), outplayed Enile/Isaac Theodore of Trinidad and Tobago 2-0 (21-15, 21-9) to win their spot in the semifinals.
Americans Jake Urrutia and Wyatt Harrison started the day with a tough battle for first place in Pool B, beating Jake MacNeil and Arran Chambers of Canada 2-1 (21-13, 18-21, 15-10). In quarterfinals Urrutia/Harrisson succeeded 2-0 (21-13, 21-14) against Andy Blanco/Luis García of Guatemala.
Earlier, second place in Pool C went to William Clements and Garrett Bucklin of the U.S. Virgin Islands after battling hard to recover from losing the first set to Andy Leonardo Blanco/Luis García of Guatemala 2-1 (19-21, 21-19, 15-11). For both teams this was their second match in a row that went overtime.
Turney/Dominic of Barbados moved into quarterfinals as third place in Pool B defeating Montenegro/Mejia of Bonaire 2-0 (21-8, 21-9).
Eddy Toro/Thelion Coutinho of Aruba prevailed 2-0 (21-15, 21-12) against Luiyi Morales Monsalve/Savyo Antonio Benjamin of Bonaire for third place in Pool A.
GUA #2 Garcia in reception
In placing matches, Morales/Monsalve/Savyo beat Montenegro/Mejía 2-0 (21-10, 21-9), both teams from Bonaire. Aruba’s Toro/Coutinho prevailed in three sets 2-1 (16-21, 24-22, 15-12). against Ethy/Elsevijf (CUR). On Sunday, Montenegro/Mejía face Ehty/Elsevijf for eleventh place, while Morales Monslave/Savyo go against Toro/Coutinho for ninth place.
Turney/Dominic of Barbados won against Clements/Bucklin (ISV) 21-0, 21-0 and Blanco/Garcia (GUA) beat Enile/Theodore (TTO) 2-0 (21-13, 21-13). TTO and ISV will play for seventh place. Turney/Dominic (BAR) and Blanco/Garcia (GUA) face-off for fifth place.
Results Day 2 Men:
POOL A: Toro/Coutinho ARU d Morales Monsalve/Savyo (BON) 2-0 (21-15, 21-12); Licht/de Greeff (CAN) d Enile/Theodore 2-0 (21-16, 21-14); POOL B: Urrutia/Harrison (USA) d MacNeil/Chambers (CAN) 2-1 (21-13, 18-21, 15-10); Turney/Dominic (BAR) d Montenegro/Mejia (BON ) 2-0 (21-8, 21-9); POOL C: Clements/Bucklin (ISV) d Blanco/Garcia (GUA) 2-1 (19-21, 21-19, 15-11); Siragusa/Schwengel (USA) d Ethy/Elsevijf (CUR) 2-0 (21-11, 21-9); QUARTERFINALS: Licht/de Greeff (CAN) d Turney/Dominic (BAR) 2-0 (21-11, 21-11); MacNeil/Chambers (CAN) d Clements/Bucklin (ISV) 2-0 (21-15, 21-13); Siragusa/Schwengel (USA) d Enile/Theodore (TTO) 2-0 (21-15, 21-9); Urrutia/Harrison (USA) d Blanco/García (GUA) 21-13, 21-14); QUARTERFINAL LOSERS: Morales/Monsalve/Savyo (BON) d Montenegro/Mejía (BON) 2-0 (21-10, 21-9); Toro/Coutinho (ARU) d Ethy/Elsevijf (CUR) 2-1 (16-21, 24-22, 15-12). SEMIFINAL LOSERS: Turney/Dominic (BAR) d Clements/Bucklin (ISV) 2-0 (21-0, 21-0); Blanco/Garcia (GUA) d Enile/Theodore 2-0 (21-13, 21-13).
BONAIRE, Bonaire, November 1. 2024.- Padmore/Edwards of Barbados, Roskic/Licht of Canada, Giron/Alvarado of Guatemala, Kan/Sours of USA and Almeida-Anz/Bennett of the U.S. Virgin Islands enjoyed victories in their two outings on day one of the seventh stage of the 2024 NORCECA Tour in Bonaire.
Dei Padmore and Serena Edwards of Barbados won their two matches in Pool A, prevailing 2-0 (9, 21-14) against Asma Charles/Kristianna Richards of Trinidad and Tobago, and 2-0 (21-18, 2-10) over Maria Kuijt/Linde Groot of Bonaire, securing their place in the quarterfinals.
In Pool B, Canadians Dana Roskic and Anna Licht battled hard to overcome USA’s Jade Race/Kaely Crews 2-1 (27-25, 19-21, 15-11) after they easily saw off Gabriela Ramírez/María Fernanda Becerra (BON) 2-0 (21-7, 21-3).
BAR #2 Edwards going high line vs TTO
Race/Crews (USA) started the event with loss to Guatemala’s Natalia Girón and Paola Alvarado 2-0 (21-14, 21-16) who ended the day with a solid victory 2-0 (21-1, 21-2) against Ramírez/Becerra of Bonaire.
Giron/Alvarado and Roskic/Licht will clash on Saturday at 9:00 am for first place in Pool B.
Carly Kan alongside Devanne Sours of United States and Cristina Almeida-Anz with Amber Bennett of the U.S. Virgin Islands are both unbeaten and are set to play for top spot in Pool C at 10:30 am.
Kan/Sours (USA) showed superiority beating Lakisha Hous/Dyveke Brugman of Curaçao 2-0 (21-6, 21-8) and Valeria Morales/Danna Arteaga of Bonaire 2-0 (21-2, 21-2)
Almeida-Anz/Benner (ISV) needed three sets to dominate Curaçao’s Hous/Brugman 2-1 (21-17, 19-21, 15-8), and then claimed a 2-0 (21-4, 21-7) victory over the local team of Morales/Arteaga.
ISV #1 Almeida in stretched defense
Asma Charles/Kristianna Richards of Trinidad and Tobago advanced to the next round finishing second in Pool A after a tough win 2-0 (21-19, 22-20) over Bonaire’s Maria Kuijt/Linde Groot.
Pool-play will resume at the Rudy Boezen complex on Saturday morning. The top two teams from each pool and the best two third-placed teams advance to the quarterfinals to be held later in the day.
Results Day 1 Women:
POOL A: Padmore/Edwards (BAR) d Charles/Richards (TTO) 2-0 (21-9, 21-14); Padmore/Edwards (BAR) d Kuijt/Groot (BON) 2-0 (21-18, 21-10); Charles/Richards (TTO) d Kuijt/Groot (BON) 2-0 (21-19, 22-20); POOL B: N. Giron/Alvarado (GUA) d Race/Crews (USA) 2-0 (21-14, 21-16); Licht/Roskic (CAN) d Ramírez/ Becerra (BON) 2-0 (21-7, 21-3); Licht/ Roskic (CAN) d Race/Crews (USA) 2-1 (27-25, 19-21, 15-11); N. Giron/Alvarado (GUA) d Ramírez/ Becerra (BON) 2-0 (21-1, 21-2); POOL C: Almeida-Anz/Amber Bennett (ISV) d Brugman/Hous (CUR) 2-1 (21-17, 19-21, 15-8); Kan/Devanne (USA) d Morales/Arteaga (BON) 2-0 (21-2, 21-2); Kan/Sours (USA) d Hous/Brugman (CUR) 2-0 (21-6, 21-8); Almeida-Anz/Bennett (ISV) d Morales/Arteaga (BON) 2-0 (21-4, 21-7).
BONAIRE, Bonaire, November 1, 2024.- Both teams from Canada and the United States, as well as Trinidad and Tobago go undefeated on opening of the seventh stage of the 2024 NORCECA Tour at the Rudy Boezen complex in Bonaire.
Martin Licht/Luke de Greef of Canada lead Pool A taking down their both opponents of the day. The Canadian duo started the off the competition beating Luiyi E. Morales Monsalve/Savyo Benjamin of Bonaire 2-0 (21-5, 21-14) and closed with a 2-0 (21-12, 21-13) win against Toro Maldonado/Thelion Coutinho of Aruba.
In the same pool, Stephen Enile and Isaac Theodore of Trinidad and Tobago opened the event defeating Aruba’s Maldonado/Coutinho 2-0 (21-14, 21-14), followed by a strong performance over Morales Monsalve/Savyo 2-0 (21-11, 21-9).
USA #2 Schwengel huslting defense
Licht/de Greef and Enile/Theodore will battle for first place of Pool A at 9:45 am on Saturday.
Jake MacNeil and Arran Chambers, also from Canada, brushed aside Haile-Emmanual Turney/Dominic Durant of Barbados 2-0 (21-11, 21-13) and Emmanuel Montenegro/Josue Mejía of Bonaire 2-0 (21-0, 21-3), in their undefeated record in Pool B.
MacNeil/Chambers will challenge USA’s Jake Urrutia and Wyatt Harrison to top their pool at 10:30 on Saturday. Urrutia/Harrisson earned a 2-0 (21-1, 21-2) win over Montenegro/Josue Mejia and a 2-0 (21-14, 21-13) against Turney/Dominic.
Charles Siragusa and John Schwengel of United States had to battle both their matches in three sets to stand 2-0 in Pool C. The Americans first beat William Clements/Garrett Bucklin of the U.S. Virgin Islands 2-1 (21-16, 15-21, 15-9) and won the last match in the men’s field 2-1 (21-18, 27-29, 15-12) over Andy Leonardo Blanco and Luis Garcia of Guatemala.
CAN #1 Mac Neil in defense
Earlier, the Guatemalan duo Blanco/Garcia beat Ethwinson Luis/Dimanche Elsevijf of Curaçao 2-0 (21-13, 21-11). Clements/Bucklin also beat Ethy/Elsevijf 2-0 (21-14, 21-12). Guatemala and the U.S. Virgin Islands will meet on Saturday at 9:45 am to determine their final position in Pool C.
After pool-play is completed on Saturday, the first two places of each pool and the best two third placed teams will play in the quarterfinals.
BONAIRE, Bonaire, October 31, 2024.- The seventh stop of the 2024 NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour is ready to get underway at the Rudy Boezen complex in Bonaire from November 1-3.
Twenty three teams are registered for the event, representing nine countries. Teams are distributed in three pools per gender.
In the women’s field, Pool A consists of Dei Padmore/Serena Edwards of Barbados, Maria Kuijt/Linde Groot of Bonaire and Asma Charles/Kristianna Richards of Trinidad and Tobago.
Canadians Anna Licht/Dana Roskic lead Pool B, joined by Natalia Giron/Paola Alvarado of Guatemala, the U.S. team of Jade Race/Kaely Crews and Orlianys Gabriela Ramírez/María Fernanda Becerra of Bonaire.
Pool C has Carly Kan/Devanne Sours of the United States, Cristina Almeida-Anz/Amber Bennett of the U.S. Virgin Islands, Lakisha Hous/Dyveke Brugman of Curaçao and Valeria Villa Morales/Danna Arteaga of Bonaire.
Twelve teams will compete in men, with Luiyi E. Morales Monsalve/Savyo Antonio Benjamin of Bonaire, Aruba’s Eddy Toro Maldonado/Thelion Jahim Coutinho, Stephen Enile/Joel Isaac Theodore of Trinidad and Tobago, and Martin Licht/Luke de Greef of Canada in Pool A.
Pool B includes Jake Urrutia/Wyatt Harrison of the United States, Jake MacNeil/Arran Chambers of Canada, Haile-Emmanual Turney/Dominic Durant of Barbados and Emmanuel Montenegro/Josue Leonel Mejía of Bonaire.
In Pool C, William Clements/Garrett Bucklin of the U.S. Virgin Islands, Andy Leonardo/Luis García of Guatemala, Ethwinson Luis/Dimanche Elsevijf of Curaçao and Charles Siragusa/John Schwengel of the United States.
Twenty four pool-play matches are scheduled for the first day of competition, twelve per gender, starting at 9:00 am local time.
Women’s Teams: Dei Padmore/Serena Edwards (BAR); Maria Kuijt/Linde Groot (BON-1); Valeria Villa Morales/Danna Arteaga (BON-2); Orlianys Gabriela Ramírez/María Fernanda Becerra (BON-3); Anna Licht/Dana Roskic (CAN); Lakisha Hous/Dyveke Brugman (CUR); Natalia Giron/Paola Alvarado (GUA); Asma Charles/Kristianna Richards (TTO); Carly Kan/Devanne Sours (USA-1); Jade Race/Kaely Crews (USA-2); Cristina Almeida-Anz/Amber Bennett (ISV).
Men’s Teams: Eddy Toro Maldonado/Thelion Jahim Coutinho (ARU); Haile-Emmanual Turney/Dominic Durant (BAR); Luiyi E. Morales Monsalve/Savyo Antonio Benjamin (BON-1); Emmanuel Montenegro/Josue Leonel Mejía (BON-2); Jake MacNeil/Arran Chambers (CAN-1); Martin Licht/Luke de Greef (CAN-2); Ethwinson Luis/Dimanche Elsevijf (CUR); Andy Leonardo/Luis García (GUA); Stephen Enile/Joel Isaac Theodore (TTO); Jake Urrutia/Wyatt Harrison (USA-1); Charles Siragusa/John Schwengel (USA-2); William Clements/Garrett Bucklin (ISV).
BONAIRE, Bonaire, October 31, 2024.- Stephen Enile and Isaac Theodore of Trinidad and Tobago are the Champions of the first-ever Caribbean Zonal Volleyball Association (CAZOVA) Senior Beach Volleyball Champions held in Bonaire.
Enile and Theodore earned the gold medal on October 31st defeating Eddy Toro Maldonado/Thelion Jahim Coutinho of Aruba 2-0 (21-18, 21-16) in the gold medal match.
The tournament took place at the Rudy Boezen complex in Bonaire, a beautiful site with two sand courts and two warm-up courts built under international regulations and is set to host other regional events, including the seventh stage of the 2024 NORCECA Tour that runs from November 1-3.
“We had an interesting day, we started off a bit slow, which we didn’t anticipate” Isaac Theodore said after winning the gold medal. “We were able to recover, and we are really happy for the wins. Aruba did their best and we tried our best to stay focused and come out with the win” he added.
Stephen Enile agreed with his partner about their slow start in the tournament, “we played our best in the semifinals, we came out with a very good win to put us in the final match; we showed what we came here to do, “win” and we’re grateful for nothing more than that”.
Stephen Enile and Isaac Theodore of Trinidad and Tobago made a comeback in semifinals over Emmanual Turney and Dominic Durant of Barbados 2-1 (16-21, 21-10, 15-11). While Aruba’s Eddy Toro Maldonado and Thelion Jahim Coutinho controlled Ethwinson Luis and Dimanche Elsevijf of Curaçao 2-0 (21-18, 21-18).
The bronze medal went to Emmanual Turney/Dominic Durant of Barbados who came from behind 2-1 (15-21, 21-18, 15-13) against Ethwinson Luis/Dimanche Elsevijf of Curaçao. In the third set they reached an even 11 and 13, but Turney/Dominic were victorious.
The CAZOVA champs, finished pool-play second in Pool B while earning a dominant win 2-0 (21-6, 21-4) over Emmanuel Montenegro/Josue Mejía of Bonaire. Earlier they fell to Curaçao’s Ethwinson Luis and Dimanche Elsevijf in three sets 1-2 (20-22,21-17, 12-15).
Emmanual Turney and Dominic Durant of Barbados advanced to the semifinals as winners of Pool A. In pool-play Turney/Dominic also prevailed 2-0 (21-17, 21-18) over the home team of Luiyi E. Morales Monsalve/Savyo Antonio Benjamin and then 2-0 (21-13, 21-16) against Aruba’s Eddy Toro Maldonado/Thelion Jahim Coutinho.
Curaçao’s Ethwinson Luis and Dimanche Elsevijf topped Pool B, starting their campaign with the battled win in three sets to Enile/Theodore (TTO). Next, they overpowered Emmanuel Montenegro /Josue Mejía of Bonaire 2-0 (21-4, 21-10).
The number one seeded team of the event, Eddy Toro and Thelion Coutinho of Aruba finished second in Pool A. First, they were tested to the limit in their first outing by Morales Monsalve/Savyo of Bonaire. With the support of his students, Luiyi Morales with his teammate Josue Mejía forced the match to an overtime, but Toro/Coutinho came out on top 2-1 (21-11, 17-21, 15-8).
Final standings: 1. Stephen Enile/Joel Isaac Theodore (TRINIDAD Y TOBAGO); 2. Eddy Toro Maldonado/Thelion Jahim Coutinho (ARUBA); 3. Haile-Emmanual Turney/Dominic Durant (BARBADOS); 4. Ethwinson Luis/Dimanche Elsevijf (CURAÇAO); 5. Emmanuel Montenegro Sánchez/Josue Leonel Mejía Navarro (BONAIRE-1); 6. Luiyi E. Morales Monsalve/Savyo Antonio Benjamin Verolme (BONAIRE-2).
Results:
Pool A: Toro/Coutinho (ARU) d Morales Monsalve/Savyo (BON) 2-1 (21-11, 17-21, 15-8); Turney/Dominic (BAR) d Morales Monsalve/Savyo (BON) 2-0 (21-17, 21-18); Turney/Dominic d Toro/Coutinho (ARU) 2-0 (21-13, 21-16).
Pool B: Enile/Theodore (TTO) de Montenegro/Mejia (BON) 2-0 (21-6, 21-4); Elsevijf/Ethy (CUR) d Enile/Theodore (TTO) 2-1 (22-20, 17-21, 15-12); Elsevijf/Ethy (CUR) d Montenegro/Mejía (BON) 2-0 (21-4, 21-10).
Semifinals: Enile/Theodore (TTO) d Turney/Dominic (BAR) 2-1 (16-21, 21-10, 15-11); Toro/Coutinho (ARU) d Elsevijf/Ethy (CUR) 2-0 (21-18, 21-18)
BONAIRE, Bonaire, October 31, 2024.- Dei Padmore and Serena Edwards of Barbados won the first edition of the Caribbean Zonal Volleyball Association (CAZOVA) Senior Beach Volleyball Tournament in Bonaire.
Padmore and Edwards won the round-robin event, consisting of five teams, undefeated with a perfect 4-0 win-loss, at the Rudy Boezen complex, an impressive venue with two sand courts and two warm-up courts built with international standards.
Curaçao’s Lakisha Hous/Dhyveke Brugman took second place with three wins and one loss, and Asma Charles/Kristianna Richards of Trinidad and Tobago finished third with 2-2.
Dei Padmore alongside Serena Edwards of Barbados opened the women’s event defeating Bonaire’s Orlianys Ramirrez and María Fernanda Becerra 2-0 (21-13, 21-6), and then went on to dominate House/Brugman of Curaçao’s 2-0 (21-15, 21-9).
Padmore and Edwards celebrated their gold medal win, coming out on top Charles/Richards of Trinidad and Tobago 2-0 (21-13, 21-7).
Speaking about winning the first ever CAZOVA Senior Beach tournament, Dei Padmore expressed “it was very exciting, I am glad of having this experience with my partner and it’s a very big bless”.
Serena Edwards said the hardest match they played was against Curaçao, “their serves were pretty tough, because it’s a different volleyball playing style, but overall, it was a fair competition with some people pushing harder”.
Curaçao’s Lakisha Hous and Dhyveke Brugman recovered from losing the first set to Valeria Morales and Maria Medina of Bonaire, to win their opening match 2-1 (20-22, 21-10, 15-9).
Hous/Brugman then beat Charles/Richards (TTO) in overtime 2-1 (21-17, 20-22, 15-8).
The duo of Trinidad and Tobago, Asma Charles/Kristianna Richards, outplayed Ramirez/Becerra 2-0 (21-12, 21-6) and came from behind 2-1 (17-21, 21-12, 15-11) to beat Morales/Medina, both duos from Bonaire.
Final Standings: 1. Dei Padmore/Serena Edwards (BARBADOS); 2. Lakisha Hous/Dyveke Brugman (CURAÇAO); 3. Asma Charles/Kristianna Richards (TRINIDAD Y TOBAGO); 4. Valeria Villa Morales/Oscairys María Medina Jiménez (BONAIRE-1); 5. Orlianys Gabriela Ramírez Centeno/María Fernanda Becerra Caicedo (BONAIRE-2).
Results:
Padmore/Edwards (BAR) d Ramirez/Becerra (BON) 2-0 (21-13, 21-16); Hous/Brugman (CUR) d Morales/Medina (BON) 2-1 (20-22, 21-10, 15-9); Charles/Richards (TTO) d Ramirez/Becerra (BON) 2-0 (21-12, 21-6); Padmore/Edwards (BAR) d Hous/Brugman (CUR) 2-0 (21-15, 21-9); Charles/Richards (TTO) d Morales/Medina (BON) 2-1 (17-21, 21-12, 15-11); Hous/Brugman (CUR) d Ramirez/Becerra (BON) 2-0 (21-4, 21-10); Hous/Brugman (CUR) d Charles/Richards (TTO) 2-1 (21-17, 20-22, 15-8); Padmore/Edwards (BAR) d Morales/Medina (BON) 2-0 (21-12, 21-9); Padmore/Edwards (BAR) d Charles/Richards (TTO) 2-0 (21-13, 21-7); Morales/Medina (BON) d Ramirez/Becerra (BON) 2-0 (21-11, 21-15).
BONAIRE, Bonaire, October 30, 2024.- The beautiful island of Bonaire records history as it will host the first ever Caribbean Zonal Volleyball Association (CAZOVA) Senior Beach Volleyball Tournament at the Rudy Boezen complex on Thursday October 31.
Eleven teams will compete (6 male and 5 female) for the CAZOVA title, earning FIVB points and also compete at the seventh stage of the 2024 NORCECA Beach Tour to take place here in Bonaire from November 1-3.
CAZOVA President, Mushtaque Mohammed, was delighted to explain to the participating teams during the general technical meeting, that they are making history “you are all being part of CAZOVA’s history as the first teams to be part of the milestone for our zonal association and taking this important step in making this event a reality that has the full support of the NORCECA Confederation”.
Gisette Emer, Vice-president of CAZOVA and President of the Bonaire National Volleyball Federation, addressed the meeting with welcoming words, “I am glad to see you all here, some of you I already know, and others are first timers in which is our first ever CAZOVA Senior Beach Volleyball tournament. I thank you for being part of this new challenge, which will make us greater and better”.
In her greeting, Emer added “lets have fun, lets play, support each other and keep the ball flying to strengthen CAZOVA; enjoy the games”.
The male teams have been distributed in two pools, with Pool A consisting of Aruba, Barbados and Bonaire-1, and Pool B with Trinidad and Tobago, Curaçao and Bonaire-2.
The two top places in pool-play will play a crossover semifinal to determine the teams to contest for the bronze and gold medals.
The five teams in the women’s division will play a round-robin round to determine the final standing.
The one-day competition starts at 9:30.
Male Teams: Eddy Toro Maldonado/Thelion Jahim Coutinho (ARUBA); Haile-Emmanual Turney/Dominic Durant (BARBADOS); Emmanuel Montenegro Sanchez/Josue Leonel Mejia Navarro (BONAIRE-1); Luiyi E. Morales Monsalve/Savyo Antonio Benjamin Verolme (BONAIRE-2); Ethwinson Luis/Dimanche Elsevijf (CURAÇAO); Stephen Enile/Joel Issac Theodore (TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO).
Female Teams: Dei Padmore/Serena Edwards (BARBADOS); Valeria Villa Morales/Oscairys Maria Medina Jimenez (BONAIRE-1); Orlianys Gabriela Ramirez Centeno/Maria Fernanda Becerra Caicedo (BONAIRE-2); Lakisha Hous/Dyveke Brugman (CURAÇAO); Asma Charles/Kristianna Richards (TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO).
PUERTO CORTÉS, Honduras, October 20, 2024.- Amy Ozee and Kaylee Glagau from Canada claimed the gold medal at the sixth stop of the NORCECA Tour in Puerto Cortés, Honduras, defeating USA duo Katie Lindstrom and Tifanny Svenssohn 2-1 (21-19, 16-21, 15-12).
It was an exciting final, with Lindstrom playing spectacularly in defense, but Glagau’s offense was effective in securing the route to victory in the third set.
Amy Ozee/Kaylee Glagau, de Canada, vencieron 2-1 (21-19, 16-21, 15-12) a Katie Lindstrom/Tifanny Svenssohn, de USA, por la medalla de oro de la sexta parada del Tour Norceca en Puerto Cortes, Honduras
“I feel great. It’s been wonderful being here. I’ve never been to Honduras before, and the love and effort that everyone has put into this tournament is really special,” said Ozee.
“I can see how much it means to everyone here to host this tournament. It’s been amazing to experience it firsthand, and I’m grateful to have this opportunity,” she added.
Ozee/Glagau had lost the final in Punta Cana earlier in October to another U.S. team, Xolani Hode and Alexis Durish, but this time they stayed focused and secured the desired first place.
In semifinals, Ozee and Glagau defeated Sofía Vega and Eugenia Ramírez of Costa Rica 2-0 (21-17, 21-14), while Lindstrom and Svenssohn triumphed over fellow Americans Rachel Kramer and Jade Race 2-0 (21-9, 21-11).
In the bronze medal match, Kramer/Race (USA) won 2-0 (21-10, 21-19) over Sofi Vega/Ramírez (CRC).
Premacion de la sexta parada del Tour Norceca en Puerto Cortés, Honduras
Other Results:
Nahima Silva/Lolette Rodríguez from Nicaragua won 2-0 (21-14, 21-16) against Shana Rivera/Cecille Johnson (HON) and later won 2-0 (21-15, 21-14) over Sarah Penner/Melanie Valenciana from the U.S. Virgin Islands to secure fifth place.
Natalia Girón and Paola Alvarado from Guatemala lost 0-2 (13-21, 18-21) to Sarah Penner/Melanie Valenciana from the U.S. Virgin Islands, but secured seventh place by “walkover” against Shana Rivera/Cecille Johnson (HON).
PUERTO CORTÉS, Honduras, October 20, 2024. – Rubén Mora and Dany López of Nicaragua made history by claiming the gold medal at the sixth stop of the NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour, defeating Lev Priima/David Wieczoreck of the United States 2-0 (21-18, 21-16).
This was Mora’s second gold medal, the first was in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, on September 15, 2019, when he paired with Denis López to defeat the Mexican duo of José Luis Rubio/Josué Gaxiola.
Rubén Mora y Dany Lopez NCA
“It was an unfinished task for me because I had only won bronze medals. This is just the second gold medal for Nicaragua in the NORCECA Tour, which shows the level of difficulty of these tournaments, and it involves a lot of sacrifice and hard work,” said Dany López.
“The truth is, this requires a lot of sacrifice, and for Nicaragua, it’s very important to win this medal. Now we have two tournaments left where we hope to achieve good results,” López added.
Diego Pérez/Ryan Ierna from the United States won the bronze medal, defeating Bryce Mayer/Tyler Penberthy from the U.S. Virgin Islands 2-0 (21-14, 21-18).
In the semifinal, Mora/López defeated Bryce Mayer/Tyler Penberthy 2-0 (21-13, 21-17). Meanwhile, Lev Priima/David Wieczoreck prevailed in three sets (21-16, 16-21, 20-18) over Pérez/Ierna.
Rubén Mora y Dany Lopez NCA – Lev Priima /David Wieczoreck USA.
Other results:
Axel Gutiérrez and Denis López from Nicaragua won 2-0 (21-16, 21-13) against Edgar Maldonado/Luis Garcia of Guatemala, and then defeated Justin Solano/Esteban González from Costa Rica 2-0 (21-13, 21-17) for fifth place.
Justin Solano/Esteban González (CRC) won 2-0 (21-13, 21-13) against Irvin Reyes/Wilfredo Vega from Honduras. Edgar Maldonado/Luis Garcia from Guatemala defeated Irvin Reyes/Wilfredo Vega of Honduras 2-0 (21-19, 21-19) to secure seventh place.
PUERTO CORTÉS, Honduras, October 19, 2024. – The two teams from the United States will face off in the semifinals of the sixth stop of the NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour, ensuring a spot in the final, while the other semifinal will feature Costa Rica against Canada.
Katie Lindstrom/Tifanny Svenssohn from the United States defeated Shana Rivera/Cecille Johnson from Honduras 2-0 (21-6, 21-9) in quarterfinals and advanced to the semifinals, where they will face the other U.S. team Rachel Kramer/Jade Race, who beat Guatemala’s Natalia Girón and Paola Alvarado 2-0 (21-18, 21-19).
The other semifinal will feature Costa Rica’s Sofía Vega/Eugenia Ramírez, who won 2-1 (18-21, 21-18, 16-14) against Sarah Penner/Melanie Valenciana from the U.S. Virgin Islands. Their opponents will be Amy Ozee/Kaylee Glagau from Canada, who defeated Nicaragua’s Nahima Silva/Lolette Rodríguez 2-0 (21-18, 21-13) in quarterfinals.
The tournament had a delay of a little over two hours due to bad weather, which left the municipal courts in Puerto Cortés in poor condition. However, the Organizing Committee did an excellent job restoring them, ensuring the athletes’ safety and maintaining the quality of the event.
The semifinals will take place at 9:45 a.m. with the Canada vs. Costa Rica match, followed by the U.S. teams facing off at 10:30 a.m.
Tiffany Svensshn y Katie Lindtrom USA
Sunday Matches
Dyer/Gumbs (SKN) vs. Rodríguez/Cardona (HON) – 09:00
SF Ozee/Glagau (CAN) vs. Sofi V/Ramírez (CRC) – 09:45
SF Lindstrom/Svenssohn (USA) vs. Kramer/Race (USA) – 10:30
5-8 Classification N. Girón/Alvarado (GUA) vs. Penner/Valenciana (ISV)
5-8 Classification Silva/Lolette (NCA) vs. Rivera/Johnson (HON) – 12:00
7th-8th Place Match
5th-6th Place Match
Third-Place Match and Final
Pool-play Results, Saturday
Pool A: Rivera/Johnson (HON) vs. Silva/Lolette (NCA) 0-2 (16-21, 13-21)
Pool B: Smith/Lumsden (JAM) vs. Rodríguez/Cardona (HON) 2-1 (18-21, 21-18, 15-6); Lindstrom/Svenssohn (USA) vs. Sofi V/Ramírez (CRC) 2-0 (21-8, 21-14)
Pool C: Kramer/Race (USA) vs. Dyer/Gumbs (SKN) 2-0 (21-10, 21-7); Ozee/Glagau (CAN) vs. Penner/Valenciana (ISV) 2-0 (21-12, 21-16).
PUERTO CORTÉS, Honduras, October 19, 2024. – Three teams have already secured their spots in the semifinals of the sixth stop of the NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour: U.S. Virgin Islands, Nicaragua, and the United States, while the final ticket will be decided on Sunday.
The match between Lev Priima/David Wieczorek from the United States and Irvin Reyes/Wilfredo Vega from Honduras was suspended at the teams’ request due to poor visibility, as the day’s start was delayed by weather conditions.The Organizing Committee significantly improved the condition of the municipal courts in Puerto Cortés to ensure athletes safety and maintain the event’s quality.
The winner of this match will face the U.S. pair Diego Pérez/Ryan Ierna, who defeated Costa Rica’s Justin Solano/Esteban González 2-0 (21-15, 21-15) in the quarterfinals.
In the other quarterfinal matches, Bryce Mayer/Tyler Penberthy from the U.S. Virgin Islands won 2-0 (21-16, 21-17) against Guatemala’s Edgar Maldonado/Luis García and will face Nicaragua’s Rubén Mora/Dany López in the semifinals, who beat fellow Nicaraguans Axel Gutiérrez and Denis López 2-0 (21-18, 21-10).
Diego Pérez y Ryan Ierna USA
Sunday Matches
QF Priima/Wieczorek (USA) vs. Reyes/Vega (HON) – 8:00 a.m.
SF Mayer/Penberthy (ISV) vs. Mora/López (NCA) – 09:00
SF Pérez/Ierna (USA) vs. QF Winner – 10:30
5-8 Classification Maldonado/García (GUA) vs. Gutiérrez/López (NCA) – 9:45
5-8 Classification Solano/Esteban (CRC) vs. QF Loser – 11:15
9-10 Classification Rahnavard/Gannett (CAN) vs. Fernández/Moreira (HON) – 12:00 p.m.
7th-8th Place Match and 5th-6th Place Match
Third-Place Match and Final
Pool-play Results, Saturday
Pool A: Reyes/Vega (HON) vs. Maldonado/García (GUA) 0-2 (18-21, 18-21)
Pool B: Rahnavard/Gannett (CAN) vs. Mora/López (NCA) 0-2 (15-21, 17-21)
Pool C: Gutiérrez/López (NCA) vs. Fernández/Moreira (HON) 2-0 (21-12, 21-13); Mayer/Penberthy (ISV) vs. Pérez/Ierna (USA) 0-2 (19-21, 14-21).
PUERTOCORTÉS, Honduras, October 18, 2024 – The two teams from the United States remain undefeated at the sixth stop of the NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour in this city, which began on Friday with heavy rain but gradually gave way to better weather, allowing the athletes to deliver a great spectacle.
In Pool B, Lev Priima/David Wieczoreck from the USA secured two victories. First, they defeated Rubén Mora/Dany López (NCA) 2-0 (21-17, 21-16) and then, in one of the best matches of the day, they won in three sets 2-1 (21-18, 25-27, 15-6) against Rouzbeh Rahnavard/Tynan Gannett from Canada. On Saturday, Rahnavard/Gannett will face Mora/López at 9:50 a.m. to determine the second place in the group.
In Pool C, Diego Pérez/Ryan Ierna (USA) won 2-0 (21-14, 22-20) against Axel Gutiérrez/Denis López from Nicaragua, and then secured another 2-0 victory (21-11, 21-11) over Kenny Fernández/Germán Zelaya (HON), advancing to the quarterfinals. Bryce Mayer/Tyler Penberthy from the Virgin Islands also won 2-0 (21-7, 21-19) against Fernández/Zelaya but fell 0-2 (8-21, 16-21) to Gutiérrez/López.
Edgar Maldonado GUA
In Pool A, Edgar Maldonado/Luis García (GUA) defeated Justin Solano/Esteban González (CRC) 2-0 (21-18, 21-12), and then the Costa Ricans secured a 2-0 victory (21-19, 21-16) over the local team Irvin Reyes/Wilfredo Vega. On Saturday, Maldonado/García will play Reyes/Vega at 9:00 a.m. to determine the pool standings for the quarterfinals.
Also, on the second day of competition, Pérez/Ierna will face Mayer/Penberthy at 10:40 a.m., and Gutiérrez/López will go up against Fernández/Moreira at 11:30 a.m. to define group standings.
Friday Results. Pool-play Pool A: Maldonado/García (GUA) d. Solano Esteban (CRC) 2-0 (21-18, 21-12); Solano/Esteban (CRC) d. 2-0 (21-19, 21-16) Reyes/Vega (HON). Pool B:Priima/Wieczorek (USA) d. 2-0 (21-17, 21-16) Mora/López (NCA); Priima/Wieczorek (USA) d 2-1 (21-18, 25-27, 15-6)Rahnavard/Gannett (CAN). Pool C: Perez/Ierna (USA) d.2-0 (21-14, 22-20) Gutiérrez/López (NCA); Mayer/Penberthy ISV d. 2-0 (21-7, 21-19) Fernandez/Moreira (HON); Perez/Ierna (USA) d. 2-0 (21-11, 21-11) Fernández/Moreira. Gutiérrez/López (NCA) d. 2-0 (21-8, 21-16) Mayer/Penberthy (ISV).
PUERTO CORTÉS, Honduras, October 17, 2024.- The sixth stop of the 2024 NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour will begin this Friday, October 18, in Puerto Cortés, featuring 21 teams, 11 women’s pairs and 10 men’s pairs, competing for a spot on the podium.
In the women’s competition, Pool A includes Nicaragua (Nahima Silva/Lolette Rodríguez), Guatemala (Natalia Girón/Paola Alvarado), and Honduras (Shanna Rivera/Cecille Johnson).
In Pool B are Costa Rica (Sofía Vega/Eugenia Ramírez), Jamaica (Petal Smith/Kristina Lumsden), USA (Katie Lindstrom/Tiffany Svenssohn), and Honduras (Valery Rodríguez/Greisy Cardona).
Pool C features the U.S. Virgin Islands (Sarah Penner/Melanie Valenciana), St. Kitts and Nevis (Shanicia Dyer/Shajunee Gumbs), Canada (Amy Ozee/Kaylee Glagau), and USA (Rachel Kramer/Jade Race).
Honduras
The matches will kick off at 9:00 a.m. with Silva/Rodríguez (NCA) facing Girón/Alvarado (GUA), followed by Sofía Vega/Ramírez (CRC) versus Smith/Lumsden (JAM), and Lindstrom/Svenssohn (USA) against Rodríguez/Cardona (HON) at 10:40 a.m., in a total of 10 matches of the preliminary round.
On the men’s side, 10 pairs will compete to make history in Honduras.
Pool A includes Guatemala (Edgar Maldonado/Luis García), Costa Rica (Justin Solano/Victorio), and Honduras (Irvin Reyes/Wilfredo Vega).
In Pool B are Nicaragua (Rubén Mora/Dany López), USA (Diego Pérez/Ryan Ierna), and Canada (Rouzbeh Rahnavard/Tynan Gannett). Group C consists of USA (Lev Priima/David Wieczoreck), Nicaragua (Axel Gutiérrez/Denis López), Honduras (Kenny Fernández/Germán Zelaya), and U.S. Virgin Islands (Bryce Mayer/Tyler Penberthy).
Maldonado/García (GUA) will play against Solano/Esteban (CRC) at 9:00 a.m. on court 2, followed by Mora/López (NCA) vs Priima/Wieczorek (USA) and Pérez/Ierna (USA) against Gutiérrez/López (NCA), in a total of eight pool-play matches.
Jamaica
In both divisions, the quarterfinals will feature first-place from Pool A facing the third place from Pool B/C. The other matchups will see the second place from Pool B face the second from Pool C. The first place from Pool C will play against the second from Pool A, and the first from Pool B will take on the third from Pool A/C, as the two best third-place teams will advance.
Women’s Teams: Shanna Rivera/Cecille Johnson HON, Katie Lindstrom/Tifanny Svenssohn USA, Amy Ozee/Kaylee Glagau CAN, Sarah Penner /Melanie Valenciana ISV
PUERTO CORTÉS, Honduras, October 17, 2024.- The sixth stop of the 2024 NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour will kick off this Friday, October 18, in Puerto Cortés, the main harbour of Honduras, which could become the logistical hub for beach volleyball in the country.
The President of the Honduran National Volleyball Federation (FNVH) and President of the Association of Central American Volleyball Federations (AFECAVOL), Félix Sabio, expressed his gratitude to NORCECA President Cristóbal Marte for his trust, stating, “Central America had to organize four events of the NORCECA Tour, and we now have two, with this one in Honduras and one in Nicaragua, plus the ones to be organized in El Salvador and Costa Rica.”
“Thanks to this support and trust, we can have more participation from Central American pairs, as it is difficult for us to attend other stops outside the region. The idea was conceived within AFECAVOL and supported by President Marte”, Sabio added.
He also thanked the local authorities for their support, including the mayor, the president of the Municipal Sports Institute, CONDEPAH, and individuals like Luis Baide, “who is highly credible”, along with the Porteña Volleyball League and others who contributed to making this unique event in Honduras’ history a reality.
“That is why I commit today to supporting all efforts to make this city the logistical hub for beach volleyball in Honduras, from which all initiatives and projects for this beautiful sport will emerge”, Sabio said.
Jean Carlos Rodríguez, Deputy Mayor, stated, “This places us in a position of prestige, it honors us, and efforts will be made to ensure that it is always held in Puerto Cortés”.
The welcoming speech was delivered by Iris Lovo, President of the Municipal Sports Institute, who noted, “This is an incredible event. We are going to attend a spectacle because all of you are at a very high level. We are delighted to have you here, and we hope you feel at home. We have the warmth to host you and ensure everything runs smoothly, and that sports bring us together”.
Luis Baide, the local organizer, said, “This is the biggest beach volleyball event ever held in Honduras, and we are here to meet all your needs. We are doing everything to make you feel at home”.
PUERTO CORTÉS, Honduras, October 18, 2024 – United States, Canada, Guatemala, Costa Rica, and the U.S. Virgin Islands have secured their spots in the quarterfinals by winning two matches at the start of the NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour in Puerto Cortés, Honduras.
Natalia Girón and Paola Alvarado of Guatemala advanced to the quarterfinals by defeating Nahima Silva/Lolette Rodríguez of Nicaragua 2-0 (21-19, 21-17) and then Shanna Rivera/Cecille Johnson of Honduras 2-0 (21-12, 21-15). The two losing pairs will face each other for second place in Pool A at 9:00 a.m.
In Pool B, Katie Lindstrom/Tiffany Svenssohn from the USA won both their matches, defeating Valery Rodríguez/Greisy Cardona of Honduras 2-0 (21-8, 21-7) and later Petal Smith/Kristina Lumsden of Jamaica 2-0 (21-9, 21-7). In the same pool, Sofía Vega/Eugenia Ramírez from Costa Rica also secured two victories, the first 2-0 (21-13, 21-11) against Smith/Lumsden and then 2-0 (21-5, 21-10) against Rodríguez/Cardona.
Jade Race de USA
The top spot in Pool B will be decided on Saturday at 9:50 a.m. between Lindstrom/Svenssohn and Vega/Ramírez, and at 10:40 a.m., Smith/Lumsden will play against Rodríguez/Cardona.
In Pool C, Amy Ozee/Kaylee Glagau of Canada defeated Rachel Kramer/Jade Race of the USA 2-0 (21-10, 21-13), and the Canadians closed with a 2-0 (21-11, 21-8) win over Shanicia Dyer/Shajunee Gumbs of Saint Kitts and Nevis. Sarah Penner/Melanie Valenciana of the U.S. Virgin Islands also secured two wins, overcoming Dyer/Gumbs 2-0 (21-19, 21-13) and later Kramer/Race 2-1 (15-21, 21-14, 15-11).
On Saturday, in a battle of undefeated teams, Ozee/Glagau will face Penner/Valenciana at 11:30 a.m., and Dyer/Gumbs will take on Kramer/Race at 12:20 p.m.
The quarterfinals will be played in the afternoon (starting at 3:00 p.m.) on the municipal beach courts of Puerto Cortés, following the morning session that concludes the group phase.
Friday Results. Pool-play Grupo A: N. Girón/Alvarado (GUA) d Silva/Lolette (NCA)2-0 (21-19, 21-17); N. Girón/Alvarado (GUA) d Rivera/Johnson (HON) 2-0 (21-12, 21-15). Grupo B: Sofi V/Ramírez (CRC) d Smith/Lumsden (JAM) 2-0 (21-13, 21-11); Lindstrom/Svenssohn (USA) d Rodríguez/Cardona (HON) 2-0 (21-13, 21-11); Lindstrom/Svenssohn (USA) d Smith/Lumsden (JAM) 2-0 (21-9, 21-7); Sofi V/Ramírez (CRC) d Rodríguez/Cardona (HON) (21-5, 21-10). Grupo C:Penner/Valenciana (ISV) d Dyer/Gumbs (SKN) 2-0 (21-19, 21-13); Ozee/Glagau (CAN) d Kramer/Race (USA) 2-0 (21-10, 21-13); Penner/Valenciana (ISV) d Kramer/Race (USA)2-1(15-21, 21-14, 15-11); Ozee/Glagau (CAN) dDyer/Gumbs (SKN) 2-0 (21-11, 21-8).
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, October 10, 2024 .- Following the conclusion of the qualification system for the second edition of the Junior Pan American Games to be held in 2025 in Asunción, Paraguay, NORCECA confirms the teams qualified for Beach Volleyball.
Thanks to efforts of the Pan American Volleyball Union (UPV) with the Pan Am Sports organization, it was confirmed that Beach Volleyball at Asunción 2025 will feature 16 teams per gender, equally distributed between the NORCECA and South American (CSV) Confederations; 8 teams per gender for each Confederation.
Dominican Republic, Canada, Costa Rica, United States, Cuba, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Nicaragua are qualified in women.
The qualified men’s teams are Cuba, Costa Rica, Canada, El Salvador, United States, Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, and Saint Kitts and Nevis.
The 16 teams qualified for NORCECA accumulated the necessary points for their qualification in three events of the NORCECA U23 Beach Tour (Punta Cana 2023, Juan Dolio 2023, Punta Cana 2024).
Each of the qualified National Federations must confirm their participation in the 2nd Junior Pan American Games by October 25, 2024. If one of these Federations does not confirm its participation, the next team in the final U23 NORCECA qualification ranking will take their place according to current regulations.
PUNTA CANA, Dominican Republic, October 9, 2024. – The USA pair Isabella Martínez/Ella Connor defeated the Dominican duo Crismil Paniagua/Darlenys Olivo 2-0 (21-8, 21-15) to win the gold medal at the NORCECA U23 Beach Volleyball Continental Tour held at Los Corales Beach in Punta Cana.
Martínez and Connor (USA) advanced to the gold medal match after defeating the Cuban duo Amanda Drik and Mileidy Paret 2-0 (21-17, 21-11) in the semifinals, while Paniagua and Olivo (DOM) overcame Costa Rica’s Laura Molina and Aliza Aguilar 2-0 (21-19, 21-19).
The Cuban pair Drik/Paret won the bronze medal over Costa Rica’s Molina/Aguilar 2-1 (19-21, 24-22, 16-14).
Mens and Womens winner
Fifth place went to Emma Cudmore/Sophie Hancock from Canada after defeating Ana Arévalo/Danna Aguilar from Guatemala 2-0 (21-9, 22-20). Seventh place was claimed by Daniela Vigil/Karla Tovar from El Salvador, who defeated Trinidad and Tobago’s Adalia Badroe/Shanice Cottoy 2-0 (21-17, 21-2).
In ninth place were Maya Boutanos/Kate Chipman from Canada, who beat Kaylee Trott/Hailey Trott from Bermuda 2-0 (21-14, 21-14).
Nicaragua’s Ella Resau and Norma Brenes took 11th place by defeating Reanna Robinson and Nayelli Fergus from Saint Vincent 2-0 (21-6, 21-6), while Joanna Robinson and Luna Ebanks from the Cayman Islands secured 13th place by winning their match against Kirra Lambert and Sophia Peifer from the US Virgin Islands 2-1 (19-21, 21-16, 15-1).
Other results:
Arevalo/Aguilar (GUA) d Vigil/Tovar (ESA) 2-1 (21-19, 15-21, 15-9) and Cudmore/Hancock (CAN) d Badroe/Cottoy (TTO) 2-0 (21-10, 21-9).
PUNTA CANA, Dominican Republic, October 9, 2024. – Ayden Keeter and Carson Barnes from the United States claimed the top honors by defeating Cuba’s Damián Gómez and Eblis Veranes 2-0 (21-18, 21-18) in the championship match of the NORCECA U23 Beach Volleyball Tour, held on the sand courts of Los Corales Beach in Punta Cana.
The bronze medal went to El Salvador, with the twin duo Yoel and Christopher Guardado, who defeated the Dominican pair Alexander Wilmore and Rolvin Maldonado
2-0 (21-9, 21-17).
Americans Keeter and Barnes had no trouble defeating Wilmore/Maldonado from the Dominican Republic 2-0 (21-10, 21-15) in the semifinals, while the Cuban duo Gómez/Veranes fought hard to overcome the Guardado twins from El Salvador 2-1 (21-12, 19-21, 15-10) in the other semifinal.
Podium Men and Women
Fifth place went to Julián/Stanley Grant from Costa Rica, who defeated Canadians Connor Dorsey/Aiden Hilkowitz 2-1 (18-21, 21-14, 15-10).
Seventh place went to Josué Meneses/Jesy Umaña from Nicaragua, who beat Ramón De Jesús/Melvin De Jesús from the Dominican Republic 2-0 (21-17, 23-21), while ninth place was claimed by the Guatemalan duo José Izaguirre/Mario Ventura, who defeated Canadians Cole Linskill/Henry Heider 2-0 (21-17, 21-19).
Eleventh place went to Stephen Watson/Alexander Finnikin from the Cayman Islands, who defeated Julian Bristol/Clerique Ward from Saint Kitts and Nevis 2-0 (21-12, 21-19), while Shadron Delpesche/John Jaimion from Saint Vincent finished in thirteenth after defeating Kymani Greenidge/Cole Sommer from the US Virgin Islands 2-0 (25-23, 21-13).
In fifteenth place was the duo Luiyi Morales/Emmanuel Montenegro from Bonaire, who defeated Alexander Southern/Braedon Cooke from Bermuda 2-0 (21-14, 21-16).
Other results:
Gomez/Veranes (CUB) d Y. Guardado/C. Guardado (ESA) 2-1 (21-12, 19-21, 15-10); Keeter/Barnes (USA) d Wilmore/Maldonado (DOM) 2-0 (21-10, 21-15); Dorsey/Hilkowitz (CAN) d R. De Jesus/M. De Jesus (DOM) 2-0 (21-15, 21-17) and Araya/Stanley (CRC) d Meneses/Umaña (NCA) 2-1 (21-17, 16-21, 15-7).
PUNTA CANA, Dominican Republic, October 8, 2024.- Cuban duo Amanda Drik/Mileidy Paret, Crismil Paniagua/Darlenys Olivo from the Dominican Republic, Laura Molina/Aliza Aguilar from Costa Rica, and Isabella Martínez/Ella Connor from the United States advanced to the Women’s Semifinals of the NORCECA U23 Beach Volleyball Continental Tour in Punta Cana.
In the first semifinal on Wednesday at 9:30 AM, Paniagua/Olivo (DOM) will face Molina/Aguilar (CRC), and the second semifinal is scheduled at 10:15 between Martínez/Connor (USA) and Drik/Paret (CUB).
In Tuesday’s quarterfinals, Cuba’s Drik/Paret easily defeated Adalia Badroe/Shanice Cottoy from Trinidad and Tobago 2-0 (21-9, 21-6). The Dominican pair Paniagua/Olivo overcame Guatemala’s Ana Arévalo/Danna Aguilar 2-1 (21-14, 20-22, 15-11). Costa Rican duo Molina/Aguilar beat Daniela Vigil/Karla Tovar of El Salvador 2-0 (21-17, 21-14), while the U.S. team of Martínez/Connor advanced due to an injury of Canada’s Emma Cudmore/Sophie Hancock.
Costa Rica
In the classification matches for positions 9-12, Kaylee Trott/Hailey Trott from Bermuda defeated Saint Vincent’s Reanna Robinson/Nayelli Ferguson 2-0 (21-12, 21-18), and Canada’s Maya Boutanos/Kate Chipman beat Nicaragua’s Ella Resau/Norma Brenes 2-1 (13-21, 21-11, 15-11).
For positions 13-16, Cayman Islands’ Joanna Robinson/Luna Ebanks defeated Zoe Paniagua/Anicaury Báez from the Dominican Republic 2-0 (22-20, 21-7), while the match for Cayman Islands’ Kirra Lambert/Sophia Peifer was a bye.
The classification matches and semifinals will take place on Wednesday morning, followed by the bronze and gold medal matches in the afternoon.
Other results:
Paniagua/Olivo (DOM) d Badroe/Cottoy (TTO) 2-0 (21-4, 21-8); Drik/Paret (CUB) d Resau/Brenes (NCA) 2-0 (21-11, 21-14); Arévalo/Aguilar (GUA) d Zoe/Anicauri (DOM) 2-0 (21-17, 21-16); Martínez/Connor (USA) d Vigil/Tovar (ESA) 2-0 (21-11, 21-6); Boutanos/Chipman (CAN) d Robinson/Ebanks (CAY) 2-0 (21-12, 21-13); Molina/Aguilar d Cudmore/Hancock (CAN) (Canada team injury) and K. Trott/H. Trott (BER) d Lambert/Peifer (ISV) 2-0 (21-13, 21-17).
PUNTA CANA, Dominican Republic, October 8, 2024. – The tandems from the Dominican Republic (George Wilmore/Rolvin Maldonado), United States (Ayden Keeter/Carson Barnes), Cuba (Damián Gómez/Eblis Veranes), and twins Yoel and Christopher Guardado from El Salvador have secured their spots in the men’s semifinals of the NORCECA U23 Beach Volleyball Tour, currently being held at Los Corales Beach in Punta Cana.
In the semifinals, Wilmore/Maldonado (DOM) will face Keeter/Barnes (USA), and the Guardado twins (ESA) will take on Gómez/Veranes (CUB).
The Dominican pair Wilmore/Maldonado defeated Nicaragua’s duo Josué Meneses/Jesy Umaña in the quarterfinals with a score of 2-0 (23-21, 22-20). The U.S. team Keeter/Barnes overcame Costa Rica’s pair Julián Araya/Stanley Grant 2-0 (21-16, 25-23). Yoel and Christopher Guardado from El Salvador eliminated the other U.S. team, Connor Dorsey/Aiden Hilkowitz, 2-0 (21-14, 21-9), while Cuba’s Gómez/Veranes triumphed over the Dominican pair Ramón De Jesús/Melvin De Jesús 2-0 (21-10, 21-5).
El Salvador
In the classification matches for positions 9-12, Guatemala’s José Izaguirre/Mario Ventura defeated Saint Kitts and Nevis’ Julián Bristol/Clerique Ward 2-0 (21-11, 21-10), while Canada’s Cole Linskill/Henry Heider beat Cayman Islands’ Stephen Watson/Alexander Finnikin 2-1 (19-21, 21-16, 15-9).
In the classification matches for positions 13-16, Saint Vincent’s duo Shadron Delpesche/John Jaimion defeated Bonaire’s Luiyi Morales/Emmanuel Montenegro 2-0 (21-11, 21-15), and Kymani Greenidge/Cole Sommer of the U.S. Virgin Islands beat Bermuda’s Alexander Southern/Braedon Cooke 2-1 (19-21, 21-16, 15-9).
The classification matches will take place on Wednesday morning, followed by the semifinals, with the medal matches scheduled for the afternoon.
Other results:
Meneses/López (NCA) d R. De Jesús/M. De Jesús (DOM) 2-0 (21-15, 21-15); Linskill/Heider (CAN) d Delpesche/Jamie (VIN) 2-0 (21-16, 21-17); Gómez/Veranes (CUB) d Bristol/Clerique (SKN) 2-0 (21-12, 21-11); Wilmore/Maldonado (DOM) d Southern/Cooke (BER) 2-0 (21-7, 21-6); Y. Guardado/C. Guardado (ESA) d Keeter/Barnes (USA) 2-0 (21-18, 21-15); Izaguirre/Ventura (GUA) d Kymani/Sommer (ISV) 2-0 (21-9, 21-12); Araya/Stanley (CRC) d Dorsey/Hilkowitz (CAN) 2-0 (21-14, 21-18) y Watson/Finnikin (CAY) d Morales/Montenegro (BON) 2-0 (21-14, 21-18).
PUNTA CANA, Dominican Republic, October 7, 2024. – Teams from Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, El Salvador, the United States, Costa Rica, and Canada won both of their matches on the first day of competition at the NORCECA U23 Beach Volleyball Continental Tour in Punta Cana.
Josué Meneses/Jesy Umaña from Nicaragua and the Dominican duo R. De Jesús/M. De Jesús defeated the team from Saint Vincent, Shadron Delpesche/John Jaimion, and Canada’s number 2 team, Cole Linskill/Henry Heider.
Meneses/Umaña defeated Delpesche/Jaimion 2-0 (21-12, 21-8) and Linskill/Heider 2-1 (21-14, 22-24, 18-16). R. De Jesús/M. De Jesús overcame Delpesche/Jaimion 2-0 (21-12, 21-8) and Linskill/Heider 2-1 (21-18, 16-21, 15-10).
Tean Canada
Cubans Damián Gómez/Eblis Veranes won their matches against George Wilmore/Rolvin Maldonado (DOM2) 2-0 (21-19, 21-14) and Alexander Southern/Braedon Cooke from Bermuda 2-0 (21-8, 21-5).
Other pairs that remained undefeated on the first day included the Guardado twins from El Salvador, who beat José Izaguirre/Mario Ventura from Guatemala 2-0 (21-15, 21-19) and Kymani Greenidge/Cole Sommer from the U.S. Virgin Islands 2-0 (21-3, 21-7). Ayden Keeter/Carson Barnes from the United States defeated Greenidge/Sommer 2-0 (21-6, 21-3) and the Guatemalan duo Izaguirre/Ventura 2-0 (21-14, 21-12).
Julián Araya/Stanley Grant from Costa Rica triumphed over Stephen Watson/Alexander Finnikin from the Cayman Islands 2-0 (21-10, 21-9) and Luiyi Morales/Emmanuel Montenegro from Bonaire 2-0 (21-7, 21-10). The Canadian team of Dorsey Connor/Aiden Hilkowitz defeated Morales/Montenegro 2-0 (21-9, 21-12) and Watson/Finnikin 2-0 (21-7, 21-10).
Other Results:
Julian Bristol/Clerique Ward (SKN) d Southern/Cooke (BER) 2-0 (21-8, 21-17); Wilmore/Maldonado (DOM2) d Bristol/Clerique 2-0 (21-17, 21-14).
PUNTA CANA, Dominican Republic, October 7, 2024. – Seven women’s pairs began the 2024 NORCECA U23 Beach Volleyball Continental Tour undefeated, which started on Monday on the sand courts at Los Corales Beach in Punta Cana.
Cuba’s Maykalin Drik/Mileidy Paret defeated team number 2 of the Dominican Republic, Zoe Paniagua/Anicaury Báez, 2-0 (21-19, 21-11), and Guatemala’s Ana Arévalo/Danna Aguilar 2-0 (21-10, 21-15).
The other Dominican duo, Crismil Paniagua/Darlenys Olivo, beat Reanna Robinson/Nayelli Fergus from Saint Vincent 2-0 (21-10, 21-8), while their other match was a bye. Adalia Badroe/Shanice Cottoy from Trinidad and Tobago also defeated Robinson/Fergus 2-1 (21-13, 17-21, 16-14), with their other match being a bye as well.
Team of El Salvador
Daniela Vigil and Karla Tovar from El Salvador overcame Joanna Robinson/Luna Ebanks from the Cayman Islands 2-0 (21-14, 21-12) and Canada’s team number 2, Maya Boutanos/Kate Chipman, 2-0 (21-9, 21-15). Meanwhile, Isabella Martínez/Ella Connor from the United States secured victories against Joanna Robinson/Luna Ebanks 2-0 (21-6, 21-5) and Boutanos/Chipman 2-0 (21-9, 21-13).
The other undefeated pairs are Laura Molina/Aliza Aguilar from Costa Rica, after beating K. Trott/H. Trott from Bermuda 2-0 (21-8, 21-8) and Kirra Lambert/Sophia Peifer-Del Valle from the U.S. Virgin Islands 2-0 (21-10, 21-14). Emma Cudmore/Sophie Hancock from the United States defeated Lambert/Peifer-Del Valle 2-0 (21-12, 21-10) and K. Trott/H. Trott 2-0 (21-4, 21-10).
Other Results:
Arévalo/Aguilar (GUA) d Resau/Brenes (NCA) 2-0 (21-18, 21-16); Resau/Brenes (NCA) d Paniagua Báez (DOM2) 2-0 (21-9, 21-6).
PUNTA CANA, Dominican Republic, October 6, 2024. – A total of 31 teams will be competing in the U23 Tournament, part of the 2024 NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour, which kicks off on Monday in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.
The event is part of the qualification system for the 2025 Junior Pan American Games..
Preliminary team Canada_ 01
16 men’s teams and 15 women’s teams registered during Sunday’s preliminary inspections, all aiming to advance from pool-play that starts on Monday at 8:00 AM (local time) on the courts located at Los Corales Beach in Punta Cana.
For the first day of competition, 31 matches are scheduled: 16 in the men’s division and 15 in the women’s. Pool-play concludes on Tuesday morning, followed by the quarterfinals and the losers’ round in the afternoon. The semifinals, finals, and placement matches will be held on Wednesday.
PUNTA CANA, Dominican Republic, October 4, 2024. – Americans Xolani Hodel and Alexis Durish defeated the Canadian tandem of Amy Ozee and Kaylee Glagau 2-0 (21-7, 21-16) on Friday to claim the gold medal at the fifth stop of the 2024 NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour, held at Los Corales beach in Punta Cana.
The U.S. team of Mariah Whalen/Molly Phillips took bronze by defeating T’ara Austin/Taylor Buckner of the U.S. Virgin Islands 2-0 (21-6, 21-13)
In fifth place, Canada’s Sophia Hladyniuk/Abbey Thorup overcame the Dominican duo of Darlenys Olivo/Crismil Paniagua 2-0 (21-8, 21-13), while seventh place went to Costa Rica’s Laura Molina/Aliza Aguilar, who defeated Daniela Vigil/Karla Tovar of El Salvador 2-1 (21-17, 18-21, 15-8).
Nicaragua’s Nahima Silva/Lolette Rodríguez beat Dominicans Karla Ramírez/Nallelin Taveras 2-1 (22-20, 17-21, 15-13) to finish in ninth place, while Cubans Amanda Drik/Mileidy Paret secured eleventh place by defeating Amanda Robinson/Joanna Robinson of the Cayman Islands 2-0 (21-19, 21-15).
Thirteenth place went to Guatemala’s Ana Arévalo/Danna Aguilar, who triumphed over Jamaica’s Kristina Lumsden/Petal Smith 2-0 (21-14, 21-11).
Other Results:
Olivo/Paniagua (DOM) d Molina/Aguilar (CRC) 2-0 (21-19, 23-21); Hodel/Durish (USA) d Whalen/Phillips (USA) 2-0 (21-15, 21-17); Hladyniuk/Thorup (CAN) d Vigil/Tovar (ESA) 2-0 (21-10, 21-9); Ozee/Glagau (CAN) d Austin/Buckner (ISV) 2-0 (21-16, 21-17).
PUNTA CANA, Dominican Republic, October 4, 2024 .- Cubans Damián Gómez and Kens Veranes defeated the Dominican Republic duo of Hayerlin De Jesús/Rolvin Maldonado 2-0 (21-19, 21-19) this Friday to secure the gold medal at the fifth stop of the 2024 NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour, held at the sand courts of Los Corales beach in Punta Cana.
The bronze medal went to Canada’s Tynan Gannett/Rouzbeh Rahnavard, who overcame Garrett Bucklin/William Clements from the Virgin Islands 2-0 (21-12, 21-11).
Womens and mens
Fifth place went to Lev Priima/David Wieczorek from the United States, who bounced back after losing the first set to defeat Nicaragua’s Josué Meneses/Dany López 2-1 (16-21, 21-12, 15-10), while seventh place was secured by Canada’s Martin Licht/Robert Kemp, after beating the Cayman Islands’ Jesario Ebanks/Sean Tucker 2-0 (21-7, 21-12).
Ninth place went twins Yoel and Christopher Guardado of El Salvador, who defeated Bejamin Barnett/Sean Tucker 2-0 (21-8, 21-17) of Bermudas. In eleventh place, Ryck Webb/Mark Blake from Jamaica claimed victory over Trinidad and Tobago’s Joel Theodore/Stephen Enile 2-0 (21-6, 21-19), while the Dominican duo of Melvin De Jesús/Alexander Wilmore finished in thirteenth after defeating José Izaguirre/Mario Ventura of Guatemala 2-1 (21-17, 17-21, 15-11).
Other Results:
De Jesús/Maldonado (DOM) d Bucklin/Clements (ISV) 2-1 (19-21, 21-13, 15-9); Gómez/Veranes (CUB) d Gannett/Rahnavard (CAN) 2-1 (23-21, 21-23, 15-10); Priima/Wiekzorek (USA) d Licht/Kemp (CAN) 2-0 (21-16, 21-14); Meneses/López (NCA) d Jesario/Watson (CAY) 2-0 (21-14, 21-15).
PUNTA CANA, Dominican Republic, October 3, 2024.- Amy Ozee/Kaylee Glagau from Canada, T’ara Austin/Taylor Buckner from the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the two U.S. tandems of Mariah Whalen/Molly Phillips and Xolani Hodel/Alexis Durish, secured their spots in the Semifinals of the Fifth Stop of the 2024 NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour, at the sand courts at Los Corales Beach in Punta Cana.
In the quarterfinals, the duo of Ozee/Glagau defeated fellow Canadians Sophia Hladyniuk/Abbey Thorup 2-0 (21-19, 21-15), while Austin/Buckner from the U.S. Virgin Islands beat Dominicans Darlenys Olivo/Crismil Paniagua 2-0 (21-16, 21-12).
Molly Phillips and Mariah Whalen of United State
The two U.S. teams dominated two Central American pairs to advance to the semis. Whalen/Phillips defeated Daniela Vigil/Karla Tovar from El Salvador 2-0 (21-8, 21-12), and Hodel/Durish easily overcame Laura Molina/Aliza Aguilar from Costa Rica 2-0 (21-9, 21-1).
On Friday morning, the placement matches will take place, followed by the Semifinals, between Whalen/Phillips (USA) vs. Hodel/Dunish (USA) and Ozee/Glagau (CAN) vs. Austin/Buckner (ISV). The day will conclude with the Bronze Medal match and Final scheduled for the afternoon.
Other results:
Olivo/Paniagua (DOM) d Amanda Robinson/Joanna Robinson (CAY) 2-0 (21-10, 21-8); Whalen/Phillips (USA) d Austin/Buckner (ISV) 2-1 (20-22, 21-13, 18-16); Ozee/Glagau (CAN) d Molina/Aguilar (CRC) 2-0 (21-14, 21-10); Nallelin Taveras/Karla Ramírez (DOM) d Kristina Lumsden/Petal Smith (JAM) 2-0 (21-11, 21-6); Nahima Silva/Lolette Rodríguez (NCA) d Ana Arévalo/Aliza Aguilar /GUA) 2-0 (21-13, 21-18); Hodel/Durish (USA) d Hladyniuk/Thorup (CAN) 2-0 (21-18, 21-13).
PUNTA CANA, Dominican Republic, October 3, 2024.- Hayerlin De Jesús/Rolvin Maldonado from the Dominican Republic, Garrett Bucklin/William Clements from the U.S. Virgin Islands, Tynan Gannett/Rouzbeh Rahnavard from Canada, and Cubans Damián Gómez/Eblis Veranes advanced on Thursday to the Semifinals of the Fifth Stop of the 2024 NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour, at Los Corales Beach in Punta Cana.
In Friday’s first semifinal, De Jesús/Maldonado (DOM) will face Bucklin/Clements (ISV), followed by the other semifinal between Gannett/Rahnavard (CAN) and Gómez/Veranes (CUB).
The Dominican duo De Jesús/Maldonado defeated the U.S. team of Lev Priima/David Wieczorek 2-0 (25-23, 21-17) in the quarterfinals. Likewise, Bucklin/Clements (ISV) overcame Canada’s Martin Licht/Robert Kemp 2-0 (24-22, 21-17).
Melvin De Jesus of Domican Republic
The other Canadian team, Gannett/Rahnavard, won 2-0 (21-7, 21-14) against Nicaragua’s Josue Meneses/Dany López, while Cuba’s Gómez/Veranes dominated Jesario Ebanks/Stephen Watson from the Cayman Islands 2-0 (21-14, 21-14).
Position matches will be played on Friday morning, followed by the Semifinals, and in the afternoon, the bronze and gold medal matches.
Other Results:
De Jesus/Maldonado (DOM) d Jesario/Watson (CAY) 2-0 21-18, 21-18); Priima/Wieczorek (USA) d Y. Guardado/ C. Guardado (ESA) 2-0 (21-15, 21-20); Gannett/Rahnavard (CAN) d Bucklin/Clements (ISV) 2-0 (24-22, 26-24); Ryck Webb/Martin Blake (JAM) d De Jesús/Maldonado (DOM) 2-0 (21-19, 21-18); Meneses/López (NCA) d José Izaguirre/Mario Ventura (GUA) 2-0 (21-18, 21-15); Licht/Kemp (CAN) d Joel Theodore/Stephen Enile (TTO) 2-0 (21-14, 21-12); J.Guardado/C. Saved Webb/Blake (JAM) 2-0 (21-19, 21-14); Benjamin Barnett/Sean Tucker (BER) d Theodore/Enile (TTO) 2-0 (21-15, 25-23).
PUNTA CANA, Dominican Republic, October 2, 2024.- The Dominican duo Hayerling De Jesús/Rolvin Maldonado, the Virgin Islands team of Garrett Bucklin/William Clements, the Cuban pair Damián Gómez/Eblis Veranes, as well as both Canadian teams Tynan Gannett/Rouzbeh Rahnavard and Martin Licht/Robert Kemp won their two matches at the start of the Fifth Stop of the NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour 2024 on the sand courts set up at Los Corales Beach in Punta Cana.
De Jesús/Maldonado from the Dominican Republic defeated Bermuda’s Benjamin Barnnett/Sean Tucker 2-0 (21-14, 21-7), while their other match was a BYE.
The Virgin Islands team of Bucklin/Clements overcame Jamaica’s Ryck Webb/Martin Blake 2-0 (21-15, 21-11) and the Dominican duo Melvin De Jesús/Alexander Wilmore 2-0 (21-14, 21-9).
Gooris De Jesus vs Rolvin Maldonado of Dominican Republic
The other undefeated pairs are Canada’s Gannett/Rahnavard, who defeated De Jesús/Wilmore (DOM) 2-0 (21-10, 21-14) and Webb/Blake (JAM) 2-0 (21-16, 21-10), while Licht/Kemp beat Alexander Meneses/Dany López from Nicaragua 2-0 (21-12, 21-14) and Guatemala’s José Izaguirre/Mario Ventura 2-0 (21-6, 21-15). Meanwhile, Cuba’s Gómez/Veranes defeated brothers Yoel and Christopher Guardado from El Salvador 2-0 (21-19, 21-17) and Lev Priima/David Wieczorek from the USA 2-1 (19-21, 21-14, 15-13).
The pool-play will conclude on Thursday morning, followed by the quarterfinals and the losers’ bracket in the afternoon.
Other results of the day were:
Jesario Ebanks/Stephen Watson (CAY) d. Benjamin Barnnett/Sean Tucker (BER) 2-1 (17-21, 21-14, 15-8); Gómez/Veranes (CUB) d. Yoel and Christopher Guardado (ESA) 2-0 (21-19, 21-17); Issac Theodore/Stephen Enile (TTO) d. José Izaguirre/Mario Ventura (GUA) 2-1 (22-20, 18-21, 15-12); Gómez/Veranes (CUB) d. Priima/Wieczorek (USA) 2-1 (19-21, 21-14, 15-13); Meneses/López (NCA) d. Theodore/Enile (TTO) 2-0 (21-17, 21-16).
PUNTA CANA, Dominican Republic, October 2, 2024.- The U.S. women teams of Mariah Whalen/Molly Phillips and Xolani Hodel/Alexis Durish, along with the Canadian pairs of Amy Ozee/Kaylee Glagau and Sophia Hladyniuk/Abbey Thorup, won their respective matches on the first day of competition to kick off the Fifth Stop of the NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour 2024 on the right foot. The event is being held on the sands of Los Corales Beach in Punta Cana.
Whalen/Phillips (USA) defeated Cuba’s Maykelin Drik/Mileidy Paret 2-0 (21-11, 21-16) in their first match, with their second win coming via BYE. Meanwhile, the other U.S. duo, Hodel/Durish, overcame Guatemala’s Ana Arévalo/Danna Aguilar 2-0 (21-7, 21-11) and Nicaragua’s Nahima Silva/Lolette Rodríguez 2-0 (21-13, 21-4).
USA
Canada’s Ozee/Glagau beat Dominicans Nallelin Taveras/Karla Díaz 2-0 (21-8, 21-15) and Jamaica’s Kristina Lumsden/Petal Smith 2-0 (21-4, 21-8), while the team of Hladyniuk/Thorup defeated Silva/Rodríguez (NCA) 2-0 (21-16, 21-11) and Guatemala’s Arévalo/Aguilar 2-0 (21-7, 21-9).
The preliminary round will conclude on Thursday morning, followed by the quarterfinals and the losers’ bracket in the afternoon.
The other results of the day were:
Daniela Vigil/Karla Tovar (ESA) d Amanda Robinson/Joanna Robinson (CAY) 2-0 (21-13, 21-13); T´ara Austin/Taylor Buckner (ISV) d Maykelin Drik/Mileidy Paret (CUB) 2-0 21-12, 21-11); Laura Molina/Aliza Aguilar (CRC) d Kristina Lumsden/Petal Smith (JAM) 2-0 (21-8, 21-9); Darlenys Olivo/Crismil Hinojosa (DOM) d Vigil/Tovar (ESA) 2-1 (13-21, 21-10, 15-13); Molina/Aguilar (CRC) d Nallelin Taveras/Karla Díaz (DOM) 2-0 (21-18, 21-15).
PUNTA CANA, Dominican Republic, October 1, 2024. – The action of the 2024 NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour returns with the Fifth Stop, to be held from October 2 to 4 at Los Corales Beach in Punta Cana.
This marks the eighth consecutive year that Punta Cana hosts the most important Beach Volleyball event in the region, bringing together teams that earn significant ranking points.
During Tuesday’s preliminary meeting, the participation of 14 teams per gender was confirmed, representing thirteen member countries of the NORCECA Volleyball Confederation.
Preliminary team Canada
The participating countries are Canada, Costa Rica, Bermuda, Jamaica, Guatemala, Virgin Islands, Dominican Republic, Trinidad & Tobago, United States, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Cayman Islands, and Cuba. Both Canada and the host country, the Dominican Republic, will participate with two teams per gender.
Preliminary team United States
Men’s Teams: CAN Tynan Gannett/Rouzbeh Rahnavard, Martin Licht/Robert Kemp; JAM Ryck Webb/Mark Martin; ISV Garrett Bucklin/William Clements; BER Benjamin Barnett/Sean Tucker; USA Lev Priima/David Wieczorek; GUA Jose Miguel Izaguirre Solis/Mario Rodolfo Daniel Ventura Padilla; DOM Hayerling Francisco De Jesus Goris/Jorge Isaac Rosario Cabrera, Rolvin Maldonado Sanchez/George Alexander Wilmore; ESA Yoel Alejandro Guardado Rivas/Christopher A. Guardado Rivas; NIC Josué Alejandro Meneses/Dany Antonio Lopez Alavarado; TRI Joel Issac Theodore/Stephen Enile; CAY Jesario Ebanks /Stephen Watson; CUB Damian Gomez Limonta/Eblis Veranes Kens.
Women’s Teams: CAN Sophia Hladyniuk/Abbey Thorup, Amy Ozee/Kaylee Glagau; JAM Kristina Lumsden/Petal Smith; ISV T’ara Austin/Taylor Buckner; USA Peri Brennan/Molly Phillips, Xolani Hodel/Alexis Durish; GUA Ana Sofía Arévalo Barillas/Danna Mariela Aguilar Hernández; DOM Darlenys Olivo Rodriguez/Crismil Paniagua Hinojosa, Nallelin Taveras Taveras/Karla Magdalena Diaz Ramirez; ESA Daniela Sofia Vigil Catillejos/Karla Jamileth Tovar; CAY Amanda Robinson/Joanna Robinson; NIC Nahima Nickole Silva Velasquez/Lolette Eleonor Rodriguez; CUB Maykelin Drik Cardona/Mileidy Rosario Paret Pacheco; SUR Zoureena Koningverander/Chelleney Soedamah; CRC Crystell Arce Picado/Aliza Aguilar Delgado.
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, October 1, 2024 – The 2024 NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour Season resumes in October starting in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.
Playa Los Corales in Punta Cana will host two events, starting with the fifth Stop of the NORCECA Tour from October 1 to 5, followed by the U23 Continental Tour event from October 6 to 10 which is part of the qualification process to the 2025 Junior Pan American Games.
Los Corales beach
The sixth Stop of the NORCECA Tour will take place in Puerto Cortés, Honduras, from October 17 to 21. This marks the first time in the history of the Tour that Honduras will host the event.
The Tour will then move to Bonaire for the seventh Stop, from October 31 to November 4.
Additionally, three more events are scheduled on the NORCECA Tour calendar to close out the 2024 season: El Salvador, from November 7 to 11; Trinidad and Tobago, from November 21 to 25; and Costa Rica, from December 5 to 9.
The official registration of participating teams for each event is confirmed the day before the competition begins. Teams will be seeded according to their position in the most recent event and placed based on their ranking, using the National Federation (NF) classification.
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts. September 1, 2024.- Anguilla and the Commonwealth of Dominica claimed top honors in the female and male categories, respectively, of the Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) Under 21 Beach Volleyball Championships, which concluded on September 1, 2024.
The Championships, held over three action-packed days from August 30 to September 1, were preparatory tournaments for qualification to the FIVB U21 World Beach Volleyball Championships, scheduled to be held in Georgia in July 2025. The best beach volleyball talents from across the Eastern Caribbean and Bermuda region were showcased.
Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Dr. Terrance Drew and Minister of Sport et al., Hon. Samal Duggins, alongside officials from the St. Kitts and Nevis Olympic Committee (SKNOC) and the St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla National Bank, were on hand to crown the new champions. Joining them on the podium was special guest Hon. Dickon Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada, underscoring the regional appeal of the Championships.
In a thrilling final, Anguilla defeated St. Lucia to capture the gold in the female category, while Dominica triumphed over host St. Kitts and Nevis to secure victory in the male bracket.
The bronze medals were awarded to Bermuda and Antigua and Barbuda. Bermuda secured third place in the female category after Antigua and Barbuda forfeited, while Antigua and Barbuda defeated Grenada to claim the bronze in the male bracket.
The crowning of the champions marked the conclusion of the tournament, which saw participation from 13 teams representing 11 countries. ECVA President Glenn Quinlan, in his closing remarks, expressed optimism that the competition would inspire even greater interest in beach volleyball throughout the region. He extended his gratitude to the many partners and sponsors who contributed to the tournament’s success and announced that the end of this year’s event signals the formal beginning of plans for next year, with St. Kitts and Nevis once again set to host.
As the region’s top young athletes return home, focus increases on preparing for the FIVB U21 World Beach Volleyball Championships.
Participating countries were Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, St. Lucia, Grenada, the British Virgin Islands, St. Eustatius, Saba, Bermuda, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Anguilla, and host St. Kitts and Nevis.
Various social media platforms affiliated to the ECVA U21 have made a significant footprint, registering over 50 thousand impressions and 5 thousand accounts reached, representing a 350 increase, in week prior to and following the Championships.
BASSETERE: St Kitts and Nevis, September 1, 2024: Dominica completed its mission to win the Men’s segment of the Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) Under-21 Championships here at the Marriot Beach, and booked a place to the FIVB Beach Volleyball Under-21 World Championships, set for Georgia, 2025.
The duo of Bill Frederick and Mervin Mingo, silenced the partisan support from the host country, thwarting everything that the pair of Julian Bristol and Vickash Sundar, representing St Kitts and Nevis Team, winning in straight sets, 21-19, 21-16.
This meant that Frederick and Mingo went through the championships, not conceding a set, beating all comers by 2-0 margins.
Dominica’s coach- Yahn Florent commenting after his team’s domination, said he was able to bring all his experience garnered from playing in the ECVA, NORCECA and FIVB Qualifying tournaments, to bear on his charges.
“I basically shared my experience and knowledge about placements and positions when on the court, but the players themselves were hungry for that gold medal; we were not letting up on anything…We played everyone the same way, the same intensity”, Florent said.
The coach said that on return home, they will be back on training, because going to international tournaments requires a higher level of preparation.
“This is not the time to slack up…We have to prep some training drills to improve their sharpness and overall skills sets”, Florent projected.
En route to the final, Frederick and Mingo beat Antigua and Barbuda’s Khaliq Joseph and Miguel Lugo, 2-0 (21-11, 21-17), while Bristol and Sundar were taken the distance by Grenada’s Kibose Hamilton and Zerick Walcott, but prevailed 2-1(21-17, 17-21, 15-10)
Joseph and Lugo earned Antigua and Barbuda a podium spot, when they defeated Hamilton and Walcott, 2-0 (21-17, 21-16), to take bronze.
Positions 5-8: St Kitts and Nevis Team Two: Jedediah Pencheon and Komarr Fraites had a 2-0 (21-14, 21-16) win over Bermuda’s Riley Morbey and Marcus Rodriques. British Virgin Islands’ Jason Dunkley- Maduro and Alexander Wheatley had a walk over St Vincent and the Grenadines’ Tariq Duncan and Damari Frederick. Positions 9 -12: Anguilla outfit of Trevon Smith and Shaquoy Reid defeated St Kitts and Nevis’ Team Three of Joash Walters and Alex Lall 2-0 (21-19, 21-16). St Lucia’s Daniel Joseph and Rayquan Francis beat St Eustacius’ Zjondre De Jesus and D’Jairo Hassel, 2-1(21-13, 13-21, 15-10).
BASSETERE, St Kitts and Nevis, Sept, 1. 2024: Anguilla, represented by Lavesha Richardson and Deandra Flemming defeated St Lucia’s pair of Kurtrice Jules and Marie -Therese St Clair, to pouch gold in the Women’s segment of the Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) Under-21 Championships here at the Marriot Beach.
Richardson and Flemming won 2-0 (21-17, 22-20), to ink their name as the ECVA’s women’s representatives to the FIVB Beach Volleyball Under-21 World Championships, set for Georgia 2025,
Both finalists though had to rebound from losses on day one, before navigating their way successfully to the title match. Eventual champions- Anguilla was beaten by Bermuda, whilst St Lucia suffered at the hands of Antigua and Barbuda.
For Coach of the Anguilla outfit- Jason Liburd, the title was a testament of resilience.
“It was a tough road for us to get to the final, because we had to beat the defending champions, Dominica… We also had to beat Antigua and Barbuda, who was a finalist last year, and who had beaten us last year to get to the final.
Liburd though put the success to work done in preparation for the tournament and the experience gained in participating in the ECVA senior tournament in St Lucia, earlier this year.
Before reaching the title match, Richardson and Flemming ousted the Antigua and Barbuda pair of Jaya Carr and Jassania Joseph, 2-0 (21-18, 21-17), whilst Joseph and St Clair beat Bermuda’s- Isabella Sousa and Hailey Trott 2-1(21-10. 17-21, 15-8)
Sousa and Trott went on to win the bronze medal, as Antigua and Barbuda was forced to forfeit the match, after Joseph sustained an injury in the first set.
(Positions 9-12): In the jostle for positions 9 – 12, St Kitts and Nevis Team Three, comprising Asia Campbell and Jenieve Thomas, beat British Virgin Islands’ Natalia Drayton and Karissa Scatliffe 2-1(21-19, 20-22, 15-10) and Hannah Johnson and Selena Gomez of Saba defeated St Kitts and Nevis Team Two of Jahzara Andrew and Khimeli Jules, 2-1 (18-21, 21-13, 15-4)
BASSETERRE: St Kitts and Nevis, August 31, 2024: Dominica, Antigua and Barbuda, along with Grenada and St. Kitts and Nevis Team One advanced to the men’s semifinals of the Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) Under-21 Championships here at the Marriot Beach.
The four maintained an unblemished record, after successfully navigating pool play and their quarter-final battles.
Dominica’s Bill Frederick/ Mervin Mingo had an easy passage to the semifinal, as St. Vincent and the Grenadines was unable to take the court, forfeiting the match because of shoulder injury to Damari Frederick
Antigua and Barbuda’s Khaliq Joseph and Miguel Lugo overcame Bermuda’s Riley Morbey and Marcus Rodriques, 2-0 (21-10, 21-13), with the Grenadian pair of Kibose Hamilton and Zerick Walcott defeated the British Virgin Island’s Jason Dunkley Maduro and Alexander Wheatley, 2-0(21-8, 21-11).
While St. Kitts and Nevis Team One of Julian Bristol and Vickash Sundar advanced over their fellow Kittians, Team Two of Jedediah Pencheon and Komarr Fraites 2-0 (24-22, 21-13).
The semifinal match ups on Day Three, feature Bristol/ Sundar facing Hamilton/ Walcott and Joseph/ Lugo against Frederick/ Mingo.
The semifinal winners meet in the title match, whilst the losers play for bronze.
Final Pool Play matches
Pool D: Hamilton/ Walcott def. De Jesus/ Hassel l 2-0 (21-6, 21-9); Frederick/ Mingo def. Pencheon/ Fraites 2-0(21-18, 21-9); Pool B: St Kitts and Nevis Team Three made up of Joash Walters and Alex Lall def. St Lucia’s Daniel Joseph; Pool C: Rayquan Francis, 2-1 (19-21, 21-13, 15-6)
Play Offs
Duncan/ Frederick def. Joseph/ Francis 2-0 (21-15, 21-9)
Pencheon/ Fraites def. De Jesus/ Hassel 2-0 (21-13, 21-13)
De Jesus/ Hassel vs Joseph/ Francis; Walters/ Lall vs Smith Reid; Dunkley- Maduro/ Wheatley vs Duncan/ Frederick and Pencheon/ Fraites vs Morbey/ Rodriques.
BASSETERRE: St Kitts and Nevis, August 31, 2024: Anguilla staged a second and third set comebacks, to oust defending champion- Dominica, to reach the semifinals in the Women’s segment of the Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) Under-21 Championships here at the Marriot Beach.
Represented by Lavesha Richardson and Deandra Flemming, Anguilla came from a set down to humble Alyssa Bully and Nyla Edmund, pulling out all the stops to win 2-1 (21-10, 14-21, 15-13).
It was uncontrolled joy for the Anguillans, as they left the Dominicans spellbound.
Likewise, St. Lucia, who did not light up day one, returned on day two with some aplomb, to join Anguilla in the last four.
St. Lucia’s Kurtrice Jules and Marie -Therese St. Clair ended Gerelvia Spanner and Elshe Spanner of St. Eustacius run of wins, beating them 2-0 (21-18, 21-12).
Meanwhile, Bermuda, via Isabella Sousa and Hailey Trott gained their semi-finals advancement at the expense of St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ Nayelli Fergus and Reanna Robinson, trumping 2-0 (21-12, 21- 6).
And, Antigua and Barbuda’s combination of Jaya Carr and Jassania Joseph saw off Grenada’s Teasia Jones and Makyala Mason 2-0 (21-17, 21-12) to stay unblemished after three matches.
Pool Play
Day Two also hosted matches in Pool play as Bully/ Edmund beat Andrew/ Jules 2-0 (21-4, 21-15) in Pool B; Carr/ Joseph beat Campbell/ Thomas 2-0(21-5, 21-7) in Pool C, and in Pool D, Spanner/ Spanner beat Alwani versus Hensley- Phillip 2-1(16-21, 21-10, 15-4) and Jones/ Mason defeated Johnson/ Gomez 2-0 (21-8, 21-8)
Play Offs
Fergus/ Robinson def. Johnson/ Gomez 2-0 (21-7, 21-19); Jules/ St Clair beat Drayton/ Scatliffe 2-0 (21-12, 21-8), while Richardson/ Flemming def. Campbell/ Thomas 2-0 (21-12, 21-8) and Jones/ Mason def. Andrew/ Jules 2-0 (21-9, 21-6).
September 1, 2024.- USA’s Myriah Massey & Lily Davis shut out Spain’s Sofia Izuzquiza & Marta Carro in Sunday’s final to triumph as FIVB Beach Volleyball U19 World Champions in Shangluo, China, in women’s beach volleyball.
In another American sweep earlier in the day, Sally Perez & Sarah Wood took the bronze, leaving Thailand’s Varagkhana Sogalee & Somruedee Koedkaew in fourth place.
The 2024 FIVB Beach Volleyball U19 World Championship women’s podium
18-year-old Massey and 17-year-old Davis were quite convincing in both sets of the gold medal match in China and celebrated the world crown after a 2-0 (21-16, 21-16) sweep. The American pair started the tournament from the qualifiers, but eight wins and one loss later, they could triumph as champions of the world. It was the third time in history a US duo claims the U19 women’s world title. At the previous edition of the tournament two years ago, Massey took the silver medal in partnership with Ashley Pater, but now went one step higher with Lily Davis, all the way to the top of the podium. For Davis, this was the first major international competition of her career.
“The gold medal means everything to us,” she said after the final. “Representing our country is a blessing. It’s so cool to see new places this way. And I think just working this hard to win it all is a great feeling!”
Mexico’s Ines Antonio Vargas Lares & Carlos Andres Ayala Herrera
“I think our biggest achievement was getting out of the qualifier because we wouldn’t have been able to get all the way here if we didn’t take care of business in the first few matches that we played,” Myriah Massey added.
In the bronze medal match earlier on Sunday, 17-year-old Sally Perez and 16-year-old Sarah Wood secured a second American spot on the podium by delivering a 2-0 (21-17, 21-16) victory over Thailand’s Varagkhana & Somruedee. So, after going through the tournament on a 6-1 win-loss record, they decorated their duo’s first world-level appearance with bronze, bringing USA’s total medal count in the history of the competition up to seven.
In men, Mexico’s Ines Antonio Vargas Lares & Carlos Andres Ayala Herrera finished fourth place after falling 1-2 (15-21, 21-19, 5-15) to AmirAli GhalehNovi & Habib AkbarzadehKashani of Iran in the bronze medal match.
BASSETTERE: St Kitts and Nevis, Aug. 30: St. Kitts and Nevis Team One’s Julian Bristol and Vickash Sundar, as well as Antigua and Barbuda’s Khaliq Joseph and Miguel Lugo, went two wins from as many matches on day one of Men’s Pool play in the Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) Under-21 Championships at the Marriot Beach.
In straight sets, Bristol and Sundar, beat Tariq Duncan and Damari Frederick of St. Vincent and the Grenadines 2-0(21-15, 21-18) and had a 21-3, 21-10 win over Jason Dunkley and MaduroAlexander Wheatley of the British Virgin Islands to go perfect in Pool A.
Meanwhile, Joseph and Lugo top Pool C, beating St. Lucia’s Daniel Joseph and Rayquan Francis 2-0 (21-11, 21-16) but had to dig deep to ward off the St. Kitts and Nevis’ Team Three, composed of Joash Walters and Alex Lall, winning 2-1 (21-16, 16-21, 15-11).
In Pool B, Dominica’s Bill Frederick and Mervin Mingo defeated Bermuda’s Miley Morbey and Riley Rodriques 2-0 (21-8, 21-14), and Jedediah Pencheon and Komarr Fraites of St. Kitts and Nevis Team Two beat Morbey and Rodriques 2-1 (26-24, 19-21, 15-7).
Two matches in Pool D and one in Pool A, completed the day’s proceedings. Anguilla’s Trevon Smith and Shaquoy Reid recorded a 2-0 (21-6, 21-12) win over St. Eustacius’ Zjondre De Jesus and D’Jairo Hassell, with Grenada’s Kibose Hamilton and Zerick Walcott seeing off De Jesus and Hassell, also 2-0 (21-15, 21-15).
And, in Pool A, Duncan/ Frederick defeated Dunkley and Wheatley, 2-0(21-8, 21-6).
Day Two commences with the remaining matches in Pool play:
Pool D: Hamilton/ Walcott vs De Jesus/ Hassell; Pool C: Joseph/ Francis vs Walters/ Lall; Pool B: Frederick/ Mingoo vs Pencheon/ Fraites.
Thereafter, are the playoff matches featuring the crisscrossing of the final placing of the four pools, followed by the losers to determine the minor places.
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts and Nevis: Aug. 29, 2024: The final destination is Georgia 2025, for the FIVB Beach Volleyball Under-21 World Championships. Eleven countries will be looking to book their flights, at the Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) Under-21 Championships, August 29 to September 1, at the Marriot Beach.
The participating countries are Anguilla (AGU), Antigua and Barbuda (ANT), Bermuda (BER), British Virgin Islands (IVB), Grenada (GRN), Dominica (DMA), Saba (SAB), St. Eustatius (EUX), St. Kitts and Nevis (SKN), St. Lucia (LCA) and St. Vincent and the Grenadines (VIN).
Consisting of a Women’s and a Men’s segment, the thirteen teams are in four pools of each of the genders.
HATO MAYOR, Dominican Republic, August 14, 2024. – The NORCECA Confederation and the NORCECA/FIVB Regional Development Center in Santo Domingo, are pleased to announce their upcoming International Beach Volleyball Coaches Course, which will be held from August 20 to 24.
The course will take place at the facilities of “Rancho Doña Callita,” located in the city of Hato Mayor, a venue that has hosted the NORCECA Beach Volleyball Continental Tour on several occasions.
The course will feature 22 participants, with coaches coming from Aruba, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Spain, the United States, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic.
Professor Nelson José Ramírez, Director of the Development Center, stated, “This course is part of the annual activity program of the Development Center in Santo Domingo, which has held six courses this year in different locations, including Dominican Republic, Cuba, and Puerto Rico. This reinforces the Center’s prestige among federations affiliated with NORCECA and FIVB”.
Instructor Mauro Hernández from Venezuela has been appointed by the FIVB to lead the course. “We are very proud to welcome him, as he is one of the most important and well-prepared instructors today”, Ramírez added.
These courses are part of the Development Program led by the NORCECA Confederation, presided over by Cristóbal Marte Hoffiz.
PARIS, France, August 9, 2024.- Canada’s Melissa Humana-Paredes and Brandie Wilkerson have captured silver in beach volleyball at Paris 2024.
The duo fell In the first-ever three-set final in the history of women’s Olympic beach volleyball 24-26, 21-12, 10-15 to top-ranked Ana Patrícia Silva Ramos and Eduarda “Duda” Santos Lisboa of Brazil in Friday night’s gold medal match.
Canada fought off three Brazilian set points – and had a couple of their own – before falling 26-24 in the opening set. The Canadians stormed back in the second, winning 21-12, but dropped the third and deciding set, 15-10.
The medal is Canada’s first in women’s beach volleyball at an Olympic Games and the country’s second ever in the sport. John Child and Mark Heese won bronze in men’s beach volleyball at Atlanta 1996, which was the sport’s Olympic debut.
It’s the second Olympic appearance for both Humana-Paredes and Wilkerson – but their first as a duo. The two formed a partnership in October 2022 and made their debut as a pairing on the Beach Pro Tour in February 2023. They have found quick success together with this Olympic medal joining the silver they won at the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games.
“It’s incredible. I think every athlete wishes to be in a position where they can get a gold medal, to be in the finals, because it takes so much hard work to even just get to this place,” said Brandie. “We are still hungry for that gold medal, because we’re competitors and because we know we belong in that spot just as equally as our fellows, the Brazilians. We continue to bring out the best in each other and we are looking forward to playing them again. But for now we’ll take the silver medal with us with our heads held high, because it’s going to make a difference and have ripple effect for Canada to know that we are one of the best in the world at this sport.”
“It’s taking care of the opportunities you have. It’s taking risks when you have to, and it’s managing the momentum,” Melissa stated. “You know, it was a momentum game and you can’t ever take your foot off the gas. People are going to be coming, they’re going to be your opponents and are there for a reason. They’re there to push you. They challenge you until you’re going to respond. So I think, we let too many sideout opportunities slip and then we had some opportunities to get them back, and we didn’t take advantage of those. It happens. I mean, that’s the game of volleyball, that’s a sport.”
Brandie Wilkerson and Melissa Humana-Paredes Olympic Silver Medalists (Photo FIVB)
Reaching the gold medal match was anything but easy for the duo. The two finished 1-2 in the preliminary phase, forcing them to play in a lucky loser match in order to reach the next round.
After beating Czechia in two sets in the lucky loser round, Canada pulled off a major upset in the round of 16, eliminating the No. 2 ranked team in the world – Kristen Nuss and Taryn Kloth of the United States – to qualify for the quarterfinals. After defeating Spain in the quarters, Humana-Paredes and Wilkerson had to go up against Tanja Hüeberli and Nina Brunner of Switzerland in the semifinals, a team that hadn’t dropped a single set in Paris.
The Swiss won the first set, 21-14, only to have the Canadians storm back and take a close second set, 22-20. Canada then took the first-to-15 third set, 15-12, to qualify for the gold medal match. That game, in a way, was a reflection of the team’s entire tournament.
Earlier in the day, Hüeberli and Brunner won the bronze medal, defeating Australia’s Mariafe Artacho del Solar and Taliqua Clancy in two sets.
PARIS, France, August 8, 2024.-Melissa Humana-Paredes & Brandie Wilkerson are the first finalists and, hence, the first team to secure a spot on the Olympic beach volleyball podium at Paris 2024. In Thursday’s first semifinal, the fourth-seeded Canadians denied an opponent match point in the second set to mount a solid comeback against Switzerland’s Tanja Hüberli & Nina Brunner.
The block was Canada’s main weapon on the way to their 2-1 (14-21, 22-20, 15-12) victory. It brought them seven points, all authored by Brandie, against only four on the Swiss side. In key moments, the North Americans also capitalized on the opponents’ unforced errors to edge ahead in the game. Brandie was the best scorer of the match with 25 points, also including an ace. With two serving points of her own, Melissa finished with 12 points. The serving was much more prolific on Switzerland’s side. Hüberli put away three aces in addition to four kill blocks towards a 21-point tally, while Brunner fired four aces and finished with 19 points.
Melissa & Brandie took the early lead in the first set and even opened a three-point gap, but Hüberli & Brunner caught up at 9-9. After 11-11, the Swiss broke away with a five-point run and never looked back. They dominated with their offence and their serves and cruised on to a convincing 21-14 close. The second set was way more competitive. The lead changed hands several times. Hüberli & Brunner reached match point at 20-19, but Melissa & Brandie reacted with three in a row to snatch the set at 22-20. That was the first set Hüberli & Brunner lost since the start of the tournament. The Swiss recovered from Canada’s early 4-1 run in the tie-breaker and even took the lead momentarily at 10-9. Three points in a row after 11-11 brought in match point for the North Americans, which soon turned into a 15-12 victory on a defensive error by the opponents for the winning point.
“We knew it was going to be an extremely hard-fought game. Switzerland is an incredible team. They’ve been playing really well this season. They were kind of peaking and the last battle we had with them didn’t go our way,” Melissa told the FIVB after the match. “So we knew that they were going to come out strong. We didn’t come out as strong, but what we still had was a full tank left of heart, grit and perseverance. I think that’s what kind of showed up at the end of that second set. I don’t think we played great volleyball, but I think we didn’t let it go. We weren’t going to let it slip out of our hands easily. And then, the third set was a completely new battle and you get re-energized and start from zero again. It’s a wide open playing field and anyone’s game at that point.
“In the end it was an out-of-body experience. I’m a runner. I think my body just has this huge release and I just need to get that energy out. We’re right on track and I don’t think we played our best volleyball yet. That’s still somewhere inside and I think tomorrow is the day to bring it out.”
“We came for it all! Absolutely!” Melissa confirmed. “I mean, we can stand with our heads proud that we have that opportunity for a medal, but we won’t lose sight that the gold is our goal.”
Melissa & Brandie’s opponent in Friday’s final will be decided between top-seeded Ana Patricia Ramos & Eduarda Santos Lisboa (Duda) of Brazil and Australia’s Mariafe Artacho Del Solar & Taliqua Clancy.
PARIS, France, August 7, 2024.- The U.S. men’s beach team of Miles Partain and Andy Benesh completed their Olympic run in Paris in the quarterfinals with a 2-0 (21-14, 21-16) loss to Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tijan of Qatar on Wednesday. Partain and Benesh, the youngest U.S. men’s beach team in Olympic history, ran off three consecutive wins to reach the quarters.
“I think everyone gave their best effort,” Partain said.” I am pretty confident in that and I am happy we got to represent the U.S. along with the other three teams.”
Cherif/Ahmed earned their country’s first medal in Olympic history with the bronze in Tokyo and earlier in Paris, defeated the top seed in pool play.
The U.S. was nearly even statistically in kills (23-22 Qatar) and were even in blocks (5-5). Qatar served the only two aces, but the difference was points on opponent errors as Qatar benefited from 12 U.S. errors, while making only three of its own.
Benesh scored 15 points on 10 kills and five blocks, with Partain contributing 12 kills and five digs.
“I thought Qatar played really well,” Benesh said. “They are a great team. They executed really well. I thought our intention was good, we just didn’t execute as well as them and they deserved to win tonight, but proud of how we played and thankful to have Miles as a teammate.”
Neither team could gain more than a one-point advantage until Qatar ran off four consecutive points for a 11-8 lead in the opening set, which led to Partain/Benesh taking their timeout. A Partain dig and Benesh kill cut the gap back to one point, 11-10, before the side switch.
Benesh recorded back-to-back blocks to regain the lead, 12-11. Two errors, one a serving and another hitting, gave Qatar the lead again. Cherif ended the long rally with a block to make it 14-12. Three hitting errors in a row gave Qatar a five-point lead, 17-12. A Cherif kill off the block extended the run to 7-0 before a hitting error ended it. Another Cherif block gave Qatar set point. After a Partain kill, Cherif scored on a second ball as Qatar ended the set on a 10-2 run.
Benesh added four kills to his three blocks to score seven points in the set with Partain registering six kills. Kills (10-10) and blocks (3-3) were even, but the U.S. made eight errors, while Qatar made just one.
After trailing 4-3, Qatar went on a 4-1 run to take a 7-5 lead in the second set. An ace that trickled off the net increased the lead to three, 10-7. A Partain kill on a second ball and a Benesh block brought the U.S. back within a point, 11-10.
Qatar scored the first two points after the side switch to go back up by three points. Despite multiple great digs by Ahmed, who is the top defender in this year’s Olympics, and hustle by Cherif, the U.S. scored the next point to pull back within two points and lead to a Qatar timeout. A Cherif block gave Qatar its biggest lead of the set, 16-12, before the side switch.
A net violation extended the lead to five points before the U.S. scored. A sixth service error made it 18-13. A Benesh kill and his fifth block of the match closed the gap to three points. The U.S. looked like it was going to pull within two, but more tremendous defense by Ahmed prevented it.
A Benesh kill on a second ball made the score 19-16 before the side change. A Qatar kill gave them match point with an ace ending the match. Benesh led the U.S. with eight points on six kills and two blocks, while Partain again totaled six kills.
The match was the first in the last four meetings between the teams that did not go three sets. Partain/Benesh won in Ostrava earlier this year 15-8 in the deciding set after each team won a set 21-19. Cherif/Ahmid dropped the first set in both meetings in 2023 but came back to win in the third set each time, 15-9 in Ostrava and 20-18 on their home court in Doha. In their only previous matchup that did not go the distance, Cherif/Ahmid took both sets 22-20 in Maldives (South Asia) in 2022.
PARIS, France, August 7, 2024.- Canada’s Melissa Humana-Paredes and Brandie Wilkerson secured their spot in the Olympic beach volleyball semifinals today with a win over Daniela Alvarez and Tania Moreno of Spain.
Fourth-seeded Melissa & Brandie outclassed young Spanish sensations Daniela Alvarez & Tania Moreno, seeded 18th, on the way to a 2-0 (21-18, 21-18) win. Improving to a 4-2 win-loss record at Paris 2024, the Canadian pair advanced to the semifinals.
The first set was very tight and competitive through 15-15. At that point, Melissa & Brandie broke away with four in a row and closed the set at 21-18 shortly after on a long serve by the opponents. Alvarez & Moreno were the first to break away in the second set, with four in a row for 8-5, but the Canadians reacted swiftly, and also with four in a row, gained a 10-9 lead. At 14-14 was the last time the score was tied. Melissa & Brandie took control and never let go until Melissa’s elegant hit closed the match at another 21-18.
Brandie led the way with 17 points, including three kill blocks. Melissa contributed another 13 points towards the victory. Moreno led the Spanish team with 15 points.
“We knew they would come out strong and we had to be patient on our side defensively, and just kind of play free and loose,” said Humana-Paredes. “And we had to put a big emphasis on our offense and staying aggressive; making sure that we were dialed in… and put some service pressure on. Kudos to us for staying patient because it was back and forth there for a while.”
This is the first time Canada has reached the semifinals in women’s beach volleyball at the Olympic Games (the previous best result was fifth).
Tomorrow, in the semifinals, Canada faces Hüberli/Brunner of Switzerland at 5 pm local time/ 11 am ET.
“Every single team here is of excellent caliber, so every time it’s a difficult game,” said Wilkerson. “But luckily, we’ve faced a lot of challenges before getting to this… I’m proud of our team and our resilience and grit.”
PARIS, France, August 6, 2024.- The U.S. women’s beach team of Sara Hughes and Kelly Cheng finished fifth at the Paris Olympics after dropping their quarterfinal match to the Swiss combination of Tanja Hüberli and Nina Brunner, 2-0 (21-18, 21-19) on Tuesday. The 2023 world champions ended the Olympics with a 4-1 record.
Cheng finished the match with 17 points on 16 kills and a block, and Hughes totaled eight points on five kills and three aces. The U.S. scored on 12 opponent errors, while committing only seven, but could not overcome the margin in kills (26-21) and service aces (7-3). There were only three blocks in the match, two by the Swiss.
“I think we fought back so hard in the first,” Cheng said. “I think I made a few too many errors early on in the first but we came back and just one or two aces and the game is over, you know? I think similarly to the second, I whiffed two balls out and an ace down the middle again and the game is gone.”
The U.S. scored the first two points on a Cheng kill on a second ball, but Hüberli/Brunner took a 4-3 lead on a block and never trailed the remainder of the set. Another block gave the Swiss their first two-point lead. Two aces helped push the lead to four, 14-10. Hughes/Cheng scored four of the next five points to force a Swiss timeout.
Sara Hughes and Kelly Cheng finish fifth in Paris (Photo FIVB)
An incredible play by Brunner put the Swiss back up by three points, 17-14. The teams exchanged the next four points before a fifth ace pulled the Swiss within one point of the set. A service error followed by a Hughes ace foiled two set points, but a crosscourt kill ended the opening set. Cheng recorded five kills with Hughes adding three kills and an ace.
Hüberli/Brunner led 5-4 in the second set before going on a 3-0 run that finished with a kill off a great dig. After a timeout, the U.S. scored the next two points on a service error and hitting error to pull within two points and head back to the better scoring side of the court with the wind in their faces.
Cheng scored three times to bring the U.S. within one point and then tied the match at 11-11, the first tie since early in the first set. Hüberli/Brunner regained the lead on a point in spite of two great digs from Hughes. After the U.S. tied it again at 12, Hughes served an ace and Cheng scored down the line to put the U.S. ahead by two points for the first time since it was 2-0 to start the match.
The Swiss called a timeout and scored the next two points, the second on their sixth ace of the match. An incredible dig by Brunner helped put the Swiss ahead, 17-16. A Cheng kill evened the score again. Leading 18-17, Brunner served her fourth ace to move back ahead by two points. A Cheng tip on a second ball made it 19-19, but the Swiss took the match on a pair of off-speed points. Cheng scored 11 points on 10 kills and a block.
Hughes did her best to summarize her first Olympic experience after reaching its conclusion in the quarterfinal.
“[Feeling] all the emotions,” said Hughes. “Grateful to be here. Letdown that we didn’t come out with the win, but also proud of the fight that we gave. I feel like we also have so much left in the tank and so much more to give. You know sometimes in sports it just doesn’t go your way, but we fought as hard as we could.”
PARIS, France, August 5, 2024.- Canada’s Melissa Humana-Paredes & Brandie Wilkerson won the big eighthfinal clash with USA’s Kristen Nuss & Taryn Kloth on Monday afternoon and advanced to the quarterfinals of the Paris 2024 women’s beach volleyball tournament, where they will take on Spanish sensations Daniela Alvarez & Tania Moreno on Wednesday.
Fourth-seeded Melissa & Brandie delivered a hard-fought 2-0 (21-19, 21-18) upset of second-seeded Nuss & Kloth to knock one of the main medal candidates out of contention.
Melissa in attack (Photo FIVB)
In the first set, Nuss & Kloth broke away with a 14-9 lead before Melissa & Brandie went on a six-point streak to take control and eventually win by the narrowest of margins. In set two, the Canadians quickly broke away with a five-point lead at 8-3. The Americans fought back and finally caught up at 18-18, only to concede the next three points with Brandie killing the overpass for the 21-18 match winner. While Brandie impressed with her five kill blocks to finish with 17 points, Melissa shined from the serving line with four aces towards a match-high 19 points. Kloth led the American side with 15.
“It was tight at the end of the sets – that’s all I remember and that’s all that I truly expected at this point against that team,” Melissa said after the game. “They are a very strong team and whenever we have battles with them we go the distance. You can never count them out. They are going to get their points, we are going to get our points and it’s just about who is going to be the last one standing out there. I think we stuck really diligently on our defence, we kept the service pressure on them and did not give them too many breaks.”
Triumphant Melissa & Brandie (Photo FIVB)
“Every game is a big hurdle, but as long as you are here and you are playing, you are doing good,” Brandie added. “We are treating every game like a whole new tournament. We just did this one and now we are on to the next tournament. It’s going to be a long journey… We are extremely grateful and honoured to be representing our country, representing our game, our work and our team.”
In one of Wednesday’s quarterfinals, Melissa & Brandie will be challenged by Spain’s Alvarez & Moreno, who sensationally knocked out Dutch standouts Katja Stam & Raisa Schoon earlier on Monday.
“We had really been focusing on the game at hand and we’ve just found out who we are playing next,” Melissa told the FIVB. “So I currently have zero thoughts. I am still trying to process that win, but I think all the teams here in the quarterfinals of the Olympics are incredible and they have all earned the right to be here. I think at the end of the day, what we did in this game we will just do in the next game as we focus on our side.”
PARIS, France, August 4, 2024.- The third-seeded U.S. beach team of Sara Hughes and Kelly Cheng had all they could handle from 12th-seeded Valentina Gottardi and Marta Menegatti of Italy before coming away with a 2-1 (21-18, 17-21, 15-12) win in the Paris Round of 16 on Sunday. Hughes/Cheng, the reigning world champions, will next face the Swiss team of Tanja Hüberli and Nina Brunner in the quarterfinal round on Tuesday, August 6.
“That’s such a good team,” Hughes said. “We knew it coming in so we knew we just had to play our best volleyball and maybe it wasn’t the best, but we just fought together and I think that’s so important. A win is a win and we are happy to bring it home.”
Cheng scored 21 points on 16 kills, two blocks and three aces. Hughes posted a double-double with 15 kills and 19 digs, many of the spectacular fashion, in a brilliantly played defensive match. Both teams finished with 31 kills and the U.S. held a slight 3-2 advantage in service aces. Italy led 6-2 in blocks, but committed 17 errors compared to just 12 from the U.S.
Hughes & Cheng celebrate advancing to Quarters (Photo FIVB)
A Cheng block on the first point of the match helped jumpstart the U.S. to a 3-0 lead, but Gottardi/Menegatti eventually evened the set at 7-7. After the teams traded off the next six points, Italy took its first lead of the set, 11-10, on a block.
Trailing 14-12, the U.S. tied the set on a Cheng kill on a second ball and a Hughes bump kill on the first ball tied the set. A continuation block by Cheng led to an Italy hitting error that put Hughes/Cheng back out in front, 16-15, at which point Gottardi/Menegatti used their timeout.
Italy scored the first two points out of the timeout to regain the lead. Trailing 17-16, Cheng tied the match and then gave the U.S. the lead again with a kill on a second ball after a great dig by Hughes. An Italy hitting error made it 19-17. After surrendering the next point, the U.S. scored the final two points of the set on a service error and a Hughes kill. Cheng scored seven points on six kills and her first point block, while Hughes added five kills and seven digs.
Sara Hughes celebrates scoring in round of 16 (Photo FIVB)
The third point of the second set exemplified the quality of play in the match with both teams scrambling and playing great defense before Cheng bumped over a second ball for the point. With the set tied at 8-8 with neither team having assumed a two-point lead, Italy used two blocks to spur a 5-0 run to take a 13-8 lead at the technical timeout.
The U.S. pulled back within two points, 15-13, after a Cheng ace and a Hughes kill off the block, forcing Italy to take its timeout. Hughes/Cheng had a chance to pull within a point, but their attack was dug and Gottardi/Menegatti scored that point and the next for an 18-14 lead.
Cheng scored on an overpass and recorded a block to cut the lead back to two points, 19-17, but Italy scored the final two points, the last on an ace, to send the match to a third set. Cheng scored seven points on five kills, a block and a set, and Hughes finished the set with six kills and six digs.
“This game is a game of momentum, so really fighting to stop them from having momentum and fighting to get it back,” Cheng said. “It’s about staying in the present and not letting those runs affect you and just fighting every point. Every point is a new point and you are not worrying about those last ones. That’s really important.”
Cheng scored on a second ball after Hughes dug a block attempt and then served two aces in a row for an early 4-1 U.S. lead in the deciding set. The U.S. continued its strong play after an Italy timeout when Hughes made an incredible dig, and Cheng bumped the ball over with her back to the net for the point. A Cheng kill on a second ball gave the U.S. an 8-3 lead.
Hughes kept her great defense going and sent a first ball over the net for a kill to give the U.S. its biggest lead of the match, 10-4. Another Italy block cut the deficit back to four points, 11-7, leading the U.S. to use its timeout. An incredible hustle play helped lead Italy to its fourth consecutive point to make it 11-9.
A Cheng kill down the line snapped the 4-0 run, but a service error cut the lead back to two. An ace pulled Italy within a point. Hughes looked to be in trouble on the following play but poked the ball to the backcourt for a 13-11 lead. Italy hit the next ball out and unsuccessfully challenged a block touch to set up the first U.S. match point. Italy scored the next point, but Cheng ended the match on a ball toward the sideline. Cheng scored seven points on five kills and the two key aces. Hughes scored three times and registered six digs.
PARIS, France, August 4, 2024.- The world’s number one team David Ahman & Jonatan Hellvig of Sweden advanced to the quarterfinals after putting a stop to Noslen Diaz & Jorge Alayo’s fantastic run at Paris 2024.
Top-seeded Ahman & Hellvig had to battle it out through a tough three-set duel with 16th-seeded Cubans Diaz & Alayo to celebrate a hard-earned 2-1 (21-11, 26-28, 15-11) victory and a spot among the quarterfinalists, while handing the opponents their first defeat of the tournament and putting an end to their inspiring Cinderella story.
After a one-sided first set, Diaz & Alayo put up an epic fight in the second, pushing it deep into overtime, inspired by the loud support they were getting from the packed stands, and prompting a tie-breaker.
The Swedish jump-setters regained control in the third set and although their opponents from the Caribbean never gave up, the favourites managed to emerge with the victory. After a spectacular dive by Ahman in defense, Hellvig put away the 15-11 match winner. Hellvig excelled with an impressive eight kill blocks and three aces towards a 28-point match high. Ahman added another 20 points towards the victory, while Alayo led the Cuban duo with 26 points.
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