Category: Beach

Mexicans Vargas/Vidaurrazaga and Albarrán/Torres and Urango/Skjodt of USA unbeaten

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AGUASCALIENTES, Mexico, April 21, 2023.- Mexican duos of Itzel Vargas/Yeray Vidaurrazaga and Esperanza Albarrán /Susana Torres as well as USA’s Geena Urango and Carly Skjodt grabbed two wins on the first day of competition at Aguascalientes 2023 NORCECA Beach Tour on Friday.

The Mexican tandem of Itzel Vargas/Yeray Vidaurrazaga had a strong start in Pool C, winning their two matches of the day in straight sets. First, over  Amber Bennett and Cristina Almeida-Anza of the U.S. Virgin Islands 21-8, 21-10 followed by a  21-11, 21-16 against Angel Williams and Ximena Núñez of Costa Rica.

Esperanza Albarrán alongside Susana Torres also managed two important victories in Pool B, topping Yvonne Soler and Laura Molina of El Salvador 21-11, 21-15 and beating Canadians Alison Mckay and Katherine Wuttunee 21-16, 21-13.

Abril Flores (MEX) vs Powery (CAY)

In Pool D, Geena Urango and Carly Skjodt had a well fought debut prevailing over the other U.S. team of Katie Lindstrom and Teegan Van Gunst 21-8, 24-22 and then dominating Canadians Shanice Marcelle and Lea Monkhouse in three sets (21-18, 16-21, 15-13).

Lindstrom/Van Gust and Marcelle/Monkhouse will meet on Saturday in their last pool-play outing, both are 1-1.

Carly Skjodt of United States

Mexico of Atenas Gutiérrez/Abril Flores and Guatemalans Natalia Girón / Estefanie Bethancourth will decide first place Pool A after picking up one win each against Ileann Powery/ Deajra Tulloch of Cayman Islands.

For the full schedule and results visit Aguascalientes 2023 NORCECA Beach Tour

Pool-play will be completed on Saturday, followed by the quarterfinals and classification matches 9/16.

29 Teams Ready to battle at Aguascalientes 2023 NORCECA Beach Tour

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AGUASCALIENTES, Mexico, April 20, 2023.- 29 Teams are ready to battle at the first stage of the 2023 NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour that starts in Aguascalientes on Friday as part of the annual  San Marcos Fair festivities.

13 women’s teams and 16 men’s teams confirmed their registration during Thursday’s preliminary inquiry who look to advance from the preliminary pool-play round that starts on Friday at 8:00 am (local time) at the sand courts installed at Plaza de Armas.

Friday’s competition schedule has 26 matches during the day and will be streamed on Facebooklive Courtside

The Aguascalientes event will be played over three days. The quarterfinals will take place on Saturday with the semifinals and medal matches on Sunday.

Mexican duos of Atenas Gutiérrez/Abril Flores and Juan Virgen/Miguel Sarabia are the top seeded of the tournament. Abril Flores won the bronze medal in Managua last year with Esparanza Albarrán. In 2022 Virgen/Sarabia won the silver medal here in Aguascalientes and in La Paz, Baja California.

The other two men Mexican teams Cruz/Aguirre and Barajas/Galindo last year won silver and bronze respectively in Hato Mayor, Dominican Republic.

General Technical Meeting

Other teams from the 2022 NORCECA Tour season to keep an eye on here in Aguascalientes are Shanice Marcelle of Canada who won the Aguascalientes silver medal with Ruby Sorra and now is teaming up with Lea Monkhouse who won the silver medal of Punta Cana with Molley McBain.

Also, Americans Katie Lindstrom and Teegan Van Gunst were champions in Managua and Cayman Islands, and second place in Hato Mayor.

Guatemalans Andy Blanco and Luis García silver medalists in Managua and Cayman Islands, as well as Nicaragua’s Rubén Mora who finished third in Managua with Denis López and is here in Aguascalientes with Dany López.

Jake MacNeil and Alexander Russell who finished third in Punta Cana, and Liam Kopp/Arran Chambers of Canada took the bronze in Cayman Islands and fourth place in Hato Mayor.

For the full schedule and results visit Aguascalientes 2023 NORCECA Beach Tour

General Technical Meeting

Team Update

Women’s Teams CAN Alison Mckay/Katherine Wuttunee, Shanice Marcelle/Lea Monkhouse; CAY Ileann Powery/ Deajra Tulloch; CRC Ángel Williams Paniagua/ Ximena Núñez Muñoz; ESA Yvonne Soler/Laura Molina; GUA Natalia María Girón Boesche/ Estefanie Bethancourth Guerra; MEX Atenas A. Gutiérrez Guzmán/ Abril Cristina Flores Castro, Esperanza Albarrán Castro/Susana Torres García, Itzel Karina Vargas/Yeray Yamilet Vidaurrazaga, Julieta Ameyalli Muñoz/Ana Patricia Valle; USA Katie Lindstrom/ Teegan Van Gunst, Geena Urango/ Carly Skjodt; ISV Amber Bennett/ Cristina Almeida-Anz

Men’s Teams BAH Jon Isaacs/ Eugene Stuart; CAN Jake MacNeil/ Alexander William Russell, Liam Kopp/Arran Chambers; CAY Jesario Ebanks/ Casey Santamaria; CRC Daniel Dyner Villa/ Jhostin Varela Guerrero; ESA Armando J. Guatemala Hernández/ Franklin Orlando Flores Girón; GUA Andy Alexis Leonardo Blanco/ Luis Augusto García Betancourt; MEX Jorge Barajas/Ricardo Galindo, Gabriel Cruz Mendoza/ Isaías Oziel Aguirre Gallegos, Juan Virgen/ Miguel Sarabia Delgado; NCA Rubén Alejandro Mora Romero/ Dany Antonio López Alvarado; SKN St Clair Hodge/ Shawn Seabrookes; TTO Daneil Williams/ Fabien Whitfield; USA Chase Frishman/ Cody Caldwell, Brandon Joyner/Alex Diaz; ISV Bryce Mayer/ Robert Cronshaw.

Budinger/Evans Secure Silver in Saquarema

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SAQUAREMA, Brazil, April 17, 2023.-  The U.S. beach team of Chase Budinger/Miles Evans fought through the qualifier, battled to the final and took the silver medal at the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Saquarema Challenge on Sunday in Brazil.

Seeded 17th in the main draw, Budinger/Evans took the top-seeded Brazilian team of Evandro Gonçalves/Arthur Lanci to three sets in the final before losing 2-1 (18-21, 21-12, 15-13). Budinger/Evans finished the tournament 7-1.

They won their semifinal match over Austrians Julian Hörl and Alexander Horst 2-1 (19-21, 22-20, 15-11).

Saquarema was Budinger/Evans’ second international match since they joined forces at the start of the season. They finished 25th at the Itapema Challenge on April 6-9 in Brazil. In March, they finished second at the AVP Open in Miami.

Chase Budinger/Miles Evans of United States silver medal at Saquarema Beach Pro Tour

The U.S. team of Andy Benesh/Miles Partain placed fourth after advancing from the qualifier. In the semifinals, they fell to Evandro/Arthur 2-0 (21-16, 21-17). In the third-place match they battled Austrians Julian Hörl and Alexander Horst before falling 2-1 (14-21, 21-15, 15-10).

Among other NORCECA teams:

Men: 5th Trevor Crabb/Brunner (USA); 9th Diaz/Alayo (CUB);  25th Scachter/Dearing (CAN) and Taylor Crabb/T. Sander (USA); 33th MacNeil/Russell (CAN) and Virgen/Sarabia (MEX)

Women: 9th Kolinske/Harward (USA); 19th Gutiérrez/Flores (MEX); 25th McBain/Bélanger (CAN) and Quiggle/Schermerhorn; 33th Aly/Katie (CAN)

Full results are available on the Volleyball World website.

Aguascalientes Opens the 2023 Beach NORCECA Tour Season

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AGUASCALIENTES, Mexico, April 17, 2023.- The 2023 Beach Volleyball NORCECA Tour season is set to kick off in Aguascalientes, Mexico from April 20-24.

Aguascalientes has been the opening event of the NORCECA Beach Tour on three occasions since they joined the NORCECA Tour, hosting in 2018, 2019 and 2022.

The Mexican National Volleyball Federation alongside the Aguascalientes Volleyball Association is preparing for a successful season opener to be staged at the iconic location of Plaza de Armas in downtown of the City of Aguascalientes, the geographic center of the country which is represented by a column called “Exedra” in front of the Government Palace with the Mexican emblem of the eagle devouring the snake.

Fifteen women’s teams and seventeen men’s teams have been registered for this year’s competition in Aguascalientes, representing thirteen countries, expecting to arrive in Aguascalientes on Thursday to go through the preliminary inquiries.

Host Mexico fields four women’s teams and three in the men’s division, while USA and Canada registered two teams per gender.

Atenas Gutiérrez of Mexico with partner Abril Flores

Cayman Islands, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Nicaragua and the U.S. Virgin Islands have one team per gender. Bahamas, St. Kitts and Nevis, and Trinidad and Tobago registered one team in the men’s division.

This year the NORCECA Tour will revisit the beautiful beaches of Varadero, Cuba and Cayman Islands in May for the second and third stages.

The event will move to Macao Beach in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic in June, followed by two stages in Trinidad and Tobago in Pigeon Beach in July and Maracas Bay in September; and then it’s back to the Dominican Republic in Puerto Plata and Juan Dolio Beach in the last week of September and first week of October.

Women’s Teams CAN Molly McBaien/Marie-Alex Bélanger, Megan McNamara/Nicole McNamara; CAY Ileann Powery/ Deajra Tulloch; CRC Ángel Williams Paniagua/ Ximena Núñez Muñoz; DOM Bethania Almánzar/ Jeneiry W. Rosario Hernández; ESA Yvonne Soler/Laura Molina; GUA Natalia María Girón Boesche/ Estefanie Bethancourth Guerra; MEX Atenas A. Gutiérrez Guzmán/ Abril Cristina Flores Castro, Yeray Y. Vidaurrazaga Blanco/ Esperanza K. Albarrán Castro, Ana Patricia Valle/ Itzel Karina Vargas Méndez, Julieta A. Muñoz Estrada/ Susana Torres García; NCA Socorro Margarita López Jalinas/ Lolette Eleonor Rodríguez Saunders; USA Katie Lindstrom/ Teegan Van Gunst, Geena Urango/ Carly Skjod; ISV Amber Bennett/ Cristina Almeida-Anz

Men’s Teams BAH Jon Isaacs/ Eugene Stuart; CAN Jake MacNeil/ Alexander William Russell, Samuel Schachter/ Daniel Dearing; CAY Jesario Ebanks/ Casey Santamaria; CRC Daniel Dyner Villa/ Jhostin Varela Guerrero; DOM Hayerling F. De Jesús Goris/ Oscar José Martínez López; ESA Armando J. Guatemala Hernández/ Franklin Orlando Flores Girón; GUA Andy Alexis Leonardo Blanco/ Luis Augusto García Betancourt; MEX Jorge Barajas/Ricardo Galindo, Gabriel Cruz Mendoza/ Isaías Oziel Aguirre Gallegos, Juan Virgen/ Miguel Sarabia Delgado; NCA Rubén Alejandro Mora Romero/ Dany Antonio López Alvarado; SKN St Clair Hodge/ Shawn Seabrookes; TRI Daneil Williams/ Fabien Whitfield; USA Silila Tucker/ Troy Field, Chase Frishman/ Cody Caldwell; ISV Bryce Mayer/ Robert Cronshaw

Cheng and Hughes continue in spectacular form with Tepic Gold

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TEPIC, Mexico, March 26, 2023.- Kelly Cheng and Sara Hughes have been a force in the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour since they became partners for the second time in their careers, last November, and the Americans celebrated their fourth title in the last four months on Sunday, at the Tepic Elite16, in Mexico.

The two dropped their first set in the tournament to Brazilians Eduarda ‘Duda’ Lisboa and Ana Patrícia Ramos in the gold medal match at the Amado Nervo Auditorium, but still managed to overcome the reigning world champions in the tie-breaker (21-14, 15-21, 15-10) and stand at the top of the podium. Australians Taliqua Clancy and Mariafe Artacho took bronze.

All Beach Pro Tour Tepic Elite16 matches are available on demand on VBTV.

Cheng and Hughes have been nearly unstoppable in their second stint as partners, having won four of the six Beach Pro Tour events they competed at since their reunion, including the 2022 Beach Pro Tour Finals.

Champions also at both the Challenge and the Elite16 tournaments held in Torquay, Australia, last year, the Americans have won 29 of the 33 international beach volleyball matches they played in the last four months.

“It’s been amazing,” Hughes reflected. “I’m so happy to be playing with Kelly and just working with our entire team. We’re putting together the right strategies and working as hard as we can. We have all the support back home and that’s what makes a good team.”

Hughes and Cheng dropped only one set in their campaign in Tepic

Beach Pro Tour Tepic Elite16 – Results

After a brief point exchange in the first few plays, Hughes started to make a defensive impact in the match and generated and converted several counterattacks, giving the Americans an 11-7 lead. An ace from her increased their advantage to 13-7 right before the technical timeout. Forcing errors from the Brazilians and maintaining their side out steady, Cheng and Hughes remained in control until the end and won the set 21-14 with a kill from Hughes.

The Brazilians started the second set stronger and jumped ahead at 5-2 with a block from Ana Patrícia on Cheng. The two took a 12-9 lead into the technical timeout and improved their advantage to five points at 15-10 when Cheng made an offensive error. More stable, the South Americans had no issues continuing ahead until the end and tied the gold medal match when Duda put the ball down with a tip to make them win the set 21-15.

Both team’s offences started the tie-breaker in a good rhythm and the Americans got the first break at 6-3, with Cheng blocking Ana Patrícia and Hughes digging the Brazilian blocker and putting the ball down in consecutive plays. A transition kill from Duda and a hitting error from Cheng brought the difference down to a single point at 8-7, but the Americans got back-to-back points to get up 10-7 and secured the title with a block from Cheng that ended the set 15-10.

Hughes hits around Ana Patrícia’s block during the gold medal match

Clancy and Mariafe stepped on the podium for the second time this season and the fifth in their last six events by taking bronze in Tepic and repeating the finish they got in the season-opening Doha Elite16, held in February.

The Tokyo Olympic silver medalists had to work hard, but downed Italian qualifiers Marta Menegatti and Valentina Gottardi in the tie-breaker (16-21, 21-17, 19-17) to finish third in Mexico.

The Beach Pro Tour continues next week, with a Futures tournament set to take place in Coolangatta Beach, Australia, from Wednesday to Sunday. The next Elite16 event will be played in Uberlândia, Brazil, from April 26-30.

Tepic Elite16 main draw set after top-level qualifier

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TEPIC, Mexico, March 23, 2023.- The last four spots in each gender in the main draw of the 2023 Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Tepic Elite16 were filled on Wednesday, when the qualifier took place in the two sand courts set up at the Amado Nervo Auditorium.

After the completion of the 24 matches of the day, men’s duos from Italy, the Netherlands and USA, and women’s teams from France, Italy, Spain and USA earned the right of competing among the 16 tandems that will fight for the titles in Mexico.

Watch the Beach Pro Tour Tepic Elite16 live or on demand on VBTV.

The main draw begins on Thursday, at 9:00 local time (16:00 UTC) and the first 16 pool matches in each gender will be played. By the end of the day, each team will have played a pair of matches in Tepic.

Americans Tri Bourne and Chaim Schalk were among the four men’s teams that succeeded in the men’s qualifier. A new team for the 2023 season, the two are playing in just their second tournament as partners and looking to bounce back from a 19th-place finish last week in La Paz, where they dropped both of their matches.

“Honestly, we didn’t feel at our best out there, but we’re working, we’re a new team,” Schalk remarked. “We’re working through stuff and it was awesome to find that energy and will to make it happen no matter what today. These qualifiers are absolutely gnarly, there are some amazing teams from all over the world here and to get through it was huge for us. We’re hungry and want to make a long run in the tournament.”

The Americans were challenged by a pair of Austrian teams on the qualifier in Tepic, overcoming Martin Ermacora and Philipp Waller in two sets (21-17, 21-15) and Robin Seidl and Moritz Pristauz in the tie-breaker (16-21, 21-19, 15-13).

Bourne and Schalk will be in Pool B in the main draw, where they’re going to face Sweden’s David Åhman/Jonatan Hellvig, Czechia’s Ondrej Perusic/David Schweiner and Germany’s Nils Ehlers/Clemens Wickler.

Their fellow Americans and former partners Trevor Crabb and Theo Brunner will complete Pool C, where they will compete with the Netherlands’ Alexander Brouwer/Robert Meeuwsen, Italy’s Adrian Carambula/Alex Ranghieri and Estonia’s Kusti Nõlvak/Mart Tiisaar. The USA duo moved forward with triumphs over Canada’s Sam Schachter/Dan Dearing and Brazil’s Andre Loyola/George Wanderley.

Taryn Kloth and Kristen Nuss USA

Beach Pro Tour Tepic Elite16 – Match Schedule & Results

Among the four women’s teams advancing in the women’s qualifier were USA’s Taryn Kloth and Kristen Nuss, the winners of last week’s La Paz Challenge. After topping Mexico’s Esperanza Albarran/Yeray Vidaurrazaga and Japan’s Miki Ishii/Sayaka Mizoe in the qualifier, they will now have fellow Americans Kelly Cheng and Sara Hughes, Australia’s Mariafe Artacho/Taliqua Clancy and Mexico’s Abril Flores/Atenas Gutierrez as their next opponents on Pool D.

10 NORCECA teams in the Main Draw

Women Sarah Hughes / Kelly Cheng – USA, Julia Scoles / Betsi Flint – USA, Melissa Humana-Paredes / Brandi Wilkerson – Canada, Sarah Pavan / Sophie Bukovec – Canada, Terese Cannon / Sarah Sponcil – USA, Atenas Gutierrez / Abril Flores – Mexico

Men Juan Virgen / Miguel Sarabia – Mexico, Tri Bourne / Chaim Schalk – USA, Trevor Crabb / Theo Brunner – USA

Kloth and Nuss secure La Paz Challenge title

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LA PAZ, Mexico, March 19, 2023.- Second-seeded Taryn Kloth and Kristen Nuss ended a solid week at the 2023 Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour La Paz Challenge with the gold medals around their necks as the 25-year-old Americans were the winners of the event held in Mexico.

Kloth and Nuss prevailed in the all-American gold medal match against Savvy Simo and Toni Rodriguez, taking their compatriots down in two sets (21-16, 21-13) to claim the title. Brazilians Tainá Bigi and Victoria Lopes finished third in La Paz.

All Beach Pro Tour La Paz Challenge match replays are available on VBTV.

The Americans were strongly challenged by compatriots Simo and Rodriguez at the start of the gold medal match and trailed until the middle of the opening set, when they found their rhythm, took control and never looked back.

“What a battle,” Nuss reflected. “Hats off to our fellow Americans, what a game and what a tournament they had. We got into the final knowing it was going to be a very tough match and only focused on our side of the net. The atmosphere here in La Paz has been absolutely unreal and this is what beach volleyball is about. We loved it.”

Playing in only their second international season, Kloth and Nuss have already secured their third Beach Pro Tour title, following victories at last year’s Kuşadası Challenge, in Türkiye, and Coolangatta Futures, in Australia. The Americans have played in 11 international tournaments together and never finished outside of the top ten.

“It was a very difficult tournament,” Kloth remarked. “There were so many great teams playing and a lot of three-set matches that could really have gone either way. And the fans were amazing, there was such a great turnout to every single match that we played. It was such a fun tournament .”

Action Gold Medal Match

Beach Pro Tour La Paz Challenge – Results

Despite their loss in the gold medal match, the 24-year-old Simo and the 26-year-old Rodriguez also leave La Paz with a lot to celebrate. The La Paz Challenge was just their second Beach Pro Tour event and the first in which they got to play in the main draw and they advanced all the way to the gold medal match, winning seven of the eight matches they played in Mexico, starting from Thursday’s qualifier.

The Beach Pro Tour remains in Mexico for another week with the city of Tepic hosting an Elite16 tournament from March 22-26.

Three NORCECA tandems advance to La Paz Challenge Main Draw

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LA PAZ, Mexico, March 16, 2023.- Thee NORCECA tandems, Savvy Simo/Toni Rodriguez (USA) in women, Sam Schachter/Dan Dearing (CAN) and Jorge Alayo/Noslen Diaz (CUB) in men from the qualifier matches on Thursday, advanced in the main draw of the 2023 Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour La Paz Challenge.  

American team of Savvy Simo and Toni Rodriguez, was responsible for the elimination of third-seeded Austrians Katharina Schützenhöfer and Lena Plesiutschnig. The 14th-seeded Americans advanced in an empathic way, securing a 21-12, 21-16 win.

Simo and Rodríguez join other four American teams, number one-seeded Sara Hughes/Kelly Cheng and second-seed Kristen Nuss/Taryn Kloth, Kelley Kolinske/Hailey Harward and Megan Kraft/Emily Stockman, and the Mexican pair of Abril Flores/Atenas Gutiérrez.

Also appearing in the La Paz Challenge main draw (men) will be fourth-seeded Sam Schachter/Dan Dearing of Canada and eighth-seeded Jorge Alayo/Noslen Diaz of Cuba.

The Canadian team of Sam Schachter and Dan Dearing earned a bye into the second round where they downed Gianluca Dal Corso and Marco Viscovich of Italy  2-0 (22-20, 23-21) and

Cuban duo Jorge Alayo and Noslen Diaz eliminated Americans William Kolinske and Hagen Smith 2-1 (21-15, 18-21, 15-13) and Germans Robin Sowa and Lukas Pfretzschner 2-0 (21-15, 21-15).

The other NORCECA men entering the main draw are Juan Virgen and Miguel Sarabia of Mexico, alongside Americans Trevor Crabb/Theodore Brunner and Chaim Schalk/Tri Bourne.

The main draw begins on Friday, at 9:00 local time (16:00 UTC), and 52 matches are scheduled to take place during the day. The entire pool play schedule will be completed on Friday and only 16 of the 24 teams in each gender will progress for Saturday, when the Round of 16 and the quarterfinals will be held. The semifinals and the medal matches will take place on Sunday.

Schedule and Results: 2023 Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour La Paz Challenge

Volleyball Canada’s beach athletes recognized with annual award

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ONTARIO, Canada, February 27, 2023.- Beach volleyball athletes Sophie Bukovec and Sam Schachter have been awarded Volleyball Canada’s annual Tom Ng award.

The athletes were chosen based on their performances in 2022. Toronto’s Bukovec had a stand-out year in 2022, winning silver at the World Championships with then partner Brandie Wilkerson. Team veteran Sam Schachter of Richmond Hill, Ontario, along with partner Dan Dearing, took silver at the Commonwealth Games and gold at the NORCECA tour finals.

The Tom Ng Beach Volleyball Athlete Assistance Fund was created in 2013 in partnership with Volleyball Canada and the Canadian Olympic Foundation. Annually, the Fund awards a high-performance beach volleyball athlete(s) an amount to offset training and competition expenses. This is the first time the Tom Ng award has gone to a male and female athlete at the same time.

“Both Sophie and Sam have been great representatives of Team Canada both on and off the court,” said Volleyball Canada’s Beach High Performance Director Ed Drakich. “We are pleased that the Tom Ng fund can assist them on the road to Paris 2024 as they work toward Olympic qualification.”

Bukovec now plays with Sarah Pavan, while Schachter continues to be partnered with Dearing.

USAV Beach National Championship to Return to Fort Lauderdale in 2023

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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado, February 27, 2023.-  It may be chilly outside, but summer is coming and so is the 2023 USA Volleyball Beach National Championship, which will return to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on July 18-23.

The USA Volleyball Beach National Championship is the premier annual event for girls and boys beach teams in the 12U, 14U, 16U and 18U age groups. In 2022, more than 300 beach teams competed at the championship in Fort Lauderdale.

“USA Volleyball is excited to bring the Beach National Championship back to Fort Lauderdale,” said USA Volleyball President & CEO Jamie Davis. “This pinnacle junior beach volleyball event brings together the best young players in the country for great competition on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. I’d like to thank Visit Lauderdale for their support in making this a truly special event.”

“Visit Lauderdale is thrilled to once again host the USA Volleyball Beach National Championship in Broward County,” said Glen Allen, Vice President of Sports & Entertainment for Visit Lauderdale. “This event will attract the best beach volleyball athletes from across the United States to compete on one of the most well-known beaches in the world. The abundance of new dollars and the rise in hotel occupancy created by the USA Volleyball Beach National Championships will be welcomed by the hospitality community.”

Teams in the girls and boys 16U divisions and the girls 12U division will compete July 18-20. Boys 12U, 14U and 18U teams and girls 14U and 18U teams will play July 21-23.

The 2023 USA Volleyball Beach National Championship will be the culmination of the 2022-23 USA National Beach Tour, which started in August. Teams earned bids to the national championship by competing in beach national qualifiers and beach regional qualifiers around the country.

The Open and American Divisions require teams to have earned a bid for that division. The Patriot Division does not require a bid and is open to all athletes.

St Lucia wins both titles at ECVA Senior Beach Volleyball Tournament

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CASTRIES, St Lucia, February 27, 2023:  St Lucia won both the Male and Female segments of the Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) Senior Beach Volleyball Tournament that ended here at the Cul de Sac Bay, on February 26.

The pair of Sheldon Descartes and Joseph Clercent copped the Male Division, with the duo of Denila Prospere and Chenao Evans, trumping the Females.

Descartes and Clercent, representing St Lucia Team One beat the experienced St Kitts and Nevis’ St Clair Hodge and Shawn Seabrookes,  2-0 ( 21-14, 21-14) , thus ending the tournament undefeated. It

It was a similar pathway for Prospere and Evans, as they too were unbeaten.

Also representing St Lucia  Team One, Prospere and Evans  saw off Thornia Mitchell and Renisha Stafford of Grenada 2-1(  21-16, 18-21, 15-11) in the gold medal match.

Speaking after his team’s victory, the much travelled Clercent on behalf of his partner- Descartes disclosed that they had planned for match up versus the Kittians in the final.

“ The final was not that difficult for us because we used more techniques … We knew we were approaching a more experienced team… We watched a few of their games … We didn’t slip or slide because we knew if we did, we would have been punished”, Joseph reasoned.

Meanwhile, relishing the Female title, Team Captain Evans related , “ We have been training hard, about five times per week…  We have been active in Tournaments since last November, so we were prepared for this”.

Making the separations between the two teams on the day, Evans analysed, “ We tried to keep the focus our movements, our fitness and our agility were better than the Grenadians …The errors we made were our own errors”.

The Tournament, originally slated for last October, saw participation from seven countries, featuring 32 players.

The participating countries were Antigua and Barbuda, Bermuda, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, St Vincent and the Grenadines and host St Lucia.

Nine teams contested the Male Division and seven were in the Female Division.  

President of the Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association Glenn Quinlan considers the recently concluded beach volleyball tournament hosted by Volleyball St. Lucia to have been one of the better-staged events he has attended.

Descartes and Joseph stay tops

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CASTRIES, St Lucia, February 26, 2023: The pair of Sheldon Descartes and Joseph Clercent confirmed their supremacy as the top team in the Men’s segment of the Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) Senior Beach Volleyball Tournament here at the Cul de Sac Bay.

Facing the experienced St Kitts and Nevis’ St Clair Hodge and Shawn Seabrookes, Descartes and Clercent, saw off their opponents, 2-0 ( 21-14, 21-14) to cop the gold, and ended the tournament undefeated.

It was a triumph that pleased, Clercent, who said that they planned for their in the finals.

“ The final was not that difficult for us because we used more techniques … We knew we were approaching a more experienced team… We watched a few of their games … We didn’t slip or slide because we knew if we did, we would have been punished”, Joseph reasoned.

The experienced Joseph added that winning the title on home soil, made it all the more rewarding.

Meanwhile, Clercent’s opposite- Hodge, stated, “ Overall we are happy with our performance… We came through a zone where we weren’t actively pushed and in this the final, we lost some of our focus and made some unforced errors and we didn’t make the adjustments on court and  that led to us dropping the championships”.

The two reached the title match with similar victories over their opposing semi- finalists.

As such, Descartes and Clercent eased past Bermuda’s Ryan Davies and Brandon Sousa, 21-12, 21-14, while Hodge and Seabrookes ousted Antigua and Barbuda’s Adrian Constant and Jamarie James, 21-19, 21-17.

Constant and James ensured a podium finish with a 21-19, 21-13 win over Davies and Sousa in the bronze medal match.

Dominica, Grenada,  St Vincent and the Grenadines and St Lucia Team Two and Team Three competed the lineup of participants.

St Lucia  Women take gold medal

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CASTRIES, St Lucia, February 26, 2023:  Playing unbeaten throughout, St Lucia Team One pouched the gold medal of the Women’s segment of the Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) Senior Beach Volleyball Tournament here at the Cul de Sac Bay.

Buoyed by some vocal home support, the pair of Denila Prospere and Chenao Evans thwarted the meticulous play of the Grenadian duo of  Thornia Mitchell and Renisha Stafford, 21-16, 18-21, 15-11.

Relishing the title, Evans related , “ We have been training hard, about five times per week…  We have been active in Tournaments since last November, so we were prepared for this”.

Making the separations between the two teams on the day, Evans analysed, “ We tried to keep the focus our movements, our fitness and our agility were better than the Grenadians …The errors we made were our own errors

Apart from their presence and abilities on the court, Evans said that  playing in the presence of friends and family was boost in their confidence, as well as keeping them focused.

Gracious in defeat, Mitchell said:  “ Placing second, we are proud; We are happy with the result… We had good team spirit, we were supportive of each other”.

Mitchell however noted that it was their own undoing that cost them the title.

“We made some simple errors, service errors, hitting the ball into the net”, Mitchell concluded.

Before reaching the final, Prospere and Evans blanked a spirited St Lucia Team Two of Clio Phillip and Jemima Evans , 21-14, 22-20.

In the other half of the semis, Grenada defeated St Kitts and Nevis’ Brenda Allen and Zenelle Edwards  15-21, 21-18, 15-13.

St Kitts went to take the bronze medal, as Allen and  Lake registered a 2-1 ( 19-21, 21-13, 15-8) win over Phillip and Evans.

The other competing teams were Dominica, Antigua and Barbuda and St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Women set up title charge in ECVA Beach Volleyball  

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CASTRIES, St Lucia, February 25, 2023.- Following two days of play, the semi-finalists are known in the Women’s segment of the Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) Senior Beach Volleyball Tournament here at the Cul de Sac Bay.

Advancing to the last four from the initial seven team race,  are Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, along with St Lucia’s Team One and Team Two.

 Grenada, represented by Thornia Mitchell and Renisha Stafford emerged as Pool A winners, after  beating St Lucia’s Team Two of Clio Phillip and Jemima Evans 21-14, 19-21, 15-9.

Topping Pool B was St Lucia Team One of Denila Prospere and Chenao Evans, who beat Tamerca Cabey and Nyla Edmund, 2-0 ( 21-15, 21-12).

Prospere and Evans also defeated St Vincent and the Grenadines’ Shanadia Sylvester and Saquanna Duncan, 21-11, 21-7.

Other Day Two Results

St Kitts and Nevis’ Brenda Allen and Genelle Lake beat  Sylvester and Duncan,  21-10, 21-14 and Josanne Lewis and Zenelle Edwards of Antigua and Barbuda 21-14, 21-11.

And, St Lucia’s Team Two of Phillip and Evans beat Cabey and Edmund 21-7, 21-14.

The semi-finals pit Grenada against St Kitts and Nevis, with St Lucia One and Two battling in the other.

The winners then go for gold, with the losers seek the consolation bronze.

Semi- finalists decided in ECVA Beach Volleyball  Men’s Play

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CASTRIES, St Lucia, February 25, 2023:  St Lucia Team One, Bermuda, St Kitts and Nevis as well as  Antigua and Barbuda, are through to the semi-finals of the Men’s segment of the Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) Senior Beach Volleyball Tournament here at the Cul de Sac Bay.

The match ups feature St Lucia Team One against Bermuda, while St Kitts and Nevis opposes Antigua and Barbuda.

The four emerged from Pool play and elimination matches decided on day two.

St Lucia Team One , composed of Sheldon Descartes and Joseph Clercent  beat Grenada’s Darron Oxford and Isaac Nelson  21- 13, 21-16 , to top Pool A, before gaining a 2-0 win over St Lucia Team Three, who forfeited their elimination match.

The Descartes and Clercent combination  meet Bermuda’s Ryan Davies and Brandon Sousa in the semi-finals.

Bermuda, after finishing second in Pool B, with a 1-1 win/loss ratio, crossed path with second place in Pool C, St Vincent and the Grenadines. Davis and Sousa though beat Asmond Franklyn and Jad Martin 2-0 (21-13, 21-16).

Meanwhile,  Antigua and Barbuda’s  Adrian Constant and Jamarie James had straight sets win 21-15, 21-9, over the St Lucia’s Team Three, composed of  Charles Blair and Mario Victor, to finish Pool C perfect with two wins.

Constant and James then defeated Yhan Florent and Keaun Reefe 2-1( 16-21, 21-19, 15-11), to clinch their semi-final spot.

Similarly, St Kitts and Nevis’ St Clair Hodge and Shawn Seabrookes  overcame St Lucia’s Team Three duo of  Rio Victor/ Anil Larcher   21- 6, 21-12, to top Pool B .

Hodge and Seabrookes then went on to beat Darren Oxford and  Isaac Nelson of Grenada, 21-8, 21-7, to set up their showdown with Antigua Barbuda.

The other result on day two, saw St Lucia’s Team Two of Rio Victor and  Anil Larcher defeating St Lucia Team Three of Charles Blair and Mario Victor,  21-18, 21-17.

The two semi-final winners meet in the Gold medal match, before the two losers left to battle for the bronze.

St Lucia and Grenada Women show worth in ECVA Beach Tournament

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CASTRIES, St Lucia, February 24, 2023.-  Both St Lucia Women’s teams, as well as Grenada, completed day one, with a win apiece in their segment of the Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) Senior Beach Volleyball Tournament here at the Cul de Sac Bay.

St Lucia Team Two and Grenada registered wins in Pool A.  The combination of Clio Phillip and Jemima Evans was taken to three sets by St Kitts and Nevis’ Brenda Allen and Genelle Lake, but prevailed 9-21, 21-18, 15-13.

Also, in Pool A, Grenada’s Thornia Mitchell and Renisha Stafford got past St Vincent and the Grenadines’ Shanadia Sylvester and Saquanna Duncan 2-0 (21-19, 21-18).

More success came for St Lucia in Pool B, as Denila Prospere and Chenoa Evans, making up Team One, defeated Antigua and Barbuda’s Josanne Lewis and Zellene Edwards, 2-0 (21-17, 21-13).

This was after Lewis and Edwards had recorded a 2-1 (21-18, 13-21, 15-10) win over Dominica’s Tarmeca Cabey and Nyla Edmund.

Among Day Two’s matches are Dominica versus St Lucia Team One, St Lucia Team Two against Grenada, as well as St Vincent and the Grenadines versus St Kitts and Nevis.

Also slated for Day Two are three single elimination matches.

Three teams stay unbeaten after Day One in Men’s Pools

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CASTRIES, St Lucia, February 24, 2023.- St Lucia Team One, St Kitts and Nevis, along with Antigua and Barbuda, played unbeaten on Day One, in the Men’s segment of the Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) Senior Beach Volleyball Tournament here at the Cul de Sac Bay.

Playing in Pool A, St Lucia Team One, composed of Sheldon Descartes and Joseph Clercent beat the Dominican duo of Yahn Florent and Keaun Reefe  2-0( 21-11, 21-15).

Likewise, in Pool B, St Kitts and Nevis, represented by St Clair Hodge and Shawn Seabrookes defeated Bermuda’s Ryan Davies and Brandon Sousa, also 2-0( 21-13, 21-13).

Meanwhile, in Pool C, Antigua’s duo of Adrian Constant and Jamarie James beat St Vincent and the Grenadines’ Asmond  Franklyn and Jad Martin 2-0 (21-18, 21-14).

However, it was Franklyn and Martin who got the days proceedings going, as they beat St Lucia Team Three of  Charles Blair and Mario Victor,  2-0 ( 21-12, 21-5). The Vincentians thus ended the day, with a 1-1 win/loss ratio.

Also registering one win and one loss were  Dominica and Bermuda.

Dominica’s  Florent and Reefe beat Grenada’s  Isaac Nelson and Darron Oxford  2-0( 21-19, 21-19),  with Bermuda’s Davies and Sousa overcoming St Lucia Team Two of  Rio Victor and  Anil Larcher  2-0 ( 21-16, 21-8).

On Day Two, Saturday, Pool play concludes with Antigua and Barbuda meeting St Lucia Team Three, St Kitts and Nevis plays St Lucia Team Two and St Lucia Team One opposes Grenada.

Also slated for Day Two are five matches in a Single Elimination round.

Teams battle for ECVA Senior Beach Volleyball honours

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CASTRIES, St Lucia, February 23, 2023: Nine male teams and seven female outfits, will battle for honours  in the Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) Senior Beach Volleyball Tournament here at the Cul de Sac Bay.

Making up the nine male teams are pairs from Antigua and Barbuda, Bermuda, Grenada, Dominica, St Kitts and Nevis, St Vincent and the Grenadines and host St Lucia will feature three teams. They are stashed in three pools.

Meanwhile, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St Vincent and the Grenadines , St Kitts and Nevis and two teams from St Lucia, make up the female lot. The females are placed in two pools.

Ahead of  the opening matches, teams are eagerly looking forward to show their wares on the courts.

St Clair Hodge- St Kitts and Nevis’ Male team

“ We are truly happy that the tournament is back. Our goal is to come out on top, but we are also looking at developing the sport, because we have some young players who we are mentoring so it is important that we do well”.

Asmond Franklyn- St Vincent and the Grenadines’ Male team

“ We are here to do well and play some hard Volleyball. I know that we have some experienced players, some I have played against, so my partner and I are up to the challenge”.

Brandon Sousa- Bermuda Male team

“We are relatively new to this. We had our first Norceca Tournament in the Cayman Islands last November. Despite this, our expectations are high as we have been training hard for this and do well”.

Tonya Mitchell – Grenada Female team

“ I expect us to perform well because we have been in training for a while and we have been playing together for sometime now, having attended some major tournaments before.  In saying so, we know that others are well prepared, but we are here to do our best and make our country proud”.

Joseann Lewis – Antigua and Barbuda Female team

“My expectation for this tournament is for us to go out and play  hard and have a lot of positive energy. We have been training hard for this and I believe that we will do well and go home with the first- place trophy”.

Clio Phillip- St Lucia Female Team Two

“ My partner and I have been training for this tournament for the past six weeks. We plan to play well, because we normally play well together and do our best and hopefully win the tournament”.

The Tournament’s format shows that the males will have nine matches in pool play, along with five matches in the single elimination round, while the females host seven matches in the pool play, three matches in the single elimination round.

In both genders, four teams will emerge to the semi-finals, before the finalists are determined.

The Tournament serves off on Friday, February 24, with six matches in Men’s play, with four matches scheduled among the females.

Hughes & Cheng claim historic Beach Pro Tour title

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DOHA, Qatar, January 29, 2023.- Sara Hughes and Kelly Cheng of the United States are the first-ever Beach Pro Tour champions, winning the gold medal match of the Doha Beach Pro Tour Finals 2-0 (21-18, 21-16) over reigning world champions and world’s top-ranked team Eduarda Santos Lisboa (Duda) and Ana Patricia Ramos of Brazil.

Shortly after reuniting as a team some three months ago, the two 27-year-old Americans won gold at the first AVP Tour event together and followed up with trophies at their first two appearances on the Beach Pro Tour, November’s Challenge and Elite16 events in Torquay. They received a wild card to compete at the season Finals in Doha and mad it pay off.

Hughes and Cheng climbed to the top of the historic podium, which means they have already won four high-level tournaments in a row since teaming up.

Beach Pro Tour 2022 Finals in Doha

Sunday’s gold medal match started better for ninth-seeded Hughes and Cheng. They quickly built up a four-point lead, which Duda and Ana Patricia just as quickly wiped out. For a short while, the Brazilians even stepped in front, but the Americans regained control in the money time of the first set to claim it after two consecutive swings by Hughes, for the set point and for the set winner. They broke away with an early 3-0 lead in the second set and then just kept pace until Hughes again shaped up the final 2-0 (21-18, 21-16) with a successful spike. Cheng and Duda shared the top scorer honors of the final with 20 points apiece.

Sara Hughes and Kelly Cheng Gold Medal at Beach Pro Tour (The Finals) in Doha

“Kelly and I are so happy! That was just such an amazing finish!” Hughes exclaimed after the last whistle. “I am so proud of her! She was absolutely perfect, and I think we are very steady as a team. We are so excited to come out with a win, and we are also looking forward to next week.”

“I am speechless right now. I’m really proud of our team,” Cheng added. “We have another tournament next week, so we are probably going to get some ice cream from the mall and then sleep for like 12 hours tonight. We’ll sleep and recover as best as we can and then get out and fight next week.”

In semifinals, Hughes and Cheng recovered from losing the first set to Katja Stam and Raisa Schoon of the Netherlandsam with a 2-1 (24-26, 21-19, 15-10) victory. Cheng was on fire in attack and delivered the math high of 30 points, including two kill blocks. Stam and Schoon went on to win the bronze-medal.  

The other two NORCECA teams competing, Americans Kristen Nuss and Taryn Kloth and Sarah Pavan with Sophie Bukovec of Canada finished in fifth and ninth place respectively.

Samuel Schatcher and Daniel Dearing win the NORCECA Tour Finals

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PUNTA CANA, Dominican Republic, December 11, 2022.- Samuel Schatcher and Daniel Dearing of Canada won the 2022 NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour Finals in an extended 2-1 (16-21, 21-19, 15-12) to Noslen Díaz and Luis Alayo of Cuba on Sunday in Punta Cana.

Samuel Schatcher scored an ace to celebrate with Daniel Dearing their gold medal win against a strong Cuban duo and the rough wind in Punta Cana.

Sam and Daniel lost to Díaz and Alayo in pool-play which added an extra pressure in the anticipating final match.

After winning the gold, Daniel explained the difference between their previous match against Cuba “watching painful video of losing a match and readjusting, making corrections; it’s painful to watch your mistakes and try to do better. Cuba is such a good team that it still came down to a slim difference”.

Sam said “it was very difficult and exciting, Cuba is extremely talented. I’m so blessed to have such a talented partner that did so well and steady the entire time. It was windy out here and the conditions were difficult to play in, the level was very high”. About scoring an ace for the win he added “when it comes down to the wire, we are very aggressive, we can live with our mistakes, and I went for it”.

Samuel Schatcher and Daniel Dearing of Canada

Schatcher and Dearing reached the title match winning their semifinal to Chaim Schalk and Theodore Brunner of the United States 2-0 (21-19, 21-17). While Díaz and Alayo came into the gold medal match after a rough three-set win 2-1 (18-21, 21-17, 16-14) to Juan Virgen and Miguel Sarabia of Mexico.

Schalk and Brunner won the bronze medal to Virgen and Sarabia 2-0 (21-15, 21-18).

In fifth place, Andy Blanco/Luis García of Guatemala defeated Jhostin Varela/Daniel Dyner of Costa Rica 2-0 (21-14, 21-19). Earlier Varela and Dyner beat Dominicans Oscar Martínez and Hayerling De Jesús 2-0 (21-17, 21-19) who ended the event in seventh place.

Bryce Mayer and Travis Lee of the U.S. Virgin Islands beat Franklin Flores and Pepe Vargas of El Salvador 2-0 (21-19, 21-18) for ninth place; while eleventh place went to Mark Blake and Owayne Lawrence of Jamaica defeating Puerto Ricans Franco Roark/Lorenzo Rivera 2-0 (21-17, 15-21, 15-7).

Betsi Flint and Julia Scoles 2022 NORCECA Tour Finals champions

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PUNTA CANA, Dominican Republic, December 11, 2022.- Betsi Flint and Julia Scoles of the United States were crowned champions of the 2022 NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour Finals winning the gold medal match to Allanis Navas and María González of Puerto Rico 2-0 (21-16, 21-19) on Sunday in Punta Cana.

Tournament first seeded Betsi Flint and Julia Scoles commanded the actions despite Navas and González efforts of keeping the scores close and missing two match points (20-17) before their gold medal victory.

“It’s exciting winning the gold. It was a battle of who was going to be better in the win and we are excited to get this experience together as a team; and just put the pressure on them” said Betsi.

Julia said that going into the finals you never know how it’s going to fall “both teams have gone through a lot of teams to get to that point, so you are prepared for a battle; Puerto Rico gave us a great fight, I’m thankful we were able to pull it out”.

In their semifinal match, Flint and Scoles defeated the duo of Atenas Gutiérrez and Abril Flores of Mexico 2-0 (21-11, 21-19), while Navas and González came from behind 2-1 (14-21, 21-13, 15-13) against Canadians Amanda Harnett and Marie-Alex Bélanger.

Betsi Flint USA spikes

In the bronze medal match, Harnett and Bélanger recovered from falling in the first set to defeat Mexicans Gutiérrez/Flores 2-1 (18-21, 21-10, 17-15) to win their third consecutive bronze medal of the season.

For fifth place, Cubans Nahomi Charlot and Dayani Zerqueira defeated the local team of Bethania Almanzar and Crismil Paniagua recovering from falling in the first set 2-1 (20-22, 21-13, 15-7).

Earlier Charlot/Dayani dominated Angel Williams and Kianny Quesada of Costa Rica 2-0 (21-19, 21-13) and Almanzar/Paniagua beat Amber Bennett and Taylor Buchner of the U.S. Virgin Islands 2-0 (27-25, 21-18).

In other positions, Costa Ricans Williams and Quesada prevailed 2-0 (21-16, 21-18) against Bennett/ Buchner of the U.S. Virgin Islands for seventh place.

While Socorro Lopez and Lolette Rodriguez of Nicaragua took ninth place over Yvonne Soler and Sofía Velásquez of El Salvador 2-0 (21-16, 21-16).

Guatemala’s Girón and Monney finished eleventh place over Smith and Chauna of Jamaica 2-0 (21-19, 21-17).

Canada, Mexico, Cuba and United States reach men’s semifinals

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PUNTA CANA, Dominican Republic, December 10, 2022.- Canada, Mexico, Cuba and the United States reached the men’s semifinals of the 2022 NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour Finals after winning their quarterfinal matches in Punta Cana.

Sunday’s men’s semifinals feature Samuel Schatcher and Daniel Dearing of Canada against Chaim Schalk and Theodore Brunner of the U.S. and Mexicans Juan Virgen and Miguel Sarabia facing Cubans Noslen Díaz and Luis Alayo.

The first team to reach the semifinals was Samuel Schatcher and Daniel Dearing of Canada taking down Dominicans Oscar Martínez and Hayerling De Jesus 2-0 (21-17, 21-11).

Earlier, Scatcher and Dearing finished second in pool B falling 0-2 (16-21, 20-22) to Cubans Noslen Díaz and Luis Alayo who recovered from a five-point deficit (15-20) in the second set stealing their opportunity to play a tie-break.

Later, Díaz and Alayo prevailed 2-0 (21-11, 21-13) against Guatemalans Andy Blanco and Luis García to move into the semifinals.

Juan Virgen and Miguel Sarabia of Mexico defeated Ruben Mora and Jefferson Cascante of Nicaragua 2-0 (21-19, 21-16) to advance to semifinals. Previously, Virgen and Sarabia topped pool C over Dominicans Martínez/ De Jesus 2-0 (21-12, 21-12).

Juan Virgen of Mexico

Americans Chaim Schalk and Theodore Brunner defeated Jhostin Varela and Daniel Dyner of Costa Rica 2-0 (21-11, 21-18), who came from beating Franklin Flores and Pepe Vargas of El Salvador 2-0 (21-14, 21-17) to advance into the play-offs.

Earlier in pool-play, Schalk and Brunner finished first in pool A beating Nicaraguans Ruben Mora and Jefferson Cascante 2-0 (21-19, 21-19), while Blanco/García of Guatemala took third place over Franco Roark and Lorenzo Rivera of Puerto Rico 2-0 (21-13, 21-12).

Third place in pool B went to Flores/Pepe (ESA) who defeated Bryce Mayer and Travis Edward Lee of the U.S. Virgin Islands 2-0 (21-16, 21-17).

In pool C, Dominicans Oscar Martínez and Hayerling De Jesus won 2-0 (21-16, 21-12) to Mark Blake and Owayne Lawrence of Jamaica; while Jhostin Varela and Daniel Dyner of Costa Rica also beat Jamaicans 2-0 (21-10, 21-16).

In matches for positions 9/12 Flores and Pepe of El Salvador dominated Puerto Ricans Roark/Rivera 2-0 (21-19, 22-20) and Mayer/Lee (ISV) defeated Blake/Lawrence (JAM) 2-0 (21-15, 21-19).

Mexico, Puerto Rico, Canada and USA advance to women’s semifinals

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PUNTA CANA, Dominican Republic, December 10, 2022.- Mexico, Puerto Rico, Canada and the United States advanced to the women’s semifinals of the 2022 NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour Finals in Punta Cana.

Mexicans Atenas Gutiérrez and Abril Flores were challenged by Dominicans Bethania Almanzar and Crismil Paniagua in a three-set quarterfinal battle 2-1 (21-11, 19-21, 15-10).

Amanda Harnett and Marie-Alex Bélanger of Canada prevailed 2-0 (21-17, 21-11) in quarterfinals against Cubans Nahomi Charlot and Dayani Zerqueira 2-0 (21-17, 21-11), who earlier defeated Petal Smith and Kelly Chauna of Jamaica 2-0 (22-20, 21-13) in their last pool A match.

On their way to semifinals, Allanis Navas and María González of Puerto Rico started the day winning pool C to Bethania Almanzar and Crismil Paniagua of Dominican Republic 2-0 (21-8, 21-8) and then in quarterfinals they beat Angel Williams and Kianny Quesada of Costa Rica 2-0 (21-12, 21-12).

Betsi Flint and Julia Scoles of the United States, who topped pool A on Friday, earned an easy 2-0 (21-8, 21-8) quarterfinal win to Amber Bennett and Taylor Buchner of the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Amanda Harnett of Canada

On Sunday’s semifinals, Americans Betsi Flint and Julia Scoles will face Atenas Gutierrez and Abril Flores of Mexico, followed by Allanis Navas and Maria González of Puerto Rico against Canadians Amanda Harnett and Marie-Alex Bélanger.

In other results, Bennett/Buchner (ISV) won to Yvonne Soler/Sofía Velásquez of El Salvador 2-0 (22-20, 21-13) and then played an extra match to advance to the quarterfinals, working hard to defeat Socorro López and Lolette Rodríguez of Nicaragua 2-1 (21-18, 18-21, 15-10) who earlier prevailed 2-0 (21-19, 21-17) against Natalia Girón and Naomi Monney of Guatemala.

In classification matches for position 9/12, Nicaraguans Lopez/Lolette defeated Smith/Chauna of Jamaica 2-1 (22-20, 15-21, 15-13) and Soler/Velásquez of El Salvador beat Girón/Monney of Guatemala 2-0 (21-19, 21-16).

United States and Canada book tickets to quarterfinals

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PUNTA CANA, Dominican Republic, December 9, 2022.- United States and Canada booked their tickets to the quarterfinals of the 2022 NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour Finals on Friday at Punta Cana.

First seeded Betsi Flint and Julia Scores of the United States won two matches to top pool A on day one of the event.

Flint and Scores started with a 2-0 (21-12, 21-10) victory over Cuban duo of Nahomi Charlot and Dayani Zerqueira and then they prevailed against Angel Williams and Kianny Quesada of Costa Rica 2-0 (21-13, 21-6), who earlier beat Petal Smith and Kelly Chauna of Jamaica 2-0 (21-7, 21-17).

Williams and Quesada landed second place in pool A and also progressed into the quarterfinals.

Canadians Amanda Harnett and Marie-Alex Bélanger won pool B defeating Yvonne Soler and Sofía of El Salvador 2-0 (21-12, 21-9) and recovering from losing the first set to Mexicans Atenas Gutiérrez and Abril Flores 2-1 (18-21, 21-18, 15-11) in what was the most challenging match of the day.

Julia Scores of USA

Gutiérrez and Flores beat Amber Bennett and Taylor Buchner of the U. S. Virgin Islands 2-0 (21-6, 21-9), finishing second place in pool B and reaching the quarterfinal round.

In pool C, Allanis Navas and María González of Puerto Rico managed a comfortable 2-0 (21-11, 21-14) victory against Nicaraguans Socorro López and Lolette Rodríguez. While Dominicans Bethania Almanzar and Crismil Paniagua struggled in the second set to beat Natalia Girón and Naomi Monney of Guatemala 2-0 (21-14, 22-20).

Pool C winner will be decided on Saturday with the match between Puerto Rico’s tandem Navas/Gonzalez and Almanzar/Paniagua of the Dominican Republic.

Pool-play resumes on Saturday to complete the final eight moving into the knockout round.

Five men’s teams with successful start at the NORCECA Tour Finals

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PUNTA CANA, Dominican Republic, December 9, 2022.- Five men’s teams had a successful start at the 2022 NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour Finals on Friday at Punta Cana.

Rubén Mora alongside Jefferson Cascante of Nicaragua were the first to hit the sand winning to Andy Blanco and Luis García of Guatemala in exciting overtime 2-1 (22-20, 17-21, 15-13) in pool A, while Chaim Schalk and Theodore Brunner of the United States prevailed 2-0 (21-11, 21-19) against Franco Roark and Lorenzo Rivera of Puerto Rico.

Pool A top finisher will be decided between Mora/Cascante of Nicaragua and Americans Schalk/Brunner.

In pool B, Cubans Noslen Díaz and Luis Alayo had no difficulties in beating Franklin Flores and David “Pepe” Vargas of El Salvador 2-0 (21-10, 21-15).  

Daniel Dearing of Canada

On the other hand, Samuel Schatcher and Daniel Dearing of Canada downed Bryce Mayer and Travis Edward Lee of the U.S. Virgin Islands 2-0 (21-8, 21-12).

First place in pool B will be the winner between Diaz/Alayo and Schatcher/Dearing.

The only match played in pool C was won by Mexican duo of Juan Virgen and Miguel Sarabia over Jhostin Varela and Daniel Dyner of Costa Rica 2-0 (21-9, 21-16).

Pool play will be completed on Saturday to then play the quarterfinals.

NORCECA Tour Finals start Friday in Punta Cana

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PUNTA CANA, Dominican Republic, December 8, 2022.- The 2022 NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour Finals, the beginning of the Olympic Qualification System of NORCECA to Paris 2024 kicks off on Friday with the preliminary pool-play.

The Beach Volleyball Director of the Dominican Republic Volleyball Federation, Amos Anglada, welcomed the 24 participating teams on behalf of NORCECA President Cristóbal Marte Hoffiz during the General Technical meeting on Thursday, that opened with a minute of silence in memory of Dr. Roosevelt Comarazamy, NORCECA Press Officer who recently passed away.

Amos Anglade, was accompanied by Oscar De La Cruz, representative of the Dominican Ministry of Tourism.

Julio Martínez, Competition Director explained that teams are distributed in three pools of four, starting with the modified pool-play round on Friday at 9:00 am (local time).

In women, United States registered Betsi Flint and Julia Scoles who won the silver medal a few days ago at the Beach Pro Tour Elite 16 in Torquay, Australia.

As well as Puerto Ricans Allanis Navas and María González winner of the first Central American and Caribbean Games of Sea and Beach in Santa Marta, one gold medal and two silvers in this NORCECA Tour season.

Also Amanda Harnett and Marie-Alex Bélanger of Canada will aim for their first gold medal after winning three bronze medals and a silver this year.

In the men’s division Cubans Noslen Díaz and Luis Alayo opened the tour winning the first stop in Aguascalientes, and winning a silver and a bronze, as well as finishing champions in Santa Marta.

Juan Virgen returns with teammate Miguel Sarabia of Mexico, this 2022 they won a silver and bronze.

While Andy Leonardo and Luis García of Guatemala finished second place in Managua and Cayman Islands.

Women’s Pools: Pool AUnited States, Jamaica, Costa Rica, Cuba; Pool B Mexico, Canada, El Salvador, U.S. Virgin Islands; Pool C Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Nicaragua, Guatemala.

Men´s Pools: Pool A United States, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico; Pool B Canada, Cuba, El Salvador, U.S. Virgin Islands; Pool C Dominican Republic, Mexico, Costa Rica, Jamaica.

Women’s Teams

CAN Amanda Harnett/Marie-Alex Bélanger; CRC Angel Williams/Kianny Araya Quesada; CUB Charlot Deroncele Nahomi/Dayani Zerqueira Morera; DOM Bethania Almanzar/Crismil Paniagua; ESA Yvonne Soler/Sofía Velásquez; GUA Natalia Girón/Naomi Monney; JAM Petal Smith/Kelly Chauna; MEX Atenas Gutiérrez/Abril Flores; NCA Socorro López/Lolette Rodríguez; PUR Allanis Navas/María González; USA Betsi Flint/Julia Scoles; ISV Amber Bennett/Taylor Buchner

Men’s Teams

CAN Samuel Schatcher/Daniel Dearing; CRC Jhostin Varela/Daniel Dyner; CUB Noslen Díaz/Jorge Luis Alayo; DOM Oscar Martínez/Hayerling De Jesús; ESA Franklin Flores/David Vargas; GUA Andy Leonardo Blanco/Luis García; JAM Mark Blake/Owayne Lawrence; MEX Juan Virgen/Miguel Sarabia; NCA Ruben Mora/Jefferson Cascante; PUR Franco Roark/Lorenzo Antonio Rivera; USA Chaim Schalk/Theodore Brunner; ISV Bryce Mayer/Travis Edward Lee

2022 NORCECA Continental Tour Final headed to Punta Cana

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PUNTA CANA, Dominican Republic, December 5, 2022.- Twelve countries have registered for the 2022 NORCECA Beach Volleyball Continental Tour Final to be held from December 9-11 in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.

The first stage of the road to Paris 2024 starts on Friday in Punta Cana, marking the beginning of the NORCECA Beach Volleyball Paris 2024 Olympic Qualification System, which consists of a series of three NORCECA Tour Finals (2022, 2023 and 2024).

After completing the three Finals, eight National Federations per gender will qualify for the 2024 NORCECA Beach Volleyball Olympic Qualification Finals to be held in June 2024, where the winning National Federation in each gender will qualify directly for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Each NORCECA Beach Tour Finals (2022, 2023 and 2024) consists of 12 National Federations per gender with a maximum of one team per National Federation per gender, according to the NORCECA Continental Beach Volleyball ranking.

The teams competing this weekend will go through the preliminary inquiry and the general technical meeting on Thursday where pool distribution and competition schedule will be confirmed.

Women’s Teams

CAN Amanda Harnett/Marie-Alex Bélanger; CRC Angel Williams/Kianny Araya; DOM Bethania Almanzar/Crismil Paniagua; CUB Charlot Deroncele Nahomi/Dayani Zerqueira Morera; ESA Yvonne Soler/Blanza Luz Colato; GUA Natalia Girón/Laura Quiñonez; JAM Petal Smith/Danielle Watson; MEX Atenas Gutiérrez/Abril Flores; NCA Socorro López/Lolette Rodríguez; PUR Allanis Navas/María González; USA Terese Cannon/Sarah Sponcil; ISV Amber Bennett/Taylor Buchner

Men’s Teams

CAN Samuel Schatcher/Daniel Dearing; CRC Jhostin Varela/Daniel Dyner; CUB Noslen Díaz/Jorge Luis Alayo; DOM Oscar Martínez/Harllen De Jesús; ESA Franklin Flores/Armando Guatemala; GUA Andy Leonardo Blanco/Luis García; JAM Mark Blake/Owayne Lawrence; MEX Juan Virgen/Miguel Sarabia; NCA Ruben Mora/Jefferson Cascante; PUR Franco Roark/Lorenzo Antonio Rivera; USA Chaim Schalk/Theodore Brunner; ISV Bryce Mayer/Travis Edward Lee

Cubans Alayo and Diaz win gold in Santa Marta in thrilling three sets

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SANTA MARTA, Colombia, November 26, 2022.- Cubans Luis Alayo and Noslen Diaz needed three sets to beat the home team of Juan Noriega and Yefferson De La Hoz 2-1 (21-17, 20-22, 15-10) for the gold of the first Central American and Caribbean Sea and Beach Games in Santa Marta.

The crowd filled up the stands of the Multisports Park “500 años” to support the Colombian team who were able to stop Cuba’s offensive thanks to Yefferson De La Hoz serves and Juan Noriega’s defense.

Diaz kept his serenity and Alayo with his explosive game shut the crowd that enjoyed a challenging match.

Luis Alayo spoke after the game “it was a nice final, as expected. The first set was productive for Cuba and the second set was tense, I lost focus in the technical part and Colombia took advantage. We went out looking to win the third set for the gold medal for Cuba”.

Luis Alayo Cuba in semifinals vs El Salvador

Noslen Diaz expressed “it was a demanding match, we expected it from Colombia as host of the event, they had great strength. We were able to adjust all the steps we needed to come out with the victory”.

Alayo and Diaz progressed to the gold medal match winning their semifinal without difficulties over siblings Yoel and Cristopher Guardado of El Salvador 2-0 (21-11, 21-9), while Colombians De La Hoz and Noriega dominated Mexicans Alexis Galicia and Oziel Aguirre 2-0 (21-16, 21-19).

The match for the bronze medal was very close, won by Mexico with Galicia and Aguirre 2-0 (25-23, 21-19) against the Guardado team of El Salvador.

Men’s Results Saturday

SEMIFINALS CUB d ESA 2-0 (21-11, 21-9); COL d MEX 2-0 (21-16, 21-19)

BRONZE MEDAL MEX d ESA 2-0 (25-23, 21-19); GOLD MEDAL CUB d COL 2-1 (21-17, 20-22, 15-10)

Cubans Alayo and Noslen undefeated into semifinals

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SANTA MARTA, Colombia, November 25, 2022.- Cubans Luis Alayo and Noslen Díaz the only undefeated team to reach the men’s semifinals of the first Central American and Caribbean Games of Sea and Beach in Santa Marta.

Alayo and Noslen have proven to be the strongest team of the tournament reaching the semifinals without losses; in quarterfinals they defeated Venezuelans Luisangel Vargas and Willian Perez 2-0 (21-11, 21-14). Vargas and Perez came from beating Dimanche Elsevijf and Timothy Van Henneigen of Curacao 2-0 (21-14, 21-17) in playoffs.

Also reaching semifinals were Cristopher and Yoel Guardado of El Salvador who continue to surprise while managing a comfortable 2-0 (21-9, 21-9) quarterfinal victory over Joshua Persaud and Nicholas Williams of Trinidad and Tobago.

Persaud and Williams (TTO) earlier beat Lorenzo Jn Pierre and Rio Jaden Victor of St. Lucia 2-0 (21-16, 21-15).

Colombians Juan Noriega and Yefferson De La Hoz were determined to be a finalist showing a consistent performance during their two outings of the day. In playoffs, they beat Franco Roark and Lorenzo Rivera of Puerto Rico 2-0 (21-11, 21-10) and then won their quarterfinal match over Nicaragua’s duo of Cristopher and Jefferson Cascante 2-0 (21-15, 21-15).

Colombia vs Nicaragua

Alexis Galicia and Isaías Aguirre of Mexico also reached the semifinals winning a thrilling quarterfinal match in a tie-break 2-1 (21-13, 18-21, 15-14) against Dominicans Hayerling De Jesús and Oscar Martínez. Isaías Aguirre needed medical assistance due to a minor cut, that made it even more nail biting.

Galicia and Aguirre advanced to quarterfinals after previously beating Crifforth Lobo and José Pablo Fernández of Costa Rica 2-0 (21-15, 21-12).

Saturday’s semifinals feature Cristopher and Yoel Guardado of El Salvador against Luis Alayo and Noslen Díaz of Cuba, and Colombians Juan Noriega and Yefferson De La Hoz against Mexicans Alexis Galicia and Isaías Aguirre.

Men’s Results Friday

PLAYOFFS TTO d LCA 2-0 (21-16, 21-15); VEN d CUR 2-0 (21-14, 21-17); COL d PUR 2-0 (21-11, 21-10); MEX d CRC 2-0 (21-15, 21-12)

QF ESA d TTO 2-0 (21-9, 21-9); CUB d VEN 2-0 (21-11, 21-14); COL d NCA 2-0 (21-15, 21-15); MEX d DOM 2-1 (21-13, 18-21, 15-14)

Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Cuba and Mexico remain as finalists Santa Marta 

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SANTA MARTA, Colombia, November 24, 2022.- Women’s top four teams of Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Cuba and Mexico remain as finalists after winning the I Central American and Caribbean Sea and Beach Games quarterfinals at the Santa Marta Multisport “500 años” in El Rodadero.

Puerto Ricans Allanis Navas and María González of Puerto Rico kept their strong defense display over Gabriela Funes and Sofía Velásquez of El Salvador 2-0 (21-10, 21-11), who earlier won their playoff to Chlouie Gaetos and Deajra Tulloch of Cayman Islands 2-0 (21-10, 21-11).

Venezuelans Luisana Linares and Yhonnielis Camacho dominated Nahima Silva and Alejandra Rosales of Nicaragua 2-0 (21-15, 21-11). Previously, Silva/Rosales beat Suriname’s Shaniva and Sharon Balkaran 2-0 (21-12, 21-15).

Amanda Armanteros and Jennifer Rivera of Cuba needed a stronger effort in the first set to beat Colombians Ana Fernanda Beltrán and Vanessa Buenañoz 2-0 (21-19, 21-13) who came from an easy victory against Dei Padmore and Serena Edwards of Barbados 2-0 (21-9, 21-9) in playoffs.

Camacho – Venezuela

Mexicans Abril Flores and Katherine Albarran downed Kianny Araya and Ximena Nuñez of Costa Rica 2-0 (21-11, 21-10). Earlier in playoffs, Araya and Nuñez defeated Britney Choon and Tsyan Selvon of Trinidad and Tobago 2-0 (21-11, 21-13).

The first semifinal on Saturday is between Allanis Navas and María González of Puerto Rico against Abril Flores and Katherine Albarran of Mexico, followed by the semifinal between Cubans Amanda Armanteros and Jennifer Rivera against Luisana Linares and Yhonnielis Camacho of Venezuela.

Medal matches are scheduled to start at noon.

Friday’s Results Women

PLAY OFFS ESA d CAY 2-0 (21-10, 21-11); CRC d TTO 2-0 (21-11, 21-13); COL d BAR 2-0 (21-9, 21-9); NCA d SUR 2-0 (21-12, 21-15)

QF PUR d ESA 2-0 (21-10, 21-11); MEX d CRC 2-0 (21-11, 21-10); CUB d COL 2-0 (21-19, 21-13); VEN d NCA 2-0 (21-15, 21-11)

Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Cuba and Mexico move into women’s quarterfinals

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SANTA MARTA, Colombia, November 24, 2022.- Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Cuba and Mexico win their pools and advance into the women’s quarterfinals of the I Central American and Caribbean Sea and Beach Games in Santa Marta.

Allanis Navas and María González of Puerto Rico remain unstoppable, becoming a tournament favorite to win the gold after winning pool A upsetting the home team Ana Fernanda Beltrán and Vanessa Buenañoz 2-0 (21-6, 21-12). Earlier, they had no resistance in beating Khrysti Rosa and Kim Hughes of the U.S. Virgin Islands 2-0 (21-3, 21-4).

Beltrán and Buenañoz finished second in pool A, earning a 2-0 (21-12, 21-9) win over Shaniva and Sharon Balkaran of Suriname who finished third after defeating the U.S. Virgin Islands 2-0 (21-19, 21-16).

Venezuelans Luisana Linares and Yhonnielis Camacho dominated pool B with a 2-0 (21-11, 21-10) victory against Jossanne Lewis and Nia Benjamin of Antigua and Barbuda.

Kianny Araya and Ximena Nuñez of Costa Rica, with two victories, 2-0 (21-12, 21-18) over Dei Padmore and Serena Edwards of Barbados and 2-0 (21-8, 21-10) against Lewis/Benjamin of Antigua and Barbuda, finish second in pool B.

In pool C, Cubans Amanda Armanteros and Jennifer Rivera had to focus to prevail in their two outings of the day, first against Alexandria Ashman and Chevonna Lewis of Jamaica 2-0 (21-13, 21-17) and then against Britney Choon and Tsyan Selvon of Trinidad and Tobago 2-0 (21-17, 21-15).

Vanessa Buenañoz Colombia

While Gabriela Funes and Sofía Velásquez of El Salvador, second in pool C, also beat Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago. First, they came on top of Choon/Selvon 2-0 (21-17, 21-7) and then over Ashman/Lewis 2-0 (21-15, 21-12).

Abril Flores and Esperanza Albarrán of Mexico topped pool D without difficulties dominating Chlouie Gaetos and Deajra Tulloch of Cayman Islands 2-0 (21-6, 21-4) and Chenoa Evans and Clio Phillip of St. Lucia 2-0 (21-4, 21-4).

Also in pool D, Nicaraguans Alejandra Rosales and Nahima Silva joined the winning teams beating Evans/Phillip of St. Lucia 2-0 (21-12, 21-14) and Gaetos/Tulloch of Cayman Islands 2-0 (21-10, 21-7).

In Friday’s knockout round starting at 9:00 am, El Salvador faces Cayman Islands, Trinidad and Tobago go up against Costa Rica, Barbados against Colombia and Nicaragua meets with Surinam. Winners advance into the quarterfinals.

Thursday’s Results Women

POOL A PUR d ISV 2-0 (21-3, 21-4); PUR d COL 2-0 (21-6, 21-12); COL d SUR 2-0 (21-12, 21-9); SUR d ISV 2-0 (21-19, 21-16)

POOL B VEN d ANT 2-0 (21-11, 21-10); CRC d BAR 2-0 (21-12, 21-8); CRC d ANT 2-0 (21-8, 21-10)

POOL C CUB d JAM 2-0 (21-13, 21-17); ESA d TTO 2-0 (21-17, 21-7); CUB d TTO 2-0 (21-17, 21-15); ESA d JAM 2-0 (21-15, 21-12)

POOL D MEX d CAY 2-0 (21-6, 21-4); NCA d LCA 2-0 (21-12, 21-14); NCA d CAY 2-0 (21-10, 21-7); MEX d LCA 2-0 (21-4, 21-4)

Guardado twins of El Salvador top pool A in triple tie

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SANTA MARTA, Colombia, November 24, 2022.- Twin brothers Cristopher and Yoel Guardado of El Salvador topped pool A in a triple tie over Colombia and Costa Rica at the I Central and Caribbean Games of Sea and Beach in Santa Marta.

All three teams, El Salvador, Colombia and Costa Rica completed pool-play with a 2-1 win-loss record, but Cristopher and Yoel held higher point ratio (1.16) to finish first place, followed by Colombians Juan Noriega and Yefferson De La Hoz (1.15), and Crifforth Lobo alongside José Pablo Fernández of Costa Rica (1.08).

The Guardado duo started the day defeating Lobo/Fernández of Costa Rica 2-0 (21-17, 21-13) followed by a 2-0 (21-12, 21-16) over Asmond Franklyn and Enrico Louraine of St. Vincent and the Granadines.

Noriega and De La Hoz also prevailed against Franklyn/Louraine of St. Vincent 2-0 (21-11, 21-17), but Lobo/Fernández of Costa Rica surprised defeating them with smart moves and a great blocking defense 2-0 (21-18, 21-15).

Dominicans Hayerling De Jesús and Oscar Martínez had a busy day, recovering from falling in the first set to its both opponents to top pool B. De Jesús and Martínez first beat Puerto Ricans Franco Roark and Lorenzo Rivera 2-1 (20-22, 21-13, 15-8), and then prevailing 2-1 (14-21, 21-14, 15-10) against Juliangel Vargas and Willian Pérez of Venezuela.

Dominican Republic vs Venezuela

Nicaraguans tandem of Cristopher and Jefferson Cascante finished first in pool C with a 2-0 (21-10, 21-4) victory to Andreas Bump and William Shaw of the U.S. Virgin Islands and 2-0 (21-11, 21-13) against Dimanche Elsevijf and Timothy Van Henneigen of Curacao.

Second in pool C, Joshua Persaud and Nicholas Williams of Trinidad and Tobago beat Bump/Shaw 2-0 (21-10, 21-17).

In pool D, Luis Alayo and Noslen Díaz of Cuba remained strong taking down Clarique Ward/Zendal Richards of St. Kitts and Nevis 2-0 (21-6, 21-4) and Lorenzo Jn Pierre and Rio Jaden Victor of St. Lucia 2-0 (21-6, 21-4).

On the other hand, Alexis Galicia and Isaías Aguirre of Mexico had no difficulties in finishing second in pool D defeating Jn Pierre/Victor of St. Lucia 2-0 (21-13, 21-7); and Ward/Richards of St. Kitts and Nevis 2-0 (21-6, 21-11).

Friday’s single elimination round starts at 10:30 am with Trinidad and Tobago against St. Lucia, followed by Curacao vs. Venezuela, Puerto Rico facing Colombia and Mexico against Costa Rica.

Men’s Results Thursday

POOL A ESA d CRC 2-0 (21-17, 21-13); COL d VIN 2-0 (21-11, 21-17); CRC d COL 2-0 (21-18, 21-15); ESA d VIN 2-0 (21-12, 21-16)

POOL B DOM v PUR 2-1 (20-22, 21-13, 15-8); DOM d VEN 2-1 (14-21, 21-14, 15-10)

POOL C NCA d ISV 2-0 (21-10, 21-4); NCA d CUR 2-0 (21-11, 21-13); TTO d ISV 2-0 (21-10, 21-17)

POOL D CUB d SKN 2-0 (21-6, 21-4); MEX d LCA 2-0 (21-13, 21-7); CUB d LCA 2-0 (21-6, 21-8); MEX d SKN 2-0 (21-6, 21-11)

Solid wins in Men’s Beach Volleyball at Santa Marta

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SANTA MARTA, Colombia, November 23, 2022.- Solid wins marked the first day of competition in the men’s field at the I Central American and Caribbean Sea and Beach Games at the Santa Marta Multisport Park “500 años” in El Rodadero.  

Curacao and Nicaragua opened the men’s actions win victories in pool C. Dimanche Leonard Elsevijf and Timothy Justin Van Henneigen of Curacao beat Andreas Bump and William Shaw of the U.S. Virgin Islands 2-0 (21-9, 21-12), while Nicaraguans Cristopher and Jefferson Cascante worked harder in the second set to overcome Joshua Persaud/Nicholas Williams of Trinidad and Tobago 2-0 (21-8, 24-22).

Juliangel Zaid and Willian Pérez of Venezuela earned their first win in pool B defeating Puerto Ricans Franco Roark and Lorenzo Rivera 2-0 (21-18, 13).

In pool D, Lorenzo Jn Pierre and Rio Jaden Victor of St. Lucia won 2-0 (21-15, 21-15) to Clarique Tefali Ward and Zendal Vishawn Richards of St. Kitts and Nevis. Also, in pool D Cubans Luis Alayo and Noslen Díaz beat Alexis Galicia and Isaías Aguirre of Mexico 2-0 (21-19, 21-15).

Cuba vs Mexico

Colombia’s duo of Juan Noriega and Yefferson De La Hoz prevailed 2-0 (21-13, 21-19) against twins Yoel and Cristopher Guardado of El Salvador in pool A. In the last match of the day, also in pool A, Criforth Fallas Lobo and José Pablo Fernández of Costa Rica won 2-0 (21-15, 21-19) to Asmond Franklyn and Enrico Louraine of St. Vincent and Grenadines.

Pool-play resumes on Thursday. The winners of each pool advance to the quarterfinals while second and third placed teams will play the eight finals.

Wednesday’s Results Men

POOL A COL d ESA 2-0 (21-13, 21-19); CRC d VIN 2-0 (21-15, 21-19)

POOL B VEN d PUR 2-0 (21-18, 13); DOM d HAI 2-0 (21-0, 21-0)

POOL C CUR d ISV 2-0 (21-9, 21-12); NCA d TTO 2-0 (21-8, 24-22)

POOL D LCA d SKN 2-0 (21-15, 21-15); CUB d MEX 2-0 (21-19, 21-15)

Beach Volleyball in Santa Marta set to start on Wednesday

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SANTA MARTA, Colombia, November 22, 2022.- Beach Volleyball of the inaugural Central American and Caribbean Sea and Beach Games Santa Marta 2022 are set to start on Wednesday at the Santa Marta Multisport Park “500 años” in El Rodadero.

The tournament will be played from November 23 to 26 with sixteen teams per gender representing 21 countries, divided into four pools.

Pool composition in the women’s division

POOL A Puerto Rico, Suriname, U.S. Virgin Islands, Colombia;

POOL B Costa Rica, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Venezuela

POOL C Cuba, El Salvador, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica

POOL D Nicaragua, Mexico, Cayman Islands, St. Lucia

Pool composition in the men’s division

POOL A Colombia, El Salvador, Costa Rica, St. Vincent and Grenadines

POOL B Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Haiti

POOL C Nicaragua, Trinidad and Tobago, U.S. Virgin Islands, Curacao

POOL D Mexico, Cuba, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia

On the eve of the competition, teams were officially registered during the preliminary inquiry conducted by three-time Olympic Champion Mireya Luis, NORCECA Executive Vice President and International Technical Supervisor for the event.

Mireya Luis explained that she has no doubt the most attractive sport of the Santa Marta Games will be Beach Volleyball, “our sport always attracts spectators, thanks to its energy and beach volleyball players spectacular performance”.

Mireya Luis during the preliminary inquiry

The preliminary pool-play round will be held on Wednesday and Thursday, with pool winners advancing to the quarterfinals. Second and third placed teams will play the eight finals on Friday, the winners advance to quarterfinals that same day. Quarterfinal winners advance to Saturday’s semifinals and finals.

Wednesday´s schedule of sixteen matches (eight per gender) begins with two women’s simultaneous pool C battles between Cubans Amanda Gisel Armanteros and Jennifer Rivera facing Gabriela Funes and Sofía Velásquez of El Salvador and Alexandria Victoria Ashman with Chevonna Aliya Lewis of Jamaica against Britney Choon/Tsyan Selvon of Trinidad and Tobago.

Results

Women´s Teams

ANT Jossanne Lewis/Nia Serena Benjamin; BAR Dei Padmore/Serena Edwards; CAY Chlouie Gaetos/Deajra Tulloch; COL Ana Fernanda Beltrán/Vanessa Carolina Buenañoz; CRC Kianny Araya/Ximena Nuñez; CUB Amanda Gisel Armanteros/Jennifer Rivera; ESA Gabriela Funes/Sofía Velásquez; JAM Alexandria Victoria Ashman/Chevonna Aliya Lewis; MEX Abril Cristina Flores/Esperanza Katherine Albarrán; NCA Alejandra Rosales/Nahima Silva; PUR Allanis Navas/María González; LCA Chenoa Lucy Evans/Clio Isabelle Phillip; SUR Shaniva Shaya Balkaran/Sharon Shivani Balkaran; TTO Britney Choon/Tsyan Selvon; ISV Khrysti Rosa/Tia Kim Hughes; VEN Luisana Nazareth Linares/ Yhonnielis Ariagna Camacho.

Men´s Teams

COL Juan Noriega/Yefferson De La Hoz; CRC Crifforth Fallas Lobo/José Pablo Fernández; CUB Luis Alayo/Noslen Díaz; CUR Dimanche Leonard Elsevijf/Timothy Justin Van Henneigen; DOM Hayerling Francisco De Jesús/Oscar José Martínez; ESA Cristopher Guardado/Yoel Guardado; HAI Olando Joseph/Rony Fleridor; MEX Alexis Alfredo Galicia/Isaías Oziel Aguirre; NCA Cristopher Cascante/Jefferson Cascante; PUR Franco Ignacio Roark/Lorenzo Antonio Rivera; LCA Lorenzo Richard Jn Pierre/Rio Jaden Victor; SKN Clarique Tefali Ward/Zendal Vishawn Richards; VIN Asmond Franklyn/Enrico Louraine; TTO Joshuea Persaud/Nicholas Williams; ISV Andreas Bump/William Shaw; VEN Juliangel Zaid Vargas/Willian José Pérez.

USA Satterfield and Urrutia win the men’s title in Cayman Islands

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SEVEN MILE BEACH, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, November 13, 2022.- Ian Satterfield and Jake Urrutia of the United States beat Andy Blanco and Luis García of Guatemala 2-0 (21-15, 21-19) for the men’s title of the seventh stage of the NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour in Cayman Islands.

In semifinals Ian Satterfield and Jake Urrutia beat Liam Kopp and Arran Chambers of Canada 2-0 (21-13, 21-17), finishing the event undefeated.

In the other semifinal, Andy Blanco and Luis García of Guatemala won the Central American battle to Criforth Lobo and Daniel Dyner of Costa Rica 2-0 (21-14, 21-13).

Ian Satterfield / Jake Urrutia

Things were different this weekend for Canadians Kopp/Chambers who took the bronze medal over Costa Rican Lobo and Dyner 2-0 (21-13, 21-13); last weekend they lost the bronze in Hato Mayor.

In the match for fifth place, Jorge Barajas and Gabriel Cruz of Mexico defeated Martin Blake and Owayne Lawrence of Jamaica 2-0 (21-10, 21-15).

Earlier, Pepe Vargas and Armando Guatemala of El Salvador defeated Marc Lomeli/Daniel Samuelson of the U.S. Virgin Islands 2-0 (21-11, 21-13) for seventh place.

Rony Fleridor/Olando Joseph of Haiti won the match for nineth place 2-0 (22-20, 23-21) to Casey Santamaría/Jesario Ebanks of Cayman Islands.

USA Van Gunst and Lindstrom win Gold at Cayman Islands

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SEVEN MILE BEACH, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, November 13, 2022.- Teegan Van Gunst and Katie Lindstrom of United States won the Gold Medal over Puerto Ricans Allanis Navas/María González 2-1 (21-19, 13-21, 15-11) at Cayman Islands beach tournament, the seventh stage of the NORCECA Tour.

Teegan Van Gunst and Katie Lindstrom finish the season with three medals, two golds (Managua and Cayman Islands) and a silver medal in Hato Mayor where they lost to Navas/Allanis. The Puerto Rican duo end the season with one gold and two silvers (La Paz and Cayman Islands).

On their way to the gold medal match, Van Gunst and Lindstrom beat Dominicans Bethania Almanzar and Crismil Paniagua 2-0 (21-9, 21-19).

Teegan Van Gunst / Katie Lindstrom

Allanis Navas and María González prevailed 2-0 (21-6, 21-10) in semifinals over Canadians Amanda Harnett and Marie-Alex Bélanger who then went on to win the bronze medal to Almanzar/Paniagua 2-0 (21-12, 21-18).

Harnett/Bélanger won back-to-back bronze medals (Hato Mayor and Cayman Islands), their third bronze of the season (Punta Cana); they finished second in Managua, for an overall four medals in a row.

In other results, Molley McBain/Lea Monkhouse of Canada finished fifth over Yvonne Soler/Sofía Velásquez of El Salvador 2-0 (21-13, 21-17) and Ileann Powery/Jessica Wolfenden of Cayman Islands beat Ximena Núñez/Isabela Rodríguez of Costa Rica 2-0 (22-20, 21-19) for seventh place.

In the match for nineth place, Mexicans Abril Flores/Esperanza Albarran defeated Heather Thompson/Stefania Gondolfi of Cayman Islands 2-0 (21-13, 21-10), while eleventh place went to U.S. Virgin Islands of Amber Bennett/Cristina Almeida-Anz 2-0 (21-17, 21-8) against Allen/Lake of St. Kitts and Nevis.

Costa Rica wins Under 21 beach women’s gold of AFECAVOL

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PANAMA CITY, Panama, November 13, 2022.- Angel Williams and Kianna Araya won 2-0 (21-14, 21-12) to Paola Alvarado/Ana Sofía Arévalo of Guatemala, winning the XIV Under 21 Beach Volleyball Central American title.  

Paola Alvarado couldn’t keep the title she won last year, up against Williams/Araya superior level of play shown during the entire tournament.

In the semifinal Williams/Araya prevailed 2-0 (21-8, 21-14) against Sofía Vega and Aliza Aguilar, also from Costa Rica.

While Paola Alvarado/Ana Sofía Arévalo of Guatemala beat Karla Tovar/Daniela Soza of El Salvador 2-1 (18-21, 24-22, 15-4) in the other semifinal.

In the match for third place, Vega/Aguilar of Costa Rica beat a difficult El Salvador of Tovar/Soza 2-1 (21-11, 19-21, 15-13).

Tournament Page

Kianny Araya – Angel Williams Costa Rica

Sunday’s match

NCA 2 d 2-0 ESA 2 (21-14, 21-10) places 9-10

NCA 1 d 2-1 PAN 2 (21-11, 19-21, 15-11)

PAN 1 d 2-1 GUA 2 (18-21, 21-14, 15-12)

GUA 1 d 2-1 ESA 1  (18-21, 24-22, 15-4)

CRC 1 d 2-0 CRC 2  (21-8, 21-14)

Bronze Medal   CRC 2 d 2-1 ESA 1 (21-11, 19-21, 15-13)

Final CRC 1 d 2-0 GUA 1  (21-14, 21-12)

Costa Rica Under 21 men’s Central American Beach Volleyball Champion

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PANAMÁ CITY, Panama, November 13, 2022.- Julian Araya/Jhostin Varela (CRC 1) were crowned Under 21 Central American Champions after beating twin brother Christopher Guardado/Yoel Guardado of El Salvador 2-0 (23-21, 26-24) in a great final at the XIV Under 21 Beach Volleyball Central American Champion of AFECAVOL.

Araya/Varela left behind in semifinals Luis Cascante/Deyner López (NCA 2) 2-0 (21-12, 21-11), a rematch of last year’s semifinal.

While the Guardado twins beat Nicaragua-1 of Cristopher Cascante/Evans Solís 2-0 (21-16, 21-17) in the other semifinal.

The Guardado brothers, fell last year to Nicaragua, and this year they came close to the crown but Araya’s good defense and Varela’s effective blocking took over El Salvador.

In the all-Nicaraguan match for third place, Luis Cascante/Deyner López beat Cascante/Solís 2-0 (21-16, 21-18).

Tournament Page

Julian Araya/Jhostin Varela Costa Rica

Sunday’s match

Pos 9-10. CRC 2 d 2-1 BIZ (21-18, 14-21, 15-12)

Semifinal

ESA 1 2-0 NCA 1 (21-16, 21-17)

CRC 1 2-0  NCA 2 (21-12, 21-11)

Pos 7-8. GUA 1 2-1 Pan 1 18-21, 21-12, 15-9

Pos 5-6. ESA 2 2-1 GUA 2. 21-13, 19-21, 15-11

Pos 3ro NCA 2 2-0 NCA 1 21-16, 21-18

Final    CRC 1- ESA 1 23-21, 26-24

Final positions:

1.- CRC 1; 2.- ESA 1, 3.- NCA 2, 4.- NCA 1; 5.- ESA 2; 6.- GUA 2; 7.- GUA 1; 8.- PAN 1; 9.- CRC; 10.- BIZ, 11.- PAN 2

Central Americans to face in Cayman Islands semifinals

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SEVEN MILE BEACH, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, November 12, 2022.- Central American duos Andy Blanco/Luis García of Guatemala and Criforth Lobo/Daniel Dyner of Costa Rica will face in the men’s semifinals of the seventh stage of the NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour in Cayman Islands.

In the other semifinal, Liam Kopp and Arran Chambers of Canada meet with Ian Satterfield and Jake Urrutia of the United States.

Andy Blanco and Luis García of Guatemala surprised winning over Mexicans Jorge Barajas and Gabriel Cruz 2-0 (26-24, 21-15) to qualify into the semifinals. Blanco/García will aim for their second final of the season, in Managua they finished second place.

The other Central American duo, Criforth Fallas Lobo and Daniel Dyner of Costa Rica will play their first NORCECA Tour semifinal after defeating Marc Lomeli and Daniel Samuelson of the U.S. Virgin Islands 2-0 (21-11, 21-15).

USA Satterfiled scoring high cross

Liam Kopp and Arran Chambers of Canada, once again advance into the Tour’s semifinals just like they did in Hato Mayor.  Kopp/Chambers dominated their quarterfinals over Salvadorians David “Pepe” Vargas and Armando Guatemala 2-0 (21-17, 21-14) who earlier defeated Sanatamaria/Jesario of Cayman Islands 2-0 (2-15, 21-10)

Ian Satterfield and Jake Urrutia from the U.S. reached the semifinals after beating Matin Blake and Owayne Lawrence of Jamaica 2-0 (21-9, 21-16) who came from a three-set duel win 2-1 (14-21, 21-17, 15-11) against Isaacs/Wilmott of Bahamas.

Earlier, Blanco/García (GUA) beat Rony Fleridor/Olando Joseph of Haiti 2-0 (21-12, 21-8), while Lomeli/Samuelson (ISV) defeated Seabrookes/Nage de San Kitts and Nevis 2-0 (21-15, 21-16).

Sunday begins with classification matches 5/8, followed the semifinals.

Costa Rica ensures a berth in women’s final

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PANAMÁ CITY, Panama, November 12, 2022.- Costa Rica ensures a berth in the women’s finals at the XIV Under 21 Beach Volleyball Central American Championship with its teams facing in semifinals, while Guatemala and El Salvador will play for the other ticket.

Sofía Vega and Aliza Aguilar will face Angel Williams and Kianna Araya, both teams from Costa Rica, while Paola Alvarado/Ana Sofía Arévalo of Guatemala will meet Karla Tovar/Daniela Soza of El Salvador.

Vega/Aguilar won two matches on Saturday to finish second in pool A, which Paola Alvarado/Ana Sofía Arévalo of Guatemala won.

First, they beat Alexandra Reyes/Carmen Alvarez of El Salvador 2-0 (25-15, 21-11) and then they qualified after a 2-0 (21-16, 21-13) win to Nahima Silva/Alejandra Rosales of Nicaragua.

While Alvarado/Arévalo won 2-0 (21-8, 21-10) over Karla Ortiz/Yeilin Hernández of Panama and then prevailed 2-0 (21-7, 21- 12) against Reyes/Alvarez (ESA 2).

In pool B, Williams/Araya (CRC) won 2-0 (21-10, 21-07) to Danna Aguilar/Sofía Rodríguez of Guatemala and then they beat Panama of Krisleen González/Ekaterina Ureña 2-0 (21-14, 21-9).

Second place went to Salvadorians Tovar/ Soza, who lost 1-2 (18-21, 21-17, 12-15)  against Aguilar/Rodríguez (GUA) and finished with a 2-0 (21-11, 21-19) victory over Nicaragua’s Ella Daniele Resau/Yulimar Alvarado.

Guatemala Paola Alvarado/Ana Sofía Arévalo

Saturday’s results

CRC 2 d 2-0 ESA 2 (25-15, 21-11)

GUA 1 d 2-0 PAN 1 (21-8, 21-10)

CRC 1 d 2-0 GUA 2 (21-10, 21-07)

NCA 2 d 2-0 PAN 2 (21-16, 21-19)

NCA 1 d 2-0 PAN 1 (21-17, 21-11)

GUA 2 d ESA 1 (21-18, 17-21, 15-12)

GUA 1 d 2-0 ESA 2 (21-7, 21-12)

CRC 2 d 2-0 NCA 1 (21-16, 21-13)

CRC 1 d 2-0 PAN 2 (21-14, 21-9)

ESA 1 d 2-0 NCA 2 (21-11, 21-19)

Sunday’s schedule

ESA – NCA2 9:00 a.m.

NCA 1- PAN 2 9:45 a.m.

GUA 2 – PAN 1 10:30 a.m.

GUA 1- ESA 1 11:15 – Semifinal

CRC 1- CRC 2 12:00 md Semifinal

Puestos 7-8 12:45 p.m.

Puestos 5-6 1:30 p.m.

Por medalla de bronce  2:15 p.m.

Final 3:00 p.m.

Boletin-3-XIV-Campeonato-Centroamericano-U21-Voleibol-Playa-FemeninoDownload

Hato Mayor women’s semifinals to repeat in Cayman Islands  

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SEVEN MILE BEACH, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, November 12, 2022.- Women’s semifinals of Hato Mayor this past weekend between Puerto Rico and Canada, as well as USA against Dominican Republic will repeat in Cayman Islands, the seventh stage of the NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour.

Allanis Navas and María González of Puerto Rico will face Canadians Amanda Harnett and Marie-Alex Bélanger once again in Sunday’s first semifinal. This past weekend Navas and González came on top and won the title of Hato Mayor.

In the other semifinal, United States will meet Dominican Republic, Teegan Van Gunst/Katie Lindstrom against Bethania Almanzar/Crismil Paniagua; Almanzar played with Esmeralda last weekend.

The gold medal match could be a repeat between Navas/González and Van Gunst/Lindstrom.

Lindstrom USA

Navas/González won pool B to Van Gunst/Lindstrom 2-0 (21-19, 26-24) and then they went on to beat Ivone Soler and Sofía Velásquez of El Salvador by a comfortable 2-0 (21-7, 21-8) in the quarterfinal round.

Van Gunst and Lindstrom resolved well their quarter final match by a 2-0 (21-16, 21-14) win against Molley McBain/Lea Monkhouse of Canada who earlier beat Gutiérrez/Ibarra of Mexico 2-0 (21-10, 21-16) to win pool A.

Canadians Amanda Harnett and Marie-Alex Bélanger beat Ileann Powery/Jessica Wolfenden of Cayman Islands 2-0 (21-14, 21-17) in quarterfinals. Earlier they finished first place of pool C after defeating Alexandria Ashman/Chevonna Lewis of Jamaica 2-0 (21-8, 21-6).

While Dominicans Bethania Almanzar/Crismil Paniagua, pool D winners, dominated their quarterfinal match without difficulties against Ximena Núñez/Isabela Rodríguez of Costa Rica 2-0 (21-8, 21-5).

Sunday’s schedule starts at 9:00 am with placing matches followed by the semifinals.

Nicaragua will meet El Salvador and Costa Rica in men’s semifinals

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PANAMA CITY, Panamá, November 12, 2022.- Teams from Nicaragua will meet El Salvador and Costa Rica in the men’s semifinals of the XIV Under 21 Central American Beach Volleyball Championship on Sunday.

Luis Cascante/Deyner López (NCA 2) beat Rafael Vargas/Gabriel Vargas (ESA 2) 2-0 (21-10, 21-19) in the first quarterfinal match to advance into the semifinals against Julián Araya/Jhostin Varela (CRC 1), who finished first in pool C.

Last year Araya/Varela lost the bronze medal to another Nicaraguan team and now they’ll try to advance into the final.

While, pool A winners, Cristopher Cascante/Evans Solís of NCA 1, prevailed 2-0 (21-12, 21-13) over José Miguel Izaguirre/Mario Ventura (GUA 2) in quarterfinals and in semifinals will face twins Christopher Guardado/Yoel Guardado of El Salvador who won pool B.

Cascante faced Guardado twins in last year’s final match, after they eliminated the number one team of Nicaragua.

Tournament Page

Evans Solis NCA – José Izaguirre GUA

Saturday’s results (pool-play)

NCA 1 d 2-0 ESA 2       (22-20, 21-13)

GUA 1 d 2-0 CRC 2      (21-18, 21-15)

ESA 1 d 2-0 NCA 2       (21-11, 21-15)

BIZ d 2-0 PAN 2           (21-16, 21-16)

CRC 1 d 2-0 GUA 2      (21-19, 21-10)

Quarterfinals

NCA 2 d 2-0 ESA 2       (21-10, 21-19)

NCA 1 d 2-0 GUA 1     (21-12, 21-13)

Clasificación 7-10

PAN 1 d 2-0 CRC 2      (21-16, 21-14)

CRC 2 d 2-0 BIZ           (21-15, 21-17)

Sunday’s schedule

CRC 2- BIZ Posiciones 9-10     9:00 a.m.

ESA 1- NCA 1 – Semifinal       9:45 a.m.

CRC 1 – NCA 2 – Semifinal     10:30 a.m.

PAN 1- GUA 1 Posc 7-8           11:15 a.m.

GUA 2- ESA 2 Posiciones 5-6  12:00 md

Por medalla de bronce           1:00 p.m.

Final                                        2:00 p.m.

Boletin-3-XIV-Campeonato-Centroamericano-U21-Voleibol-Playa-MasculinoDownload

Puerto Rico, USA and Canadians dominate day one in Cayman Islands

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SEVEN MILE BEACH, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, November 11, 2022.- Puerto Rico, United States and both Canadian tandems dominated their opponents in day one of the seventh stage of the NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour in Cayman Islands.  

Puerto Ricans Allanis Navas and Maria Gonzalez and Teegan Van Gunst alongside Katie Lindstrom of the United States, will meet on Saturday to decide pool B winner; they won the gold and silver of Hato Mayor respectively.

Navas/González beat Heather Thompson/Stefania Gondolfi of Cayman Islands without difficulties 2-0 (21-10, 21-5) and Amber Bennett/Cristina Almeida-Anz of the U.S. Virgin Islands 2-0 (21-8, 21-12).

On the other hand, Van Gunst/Lindstrom started off with a 2-0 (21-10, 21-12) win against Thompson/Gondolfi (CAY) and then a 2-0 (21-8, 21-10) over Bennett/Almeida-Anz (ISV).

In pool A, Molley McBain and Lea Monkhouse of Canada, silver medalists in Punta Cana, finished the day with three victories, beating 2-0 (21-16, 21-14) Britney Choon/Tsyan Selvon of Trinidad and Tobago, 2-0 (21-14, 21-7) against Yvonne Soler/Sofía Velásquez of El Salvador and 2-0 (21-13, 21-7) against Allison Settle-Smith/Lisa LeBlanc of Bermuda.

Canada day 1 action

The other Canadian team, Amanda Harnett and Marie-Alex Bélanger, easily beat 2-0 (21-7, 21-4) over Deajra Tulloch/Anjia Delapenha of Cayman Islands in pool C and 2-0 (21-12, 21-6) against Ximena Núñez/Isabela Rodríguez of Costa Rica who came from a 2-0 (21-12, 21-11) victory against Alexandria Ashman/Chevonna of Jamaica.

In pool D, Dominicans Bethania Almanzar/Crismil Paniagua defeated Cayman Islands’ duo of Ileann Powery/Jessica Wolfenden 2-0 (21-17, 21-12) but fell against Mexicans Abril Flores/Esperanza Albarran 0-2 (12-21, 7-21).

In other results, Atenas Gutiérrez and María Celeste Ibarra of Mexico won 2-0 (21-15, 21-11) to Choon/Selvon (TTO) and recovered with a great effort from losing the first set to Soler/Velásquez (ESA) 2-1 (12-21, 21-15, 15-12).

Pool play will resume on Saturday to determine the quarterfinals.

Mexico, United States, Canada and Costa Rica advance in Cayman Islands

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SEVEN MILE BEACH, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, November 11, 2022.- The duos of Mexico, United States, Canada and Costa Rica advanced to the quarterfinal round of the seventh stage of the NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour in Cayman Islands after winning pool-play.

Mexicans Jorge Barajas and Gabriel Cruz in pool A, won 2-0 (21-12, 21-14) over Martin Blake and Owayne Lawrence of Jamaica, who defeated Shawn Seabrookes and Nage Hendrickson of St. Kitts and Nevis 2-0 (21-16, 23-21).

In pool B, Americans Ian Satterfield and Jake Urrutia beat two Central American teams; first Pepe Vargas and Armando Guatemala of El Salvador 2-0 (21-17, 21-15) and then they had a tough first set against Andy Leonardo Blanco alongside Luis García of Guatemala 2-0 (29-27, 21-13).

Liam Kopp and Arran Chambers of Canada won pool C with victories over Jon Isaacs and Donavain Wilmott of Bahamas 2-0 (21-12, 21-14) and Marc Lomeli/Daniel Samuelson of the U.S. Virgin Islands 2-0 (21-8, 21-19).

Arran Chambers Canada

Finishing first place in pool D was for Criforth Fallas Lobo and Daniel Dyner of Costa Rica who beat Ian Bucci and Brandon Sousa of Bermuda 2-0 (21-9, 21-14) and Casey Santamaría with Jesario Ebanks of Cayman Islands 2-0 (21-10, 21-17).

In other results, Blanco/García of Guatemala and Pepe/Guatemala of El Salvador defeated Davies/Hamilton of Bermuda 2-0 (21-15, 21-10) and 2-0 (21-15, 21-14) respectively in pool B.  

In pool C, Lomeli/Samuelson (ISV) beat Barrozo/Wright (CAY) 2-0 (21-10, 21-10) and Bahamas of Isaacs/Wilmott also beat Barrozo/Wright, but in three sets (16-21, 25-23, 13-15).

Lastly, in pool D Casey Santamaría/Jesario Ebanks (CAY) defeated Rony Fleridor/Olando Joseph of Haiti 2-0 (21-14, 21-19) who then went on to win 2-0 (21-15, 22-20) against Bucci/Sousa of Bahamas 2-0.

On Saturday, Blanco/García (GUA) will play Fleridor/Olando (HAI), Lomeli/Samuelson (ISV) go up against Seabrookes/Nage (SKN), Santamaría/Jesario (CAY) face Pepe/Guatemala (ESA) and Blake/Lawrence (JAM) meet Isaacs/Wilmott (BAH) to advance to quarterfinals.

Three countries in strong battle at U21 men

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PANAMA CITY, Panama, November 11, 2022.- El Salvador, Nicaragua and Costa Rica showed strength at the beginning of the XIV Under 21 Central American Beach Volleyball championship being held at Ciudad Deportiva Irving Saladino in Panamá City.

In pool A, Cristopher Cascante/Evans Solís won 2-0 (21-16, 21-17) over Gherson Ortiz/ Kevin Acosta (PAN 1), while Rafael Vargas/Gabriel Vargas (ESA 2) beat Panma in three sets.

Christopher Guardado/Yoel Guardado of El Salvador in pool B, started with two victories, against Daniel Delgado/Roberto Recinos (GUA 1) and Yulius Brown/José Fernández (CRC 2), but Brown/Fernández grabbed an important win 2-1 (25-23, 17-21, 18-16) over Luis Cascante/Deyner López (NCA 2).

In pool C, Julian Araya/Jhostin Varela (CRC 1) beat Panama of Denzel Arboine/Rommy Santos 2-0 and then they won 2-1 (19-21, 21-16, 15-8) to Ernest Broaster/Eugen Benguche of Belize.

First places of each pool will be decided on Saturday, followed by the quarterfinal round, while first place of pool B and C will advance directly to the semifinals to be held on Sunday.

Tournament Page

Friday’s results

ESA 2 def 2-1 PAN 1      (21-16, 19-21, 15-12)

ESA 1 def 2-0 CRC 2      (21-13, 21-13)

NCA 2 def 2-0 GUA 1     (21-19, 21-15)

CRC 1 def 2-0 PAN 2      (21-13, 21-11)

GUA 1 def 2-0 BIZ         (21-16, 28-26)

NCA 1 def 2-0 PAN 1      (21-16, 21-17)

CRC 2 def 2-1 NCA 2      (25-23, 17-21, 18-16)

ESA 1 def 2-0 GUA 1      (21-11, 21-14)

GUA 2 def 2-0 PAN 2      (21-15, 21-16)

CRC 1 def 2-1 BIZ         (19-21, 21-16, 15-8)

Saturday’s schedule (pool-play)

ESA 2- NCA 1 9:00 a.m.

GUA 1- CRC 2 9:45 a.m.

NCA 2 – ESA 1 10:30 a.m.

BIZ – PAN 2 11:15 a.m.

GUA 2- CRC 1 12:00 md

Grupo A: Cristopher Cascante/Evans Solís (NCA 1), Rafael Vargas/Gabriel Vargas (ESA 2), Gherson Ortiz/ Kevin Acosta (PAN 1).

Grupo B: Christopher Guardado/Yoel Guardado (ESA 1), Daniel Delgado/Roberto Recinos (GUA 1); Luis Cascante/Deyner López (NCA 2), Yulius Brown/José Fernández (CRC 2).

Grupo C: Julian Araya/Jhostin Varela (CRC 1), Ernest Broaster/Eugen Benguche (BIZ), José Miguel Izaguirre/Mario Ventura (GUA 2), Denzel Arboine/Rommy Santos (PAN 2).

Boletin-2-XIV-Campeonato-Centroamericano-U21-Voleibol-Playa-MasculinoDownload

Guatemala and Costa Rica lead the women’s tournament

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PANAMA CITY, Panama, November 11, 2022.- Guatemala and Costa Rica dominated their pools in the start of the women’s tournament of the XIV Under 21 Central American Beach Volleyball championship.

In pool A, Guatemala 1 with Paola Alvarado/Ana Sofía Arévalo, won in their two outings. First they beat Nahima Silva and Alejandra Rosales (NCA 1) 2-0 (21-15, 22-20) a Nahima Silva y Alejandra Rosales (NCA 1) and then against Sofía Vega y Aliza Aguilar (CRC 2) 2-0 (21-16, 21-18).

Silva/Rosales won 2-0 over Alexandra Reyes/Carmen Alvarez, of El Salvador, who also beat Panamanians Karla Ortiz/Yeilin Hernández 2-0.

In pool B, Angel Williams and Kianna Araya of Costa Rica, won 2-0 (21-10, 21-9) over El Salvador (Karla Tovar/Daniela Soza), and then they beat Nicaragua (Ella Daniele Resau/Yulimar Alvarado) 2-0 (21-10, 21-12).

The second ticket to semifinals will be a tough battle and will be decided in Saturday’s matches. In pool A,  Silva/Rosales (NCA 1), Ortiz/Hernández (PAN 1) and Vega/Aguilar (CRC 2) with one victory each could advance.

In pool B, Aguilar/Rodríguez (GUA 2) and Resau/Alvarado (NCA 2) will play a decisive match to advance against El Salvador and Panama respectively.

Tournament Page

Friday’s results

NCA 1 def 2-0 ESA 2      (21-4, 21-5)

CRC 2 def 2-1 PAN 1      (15-21, 21-15, 15-11)

ESA 1 def 2-0 PAN 2      (21-15, 24-22)

NCA 2 def 2-0 GUA 2     (21-17, 21-18)

PAN 1 def 2-0 ESA 2      (21-17, 21-19)

GUA 1def 2-0 NCA 1      (21-15, 22-20)

CRC 1 def 2-0 ESA 1      (21-10, 21-9)

GUA 2   def 2-0 PAN 2    (22-20, 21-18)

GUA 1 def 2-0 CRC 2     (21-16, 21-18)

CRC 1 def 2-0 NCA 2      (21-10, 21-12)

Saturday’s schedule

CRC 2 – ESA 2 9:00 a.m.

PAN 1 – GUA 1 9:45 a.m.

GUA 2 – CRC 1 10:30 a.m.

NCA 2- PAN 2 11:15 a.m.

NCA 1 – PAN 1 12:00 md

ESA 1 – GUA 2 12:45 p.m.

ESA 2- GUA 1 1:30 p.m.

CRC 2- NCA 1 2:15 p.m.

PAN 2- CRC 1 3:00 p.m.

NCA 2- ESA 1 3:45 p.m.

Pool A: Guatemala 1 (Paola Alvarado/Ana Sofía Arévalo), Nicaragua 1 (Nahima Silva/ Alejandra Rosales), Panamá 1 (Karla Ortiz/Yeilin Hernández), Costa Rica 2 (Sofía Vega/Aliza Aguilar), El Salvador 2 (Alexandra Reyes/Carmen Alvarez).

Pool B: Costa Rica 1 (Angel Williams/Kianna Araya), El Salvador 1 (Karla Tovar/Daniela Soza), Guatemala 2 (Danna Aguilar/Sofía Rodríguez), Nicaragua 2 (Ella Daniele Resau/Yulimar Alvarado) y Panamá 2 (Krisleen González/Ekaterina Ureña).

Boletin-2-XIV-Campeonato-Centroamericano-U21-Voleibol-Playa-FemeninoDownload

Nicaragua men will face a great challenge at AFECAVOL U-21 Beach

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PANAMA CITY, Panama, November 10, 2022.- XIV Under 21 AFECAVOL Beach Volleyball Central American Championship will have 11 teams of six countries competing in three pools at Ciudad Deportiva Irving Saladino.

In men, Nicaragua has defending champion Cristopher Cascante playing with Evans Solís, and their second team of Luis Cascante/Deyner López.

2021 runner up, twins Christopher Guardado/Yoel Guardado of El Salvador, has another strong pair with Rafael Vargas/Gabriel Vargas.

Costa Rica with two duos: Julian Araya/Jhostin Varela, and Yulius Brown/José Fernández, who will try to improve fourth place in the past edition of the tournament. From Belize, Ernest Broaster/Eugen Benguche.

Guatemala is competing with Daniel Delgado/Roberto Recinos, and José Miguel Izaguirre/Mario Ventura. Panama has Gherson Ortiz/Kevin Acosta and Denzel Arboine/Rommy Santos.

Tournament Page

El Salvador

Pool A: Cristopher Cascante/Evans Solís (NCA 1), Rafael Vargas/Gabriel Vargas (ESA 2), Gherson Ortiz/ Kevin Acosta (PAN 1).

Pool B: Christopher Guardado/Yoel Guardado (ESA 1), Daniel Delgado/Roberto Recinos (GUA 1); Luis Cascante/Deyner López (NCA 2), Yulius Brown/José Fernández (CRC 2).

Pool C: José Miguel Izaguirre/Mario Ventura (GUA 2), Denzel Arboine/Rommy Santos (PAN 2).

First places from pool B and C advance directly into semifinals, while the first place from pool A will face second of pool C, second of pool A will face second of pool B to win their spot in the semifinals.

Friday men’s schedule

PAN 1 vs ESA 2            9:00 a.m.

ESA 1 vs  CRC 2           9:45 a.m.

GUA 1 vs NCA 2          10:30 a.m.

CRC 1 vs PAN 2           11:15 a.m.

BIZ vs GUA 1               12:00 md

NCA 1 vs PAN 1           12:45 pm

CRC 2- NCA 2              13:30 p.m.

ESA 1 – GUA 1             14:15 p.m.

PAN 2 – GUA 2            15:00 p.m.

CRC 1 – BIZ     15:45 p.m.

Boletin-1-XIV-Campeonato-Centroamericano-U21-Voleibol-Playa-MasculinoDownload

Guatemala to defend AFECAVOL U-21 Beach title

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PANAMA CITY, Panama, November 10, 2022.- The women’s field of the XIV Under 21 AFECAVOL Beach Volleyball Central American Championship starts Friday at Ciudad Deportiva Irving Saladino with 10 teams from five countries.

From Guatemala, defending champion Paola Alvarado will compete this time with Ana Sofía Arévalo, who finished fifth in last year’s edition, the team is expected a great level from the experience of both players. Danna Aguilar and Sofía Rodríguez is Guatemala’s second team.

From Costa Rica, features last year’s runner up Angel Williams and bronze medalist Kianna Araya, also Sofía Vega and Aliza Aguilar.

Nahima Silva and Alejandra Rosales is the number one team of Nicaragua, and Ella Daniele Resau and Yulimar Alvarado is the second team.

Karla Ortiz will play with Yeilin Hernández, while Krisleen González alongside Ekaterina Ureña, represent Panama. El Salvador with Karla Tovar/Daniela Soza, and Alexandra Reyes/Carmen Alvarez.

Tournament Page

Panama

Pool A: Alejandra Rosales), Panamá 1 (Karla Ortiz/Yeilin Hernández), Costa Rica 2 (Sofía Vega/Aliza Aguilar), El Salvador 2 (Alexandra Reyes/Carmen Alvarez).

Pool B: Costa Rica 1 (Angel Williams/Kianna Araya), El Salvador 1 (Karla Tovar/Daniela Soza), Guatemala 2 (Danna Aguilar/Sofía Rodríguez), Nicaragua 2 (Ella Daniele Resau/Yulimar Alvarado) y Panamá 2 (Krisleen González/Ekaterina Ureña).

Friday women’s schedule

NCA 1 vs  ESA 2           9:00 a.m.

PAN 1 vs  CRC 2          9:45 a.m.

ESA 1 vs PAN 2            10:30 a.m.

GUA 2 vs NCA 2          11:15 a.m.

ESA 2- PAN 1               12:00 md

GUA 1- NCA 1             12:45 pm

CRC 1- ESA 1               13:30 p.m.

PAN 2 – GUA 2            14:15 p.m.

GUA 1 – CRC 2            15:00 p.m.

CRC 1 – NCA 2             15:45 p.m.

Boletin-1-XIV-Campeonato-Centroamericano-U21-Voleibol-Playa-FemeninoDownload

NORCECA Beach Tour last stage underway in Cayman Islands

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SEVEN MILE BEACH, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, November 10, 2022.- The NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour last stage is underway at Seven Mile Beach in Grand Cayman, from November 11 to 13, with teams representing sixteen countries.

The event features seventeen teams per gender, divided into four pools. The preliminary pool-play round is being held this Friday, quarterfinals on Saturday and semifinals along with the finals on Sunday.

Bermudas, Canada, Cayman Islands, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Jamaica, Mexico, St. Kitts and Nevis, U.S. Virgin Islands and the United States are competing in both genders, while Puerto Rico and Trinidad and Tobago are only in the women’s field, and Haiti with Bahamas and Guatemala compete only in the men’s division.

The women’s trio medalists from the sixth stage held last weekend in Hato Mayor, Puerto Ricans Allanis Navas and María González, Teegan Van Gunst and Katie Lindstrom of the United States and Canadians Amanda Harnett and Marie-Alex Bélanger are here in Cayman Islands, expecting to reach the finals.

Preliminary inquiry

In the men’s division, Mexican Gabriel Cruz, silver medalist in Hato Mayor is teaming up with Jorge Barajas who finished third; Guatemalans Andy Leonardo and Luis Garcia, silver medalists in Managua and Liam Kopp with Arran Chambers of Canada fourth in Hato Mayor are also here in Cayman Islands.

Women’s Teams

BER Allison Settle-Smith/Lisa LeBlanc; CAN Amanda Harnett/Marie-Alex Bélanger; Molley McBain/Lea Monkhouse; CAY Ileann Powery/Jessica Wolfender; Deajra Tulloch/Anjia Delapenha; Heather Thompson/Stefania Gondolfi; CRC Ximena Núñez/Isabela Rodríguez; DOM Bethania Almanzar/Crismil Paniagua; ESA Yvonne Soler/Sofía Velásquez; JAM Alexandria Ashman/Chevonna Lewis; MEX Atenas Gutiérrez/María Celeste Ibarra; Abril Flores/Esperanza Albarran; PUR Allanis Navas/María González; SKN Amanda Allen/Genelle Howell; TTO Britney Choon/Tsyan Selvon; ISV Amber Bennett/Cristina Almeida-Anz; USA Teegan Van Gunst/Katie Lindstrom

Men’s Teams

BAH Jon Isaacs/Donavain Wilmott; BER Ian Bucci/Brandon Sousa; Ryan Davies/Kyle Hamilton; CAN Liam Kopp/Arran Chambers; CAY Casey Santamaría/Jesario Ebanks; Jesper Barrozo/Tarek Wright; CRC Criforth Fallas/Daniel Dyner; ESA David Vargas/Armando Guatemala; HAI Rony Fleridor/Olando Joseph; JAM Martin Blake/Owayne Lawrence; MEXJorge Barajas/Gabriel Cruz; GUA Andy Leonardo/Luis García; SKN Shawn Seabrookes/Nage Hendrickson; ISV Marc Lomeli/Daniel Samuelson; USA Ian Satterfield/Jake Urrutia.

Brazilian beach volleyball coach joins Mexico

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Mexico, November 7, 2022- The triple Olympic and world medalist, Brazilian Ricardo Santos, formally joined the women’s national beach volleyball teams today.

The coach arrived last night in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, where the beach volleyball teams meet, and today he was welcomed by the Mexican Volleyball Federation, by its President, Jesus Perales Navarro.

“It is a great challenge to be here, I appreciate the reception. There is a good group of players who can be at the international level.

“It is a challenge to make sure that these players have the opportunity to represent Mexico in the Olympic Games,” said the coach, who as a player won three Olympic medals and another three in World Championships.

Brazilian coach Ricardo Santos

Santos will be in charge of training tomorrow at CARE Ninos Heroes and on Wednesday he will travel with the group to the Cayman Islands for the last stage of the NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour, which will take place from 11 to 14 this year.

“First I am going to have training sessions and be able to get to know the players a little better, if something has to be changed it will be over time,” added Santos.

On the last date of the NORCECA Tour, which closed yesterday in Hato Mayor, Dominican Republic, Evelyn Ramos and Katherine Albarran finished in fifth place after beating Nicaraguans Natalia Giron and Laura Quinones 21-13 and 21-18.

Atenas Gutiérrez and Celeste Ibarra did not come out of the game for seventh place as the player Gutiérrez was injured. In the Managua stage, Nicaragua, on October 9, Abril Flores and Albarran achieved third place.

Friend and Brewster of USA win third NORCECA title in a row

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HATO MAYOR, Dominican Republic, November 6, 2022.- Kyle Friend and Timothy Brewster of the United States won their third NORCECA Beach Volleyball title in a row after beating Mexicans Gabriel Cruz and Isaías Aguirre 2-0 (21-18, 23-21) during the sixth stage in Hato Mayor.

Kyle Friend and Timothy Brewster won the titles of Punta Cana and Managua and with Hato Mayor, they complete a hat-trick in the NORCECA Tour as a team. Timothy Brewster also won the silver medal of Varadero this year with Travis Mewhirter.

In semifinals, Friend/Brewster and Canadians Liam Kopp/Arran Chambers offered a huge spectacle extending the second set to 41-39, where Friend and Brewster won their ticket to the finals 2-0 (21-16, 41-39).

Mexicans Cruz/Aguirre won the other semifinal beating compatriots Barajas/Galindo in two sets 21-16 even.

Kyle Friend / Timothy Brewster USA

Jorge Barajas alongside Ricardo Galindo of Mexico won their first medal at the NORCECA Tour, finishing in third place over Canadians Liam Kopp and Arran Chambers 2-0 (21-15, 21-18).

In the match for fifth place, Rubén Mora and Dany López of Nicaragua beat Jake Urrutia and John Michael Plummer of the United States 2-0 (21-18, 21-17).

Mora and López came from a tough victory 2-1 (18-21, 21-19, 15-12) against the other Central American team, Edgar Maldonado and Luis García of Guatemala; while Urrutia/Plummer prevailed 2-0 (21-17, 21-17) against Oscar Martínez win Hayerling De Jesús of Dominican Republic.

In other results, Martínez/De Jesús (DOM) won seventh place over Guatemalans Maldonado/García 2-0 (21-19, 21-14). And nineth place went to Dominicans Jorge/Rosario, with a 2-0 (22-20, 21-14) win against González/Quintero of Panama.

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Puerto Ricans Navas and González Champions at Hato Mayor

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HATO MAYOR, Dominican Republic, November 6, 2022.- Puerto Ricans Allanis Navas and María González won the Hato Mayor Beach Volleyball tournament, the sixth stage of the NORCECA Tour, after beating Teegan Van Gunst and Katie Lindstrom of USA coming from behind 2-1 (13-21, 21-15, 15-9).

This is the first gold medal for Allanis Navas and María González in the NORCECA Beach Tour, second of this season, they won the silver medal in La Paz, Baja California, Mexico. While this is the second NORCECA Tour medal for Teegan Van Gunst and Katie Lindstrom; the first was the gold medal in the previous stage in Managua.

Navas/González reached the gold medal match with a spectacular 2-0 (35-33, 22-20) win over Canadians Amanda Harnett/Marie-Alex Bélanger.

In the other semifinal, Van Gunst/Lindstrom beat Bethania Almanzar/Esmeralda Ramírez of Dominican Republic with great rhythm 2-0 (21-13, 21-15).

María González / Allanis Navas Puerto Rico

Harnett and Bélanger won their third medal in the NORCECA Tour, taking the bronze over Dominicans Bethania Almanzar and Esmeralda Ramírez by a 2-1 (21-15, 16-21, 15-12) score.  Harnett and Bélanger won the bronze medal in Punta Cana and the silver medal in Managua.

Mexican duo of Evelyn Ramos and Esperanza Albarran finished fifth place after beating Guatemalans Natalia Girón and Laura Quiñonez 2-0 (21-13, 21-18); while their compatriots Atenas Gutiérrez and María Celeste Ibarra were injured and couldn’t face Canadians Devin Corah and Adriel Goodman who finished seventh.

Earlier, Ramos/Albarrán (MEX) had beaten Corah/Goodman (CAN) 2-0 (21-18, 21-13) and Girón/Quiñonez (GUA) defeated Gutiérrez/Ibarra (MEX) 2-0 (21-19, 22-20).

In the match for nineth place, Nicaraguans López/Lolette defeated Buckner/Almeida-Anz of the U.S. Virgin Islands 2-0 (21-16, 21-11) and for eleventh place, Nuñez/Quesada of Costa Rica won 2-0 (21-18, 21-15) against Thompson/Wolfenden of Cayman Islands.

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Mexican teams advance to Men’s Semis at Hato Mayor

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HATO MAYOR, Dominican Republic, November 5, 2022.- Both Mexican teams, Jorge Barajas/Ricardo Galindo, and Gabriel Cruz/Isaías Aguirre advanced to semifinals of the Hato Mayor Beach Volleyball tournament, the sixth stage of the NORCECA Tour.

The Mexican duos will face each other in Sunday’s first semifinal, while Kyle Friend and Timothy Brewster of the United States, who are seeking their third title in a row, will meet Canadian Liam Kopp and Arran Chambers.

To earn their semifinal berth, Barajas and Galindo needed to extend to three sets to beat Jake Urrutia and John Michael Plummer of USA 2-1 (21-16, 22-24, 15-8), the same as Cruz and Aguirre, who recovered from falling in the first set against Nicaraguans Rubén Mora and Dany López 2-1 (16-21, 21-16, 15-9).

Friend and Brewster had no difficulties in beating Edgar Maldonado alongside Luis García of Guatemala 2-0 (21-9, 21-11) and have a shot to reach the medal round. Earlier, the Guatemalan duo defeated Jesario/Santamaria of Cayman Islands 2-0 (21-19, 21-10).

While Liam Kopp and Arran Chambers defeated two Dominican teams on their way to semifinals; first they beat Jorge Matos and Jorge Rosario 2-0 (21-13, 21-12) and then prevailed 2-0 (21-17, 22-20) against Oscar Martínez and Hayerling De Jesús.

Sunday’s schedule includes placing matches, the semifinals and finals, starting at 8:30 am (local time).

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Semifinalists remain undefeated at Hato Mayor

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HATO MAYOR, Dominican Republic, November 5, 2022.- The four pairs advancing into the women’s semifinals remain undefeated after winning their quarterfinal matches during the second day of competition at the Hato Mayor tournament, the sixth stage of the NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour.

In Sunday’s semifinals Van Gunst/Lindstrom of United States goes up against Dominicans Almanzar/Ramirez and Navas/González of Puerto Rico will face Harnett/Bélanger of Canada.

Teegan Van Gunst and Katie Lindstrom of the United States, alongside Canadians Amanda Harnett and Marie-Alex Bélanger are battling to reach the medal matches as they did in the past stage in Managua, where Van Gunst/Lindstrom beat Harnett/Bélanger for the gold medal.

Both teams left behind Mexican duos, Van Gunst/Lindstrom with a solid 2-0 (21-14, 21-7) victory over Katherine Albarrán and Evelyn Ramos, and Harnett/Bélanger beat Atenas Gutiérrez and María Celeste Ibarra 2-0 (21-16, 21-14).

Albarrán/Ramos had beaten earlier Thompson/Wolfenden of Cayman Islands 2-0 (21-13, 21-11), while Gutiérrez/Ibarra battled strong to recover from falling in the first set against Nuñez/Quesada of Costa Rica 2-1 (14-21, 21-13, 15-11).

The local tandem of Bethania Almánzar and Esmeralda Ramírez obtained an important victory over Devin Corah and Adriel Goodman of Canada 2-0 (21-17, 21-15), to advance into their first NORCECA Tour semifinal.

While Allanis Navas and María González had no complications to dominate Natalia Girón and Laura Quiñónez of Guatemala 2-0 (21-13, 21-8) seeking to win their second medal of the season; Navas and González finished second in La Paz, Baja California.

On their way to quarterfinals, Corah/Goodman (CAN) battled hard to defeat López/Lolette of Nicaragua 2-0 (21-19, 25-23) and Girón/Quiñónez (GUA) won to Buckner/Almeida-Anz of the U.S. Virgin Islands 2-0 (21-17, 21-14).

The semifinals and finals will be held on Sunday, as well as position matches.

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Kyle Friend and Timothy Brewster with strong start at Hato Mayor

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HATO MAYOR, Dominican Republic, November 4, 2022.- The American tandem of Kyle Friend and Timothy Brewster had a strong start at the beach volleyball tournament of Hato Mayor, aiming for their third consecutive gold at the 2022 NORCECA Tour.

Friend and Brewster had no difficulties defeating their two opponents in pool B; first against José Miguel Tapia and Jason Omar Quintero 2-0 (21-13,21-12) and then against Liam Kopp/Arran Chambers of Canada 2-0 (21-17, 21-9).

In pool A, Dominicans Oscar Martínez and Hayerling De Jesús beat Morales Monsalve/Tubben of Bonaire 2-0 (22-20, 21-9) and Jesario Ebanks and Case Santamaria of Cayman Islands 2-0 (21-7, 21-12).

Both Mexican duos, Gabriel Cruz/Isaías Aguirre in pool C and Jorge Barajas/Ricardo Galindo in pool D, also advanced to the next round.

Cruz/Aguirre defeated Brice/Bosqui of Martinica 2-0 (21-13, 21-14) and then battled strong in the second set to beat Urrutia/Plummer of United States 2-0 (21-18, 27-25).

Barajas/Galindo managed a 2-0 (21-10, 21-14) win over Mark Blake/Owayne Lawrence of Jamaica and recovered from falling in the first set to Nicaraguans Ruben Mora and Dany López 2-1 (21-18, 12-21, 16-14).

The second day of competition at Hato Mayor NORCECA Tour starts at 8:00 am on Saturday.

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Dominicans Ramírez and Almánzar advance to next round in Hato Mayor

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HATO MAYOR, Dominican Republic, November 4, 2022.- Dominicans Bethania Almánzar and Esmeralda Ramírez advanced to the second round of the sixth stage of the NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour in Hato Mayor.

Almanzar and Ramírez dominated their two outings during the first day of the event that gathers fifteen teams in the women’s field.

In their first performance they beat Heather Thompson and Jessica Wolfenden of Cayman Islands 2-0 (21-13, 21-14) and then Natalia Girón alongside Laura Quiñonez of Guatemala 2-0 (21-13, 21-15), advancing to quarterfinals as pool D winners.

Meanwhile, the duo of Teegan Van Gunst and Katie Lindstrom of the United States, winners of the fifth stage in Managua, dominated pool A with victories over Socorro López and Lolette Rodríguez of Nicaragua by 2-0 (21-13, 21-12) and against Mexicans Atenas Gutiérrez and María Celeste Ibarra 2-0 (21-12, 21-16). 

The winners of pool B were Canadians Amanda Harnett and Marie-Alex Bélanger, who are aiming to win their first gold after finishing third place in Punta Cana and second in Managua, defeated Brenda Allen y Shanicia Dyer of St. Kitts & Nevis 2-0 (21-13, 21-12) and Katherine Albarrán and Evelyn Ramos of Mexico 2-0 (21-10, 21-8).

In pool B, Puerto Ricans Allanis Navas alongside María Gonzalez prevailed against Dominicans Paniagua/Cleto 2-0 (21-11, 21-16) and over Devin Corah and Adriel Goodman of Canada 2-0 (21-17, 21-15).

Day two of the NORCECA Tour in Hato Mayor continues Saturday starting at 8:00 am.

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Hato Mayor to host the sixth stage of NORCECA Beach Tour

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HATO MAYOR, Dominican Republic, November 3, 2022.- Rancho Ecoturístico Doña Callita will host another major event of the Continental NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour the sixth stage “Hato Mayor 2022” to start on Friday, an event that grants ranking points for the Olympic Games of Paris 2024.

The opening ceremony will be chaired by Barceló Salas, president of the Organizing Committee and Cristóbal Marte, NORCECA president.

Thirty-two teams from the North, Central American and Caribbean volleyball Confederation will battle until Sunday for the best positions as part of the qualification process for the Olympic Games of Paris, France 2024, trophies, medals, and cash prizes.

The opening ceremony will be held at 3:00 pm, with members of the Organizing Committee, presided by businessman Juan Barceló Salas, alongside Hato Mayor authorities led by Governor Julia Mery Vásquez, City Mayor Amado de la Cruz and senator Saury Mota, among others.

The competition kicks off at the two beach courts of Rancho Ecoturístico Doña Callita on Friday at 9:00 am.

Welcoming of Panama

Hato Mayor is the sixth leg of nine to be held this year. The five previous events were at Aguascalientes, Mexico; Varadero, Cuba, La Paz, Baja California (Mexico), Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic and Managua, Nicaragua.

Puerto Rico, Saint Kitts, Guatemala, Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, Cayman Islands, Nicaragua, Canada, United States, Mexico and Costa Rica will compete in the women’s field; teams from Guatemala, Jamaica, Martinica, Saint Kitts, Islas Caimán, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico, Panamá, Mexico, Canada, United States and Dominican Republic.

Each stage of the tour offers points from 1 to 16 for beach volleyball ranking and is updated every year on January 1st.

The tour is sponsored by the General Customs Department, Baco de Reservas and the NORCECA Volleyball Confederation, Ciclón, ARS Futuro and Induban of Café Santo Domingo among others.

Other members of the Organizing Committee are businessman Gustavo Santana, executive director Rubén Darío Cruz; Nelson Ramírez, general and technical director of the tournament; Miguel Ángel Peguero, Benery Richardson, Amadito de la Cruz, Indhira Ramírez, Nancy Brea, Orlando Santana, Juan Balbuena, Pedro Reyes, Waddy Reynoso, Glenys Robles, Alexis Vega and Juan Uribe. 

Hurst/Basey of USA Champions at NORCECA U23 Beach Tour

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SEVEN MILE BEACH, Grand Cayman, October 30, 2022.cwere crowned Champions of the first edition of the NORCECA U23 Beach Volleyball Tour defeating Trent Ketrzynski/Rouzbeh Rahnavard of Canada by exciting 2-1 (23-21, 17-21, 15-11) in Cayman Islands.

On their way into the gold medal match, Hurst and Basey defeated the other U.S. pair of Dylan McClung and Caleb Blanchette 2-0 (21-11, 21-11) in semifinals and earlier easily won their quarterfinal match to Declan Van Dam/Jabari Powery of Cayman Islands 2-0 (21-4, 21-5).

On the other hand, Canadians Ketrzynski/Rahnavard battled hard to overcome Eddy Toro and Joshua Winklaar of Aruba in semifinals 2-0 (24-22, 22-21).

Thomas Hurst and Gage Basey (USA) NORCECA U23 Beach Volleyall Champions

McClung and Blanchette (USA) did not go home empty handed, they won the bronze medal 2-0 (21-16, 21-18) over Toro/Winklaar (ARU).

In quarterfinals, the Canadian duo had beaten 2-0 (21-10, 21-15) Joshua Persaud and Nicholas Williams of Trinidad and Tobago, while Toro/Winklaar managed a comfortable 2-0 (21-11, 21-9) victory to Andrew Blake and Andrae Robb of Jamaica.

Joshua Persaud and Nicholas Williams of Trinidad and Tobago finished fifth place beating Blake/Robb of Jamaica 2-0 (25-23, 21-16).

Ella Connor and Piper Ferch of USA win first NORCECA U23 Beach title

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SEVEN MILE BEACH, Grand Cayman, October 30, 2022.- Ella Connor and Piper Ferch of the United States recovered from losing the first set to Canadians Ruby Sorra and Kaylee Glagau 2-1 (18-21, 21-11, 22-20) to win the first ever NORCECA U23 Beach Volleyball Tour in Cayman Islands.

Connor and Ferch had earned a bye to move into the tournament semifinals where they downed compatriots Alexis Durish and Hailey Hamlett 2-0 (21-17, 21-13).

While Ruby Sorra and Kaylee Glagau reached the gold medal match winning their semifinal to Britney Choon and Tsyan Selvon of Trinidad and Tobago 2-0 (21-9, 21-11).

Ella Connor and Piper Ferch (USA) NORCECA U23 Beach Volleyball Champions

Alexis Durish and Hailey Hamlett went on to win the bronze medal match 2-0 (21-12, 21-14) over Choon/Selvon (TTO).

Earlier in quarterfinals, Durish/Hamlett (USA) overpowered the local team of Brianna Delapenha/Joanna Robinson 2-0 (21-2, 21-4) and Choon/Tyson (TTO) beat Deajra Tulloch/Chlouie Gaetos of Cayman Islands 2-0 (21-13, 21-13).

In the match for fifth place, Deajra Tulloch and Chlouie Gaetos earned the victory to Anjia Delapenha and Lucie Finlason 2-0 (21-12, 21-14); both teams from the host Cayman Islands.

USA women duos advance in Cayman Islands

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SEVEN MILE BEACH, Grand Cayman, October 29, 2022.- Alexis Durish/Hailey Hamlett and Ella Connor/Piper Ferch of United States dominated their pools to advance in the women’s field of the first stage of the NORCECA U23 Beach Volleyball Tour.

Alexis Durish and Hailey Hamlett won pool A easily defeating Deajra Tulloch and Chlouie Gaetos of Cayman Islands 2-0 (21-7, 21-8) but then battled strong to beat the Canadian duo of Ruby Sorra and Kaylee Glagau 2-1 (21-17, 20-22, 15-9).

In pool B, Ella Connor and Piper Ferch got three wins starting with a 2-0 (21-5, 21-12) victory over Anjia Delapenha/Lucie Finlason and a 2-0 (21-8, 21-11) against Brianna Delapenha/Joanna Robinson, both teams of Cayman Islands; followed by a 2-0 (21-12, 21-11) win to Britney Choon and Tsyan Selvon of Trinidad and Tobago.

Ella Connor and Piper Ferch earned a bye into semifinals, while Alexis Durish and Hailey Hamlett will face the local team of Brianna Delapenha/Joanna Robinson in quarterfinals.

Canadians Ruby Sorra and Kaylee Glagau beat Deajra Tulloch/Chlouie Gaetos (CAY) 2-0 (21-9, 21-11) in pool A, while Britney Choon/Tsyan Selvon of Trinidad and Tobago, who lost to Connor/Ferch (USA) in pool B, beat Delapenha/Robinson (CAY) 2-0 (21-18, 21-8) and recovered from falling in the first set to Delapenha/Finlason 2-1 (13-21, 21-13, 15-10). All advancing to quarters.

Sunday’s program starts with quarterfinals between Durish/Hamlett (USA) vs B. Delapenha/J. Robinson (CAY); followed by Choon Selvon (TTO) vs D. Tulloch/C. Gaetos (CAY) and Sorra/Glagau (CAN) vs A. Delapenha/L. Finalson (CAY).

USA Men take over pool-play in Cayman Islands

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SEVEN MILE BEACH, Grand Cayman, October 29, 2022.- Thomas Hurst/Gage Basey and Dylan McClung/Caleb Blanchette of United States took over pool-play at the first stage of the NORCECA U23 Beach Volleyball Tour in Cayman Islands.

Thomas Hurst and Gage Basey topped pool A winning over Trent Ketrzynski and Rouzbeh Rahnavard of Canada 2-0 (21-15, 21-17) and to Eddy Toro Maldonado alongside Joshua Johanne Winklaar of Aruba 2-0 (21-14, 21-10).

Dylan McClung and Caleb Blanchette won pool B beating Jamaica’s team of Andrew Blake and Andrae Robb 2-0 (21-8, 21-19), then defeating Joshua Persaud Joshua/Nicholas Williams of Trinidad and Tobago 2-0 (21-13, 21-13) and ended the day overpowering Declan Van Dam/Jabari Powery of Cayman Islands 2-0 (21-7, 21-6).

McClung/Blanchette move directly into semifinals and Hurst/Basey will battle in quarterfinals against D. Van Dam/J. Powery (CAY) for their semifinal spot.

In other results, Blake/Robb of Jamaica registered a 2-0 (21-6, 21-13) win to D. Van Dam/J. Powery (CAY) and earned an exciting victory over Persaud/Williams of Trinidad and Tobago 2-0 (22-20, 21-16) who earlier dominated D. Van Dam/J. Powery (CAY) 2-0 (21-10, 21-7).

Ketrzynski/Rahnavard of Canada beat Toro/Winklaar of Aruba 2-0 (21-18, 21-13) in pool A.

Sunday’s schedule starts with the quarterfinal match between Hurst/Basey (USA) vs. D. Van Dam/J. Powery (CAY), followed by Blake/Robb (JAM) against Toro/Winklaar of Aruba, and Ketrzynski/Rahnavard (CAN) facing Persaud/Williams (TTO).

NORCECA U23 Beach inaugurated by Minister of Sports of Cayman Islands

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GRAND CAYMAN, Cayman Islands, Saturday, 29 October 2022.- The Cayman Islands leg of the NORCECA Under 23 Beach Volleyball Tour was officially opened today by Honorable Bernie Bush, Minister for Youth, Sports, Culture & Heritage, of the Cayman Islands Government and Mushtaque Mohammed, Vice President of the NORCECA Volleyball Confederation.

The Under 23 Tournament is being hosted by the Cayman Islands for the first time with 14 teams competing (7 male, 7 female) from Cayman, Aruba, Canada, Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago and the USA.

Before doing a ceremonial serve, Minister Bush made brief remarks. 

“The Ministry of Sports is committed to developing our young athletes and seeing them succeed at the national and international level.  We are proud to support the Cayman Islands Volleyball Federation as they offer programs and organize tournaments such as this one which give our young volleyballers international exposure and valuable experience,” said Minister Bush.

NORCECA VP and CAZOVA President brought greetings on behalf of the NORCECA President Cristóbal Marte Hoffiz and extended best wishes for the success of the event.  He complimented CIVF for being the host of the first Continental underage tournament and indicated that the venue is of a world class and has the potential to host an FIVB tournament.

The minister proceeded to make the first serve at the men’s game CAY vs USA to officially open the tournament.

First NORCECA U23 Beach Tour to get underway Cayman Islands

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SEVEN MILE BEACH, Cayman Islands, October 28, 2022.- The first edition of the NORCECA Under-23 Beach Volleyball Tour will get underway at Seven Mile Beach in Grand Cayman on October 29 and 30.

The two-day competition features team representing seven countries from the North, Central American and Caribbean region who arrived in Grand Cayman for the preliminary inquiries and general technical meeting that took place on Thursday.

Mushtaque Mohammed, NORCECA Supervisor for the event addressed the players during the general technical meeting with a message about the importance of developing this category in our Confederation, in accordance with the NORCECA and FIVB focus on beach volleyball for the next two Olympic cycles “these youth athletes are the future of beach volleyball in our region and we are five years ahead of their preparation not only for the Olympic Games but for other major events such as the Central American and Caribbean Games, Pan American Games, Caribbean Beach Games, Commonwealth Games as well as the Youth Olympic Games”.

Mohammed also added that as President of the Caribbean Zonal Volleyball Association (CAZOVA), “I am very proud that Cayman Islands, part of the CAZOVA Association is the first host of Underage beach volleyball NORCECA Tour”.

Cayman Islands’ U23 Beach Volleyball teams

Canada, Trinidad and Tobago, United States and hosts Cayman Islands registered teams in both genders, while Aruba and Jamaica will only compete in the men´s field.

Teams have been divided into two pools, with pool-play taking place on Saturday and the finals on Sunday.

Women’s Teams

CANADA Ruby Sorra/Kaylee Glagau; CAYMAN ISLANDS Anjia Delapenha/Lucie Finlason; Brianna Delapenha/Joanna Robinson; Deajra Tulloch/Chlouie Gaetos; TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO Britney Choon/Tsyan Selvon; UNITED STATES Alexis Durish/Hailey Hamlett; Ella Connor/Piper Ferch.

Men’s Teams

ARUBA Eddy Toro Maldonado/Joshua Johanne Winklaar; Trent Ketrzynski/Rouzbeh Rahnavard; CAYMAN ISLANDS Declan Van Dam/Jabari Powery; JAMAICA Andrew Blake/Andrae Robb; TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO Joshua Persaud Joshua/Nicholas Williams; UNITED STATES Thomas Jurst/Gage Basey; Dylan McClung/Caleb Blanchette.

Beach Volleyball Santa Marta 2022 Ready for the Historic Games

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SANTA MARTA. – 16 female pairs and the same number in males will compete in the I Central American and Caribbean Sea and Beach Games, Santa Marta 2022, scheduled for November 19 to 26.

This sport will take place on the fields of the 500-year-old Santa Marta Multisport Park, located in El Rodadero, and will have 21 countries competing, of which 11 have registered in both genders.

Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, El Salvador, US Virgin Islands, Mexico, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico, Saint Lucia, Trinidad & Tobago and Venezuela, are the delegations that will seek the top in men’s and women’s categories.

Tournament Page

Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, Cayman Islands, Jamaica and Suriname will compete only for women’s tournament. Meanwhile, Curaçao, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Saint Vincent & the Grenadines and Saint Kitts & Nevis, will be in the men’s category.

Beach volleyball will be played from November 23 to 26 according to the competition schedule of the games.

Second gold for Brewster/Friend at NORCECA

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PASEO XOLOTLAN, Managua, Nicaragua, October 9, 2022.- Timothy Brewster and Kyle Friend of United States finished first place at the V Stop of the NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour after defeating Andy Leonardo/Luis Garcia of Guatemala 2-0 (21-11, 21-10).

This is Brwester/Friend second gold medal in a row, they beat Cubans Noslen Diaz and Jorge Luis Alayo at the fourt stop in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.

On their way to gold, Brewster/Friend beat compatriots Paul Lotman/Raffe Paulis 2-0 (21-18, 21-14) in semifinals, held on Saturday due to bad weather forecast due to Hurricane Julia arriving in Nicaragua.

Kyle Friend – Timothy Brewster Gold Medal

Leonardo/García repeat the silver medal won in the 2019 NORCECA Tour here in Managua, when they lost to a Cuba. Guatemalans improve from the past stop in Punta Cana, where they finished sixth.

Nicaraguan Denis Lopez and Ruben Mora, reach the NORCECA podium once again, winning the bronze medal to Loman/Paulis of United States 2-0 (21-15, 21-16).

Matches for positions 5 to 12 were suspended due to bad weather.

Lindstrom/Van Gunst take the gold in Managua

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PASEO XOLOTLAN, Managua, Nicaragua, October 9, 2022.- Americans Katie Lindstrom/Teegan Van Gunst took the gold medal of the V Stop of the NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour beating Canadian duo Amanda Harnett and Marie-Alex Bélanger 2-1 (22-20, 20-22, 15-12).

Under difficult weather, with rain and bursts of wind due to Hurricane Julio, the women’s title match was challenging, with extraordinary defense.

Lindstrom/Van Gunst pushed ahead with serves and held an advantage in the third set, allowing them to close the game.

USA Gold, Canada Silve, Mexico Bronze

This is Harnett/Bélanger second medal after winning the bronze at the fourth stop in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.

In the match for third place, Mexicans Abril Flores/Esperanza Albarrán, came on top with double 21-16 over Canadians Devin Corah/Adriel Goodman.

Mexico finished fourth in the past stage with Atenas Gutierrez and Maria Celeste Ibarra, and now with Flores/Albarran they reached the podium.

Harnett/Bélanger and Lindstrom/Van Gunst going for Women’s Gold

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PASEO XOLOTLAN, Managua, Nicaragua, October 8, 2022.- Canadians Amanda Harnett and Marie-Alex Bélanger will compete for the women’s gold medal against USA Katie Lindstrom and Teegan Van Gunst at the Managua Beach Volleyball tournament, the 5th stage of the NORCECA Tour.

The semifinals were pushed up to Saturday night due to hurricane warnings for the City of Managua. Heavy showers are expected so the medal matches will be held on Sunday morning and depending on the weather conditions, placing matches will be continue during the day.  

Medal matches are scheduled simultaneously at 9:00 am; the gold medal between Harnett/Bélanger of Canada and Lindstrom/Van Gunst of United States and the bronze with Devin Corah and Adiel Goodman of Canada facing Mexican Abril Flores and Esperanza Albarran.

Amanda Harnett and Marie-Alex Bélanger beat fellow compatriots Devin Corah and Adiel Goodman 2-0 (21-16, 21-18) in the first semifinal under a light rain.

In the other semifinal, Katie Lindstrom and Teegan Van Gunst managed a 2-0 (21-16, 21-18) victory over a Mexico’s Abril Flores and Esperanza Albarran.

Katie Lindstrom and Teegan Van Gunst of United States

On their way to reach the semifinals, Harnett/Bélanger dominated Angel Williams and Kianny Araya Quesada of Costa Rica 2-0 (21-11, 21-13) in quarterfinals; while Lindstrom/Van Gunst subdued Nicaraguan duo Socorro Lopez and Lolette Rodriguez 2-0 (21-8, 21-14).

Also, to move into semifinals, Flores/Albarran of Mexico beat Petal Smith with Chauna Kelly of Jamaica 2-0 (21-8, 21-17) and Canadian pair Corah/Goodman defeated Natalia Giron and Laura Quiñonez of Guatemala.

Earlier in other results, in the round of 12 to advance to quarterfinals, Smith/Kelly of Jamaica beat locals Nahima Silva and Kadderly Rosales 2-0 (21-16, 21-18).

In a Central American clash, Williams/Quesada of Costa Rica came out on top 2-0 (21-13, 21-14) Yvonne Soler alongside Sofia Velasquez.

USA against Guatemala in men’s final

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PASEO XOLOTLAN, Managua, Nicaragua, October 8, 2022.- Timothy Brewster and Kyle Friend, of United States advance to the final of the V Stop of the NORCECA.

Beach Volleyball Tour, to face Andy Leonardo /Luis García of Guatemala.

Brewster/Friend left on the road their compatriots Paul Lotman/Raffe Paulis 2-0 (21-18, 21-14) in semifinals, under a constant breeze at the Paseo Xolotlán Beach Volleyball stadium in Managua.

In the other semifinal, Leonardo/ García overpowered 2-0 (21-19, 21-14) Nicaragua of Denis Lopez and Ruben Mora.

In quarterfinals Brewster/Friend beat Daniel Dyner/Sebastián Valenciano of Costa Rica,2-0 (21-6, 21-14), while Leonardo/García won 2-0 (22-20, 21-17) against the other Nicaraguan team Jefferson Cascante/Danny López.

There are high expectations of a challenging final, because previously Andy Leonardo/Luis García, prevailed over Americans Paul Lotman/Raffe Paulis.

The weather conditions due to Hurricane Julia that affected Nicaragua on Saturday night, forced to push ahead the semifinals, while the medal matches will be held on Sunday morning at 9:45.

Andy Leonardo and Luis Garcia of Guatemala advance to gold medal match

Men’s Results Saturday

Semifinal

Friend/Brewster USA 2-0 (21-18, 21-16) Lotman/Paulis USA

Mora/Lopez NCA 0-2 (19-21, 14-21) Blanco/Garcia L. GUA

Quarterfinals

MacNeil/Russell CAN 1-2 (13-21, 21-16, 11-15) Lotman/Paulis USA

Blanco/Garcia L. GUA 2-0 (22-20, 21-17)            Cascante/Lopez NCA

Friend/Brewster USA     2-0 (21-6, 21-14) D. Dyner/Valenciano CRC

Mora/Lopez NCA 2-0 (21-11, 22-20) Kopp/Chambers CAN

Clasif. 9/12

Lomeli/Samuelson ISV 0-2 (20-22, 14-21) C. Lobo/Villafuerte CRC

Delgado/Recinos GUA 1-2 (21-18, 14-21, 8-15) Clercent/Sheldon LCA

Sunday’s schedule  

Final  

Leonardo/García GUA – Brewster/Friend USA

Bronze

Lotman/Paulis USA- Mora/ López  

Clasif. 5/8

Cascante/Lopez NCA vs MacNeil/Russell

Kopp/Chambers CAN vs D. Dyner/Valenciano

Dominican Republic falls to Canada

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Lodz, Poland, October 8, 2022.- In a spectacular match, the Canadian team beat The Queens of the Caribbean in the framework of the Women’s Volleyball World Championship.

In a match that went to the maximum of five sets, Canada knew how to handle the emotions to take the victory against the Dominican team 3-2 (18-25, 25-23, 25-17, 25-27, 15-7) and thus finish this Phase 2 of the Championship with a level record of 2-2.

The Canadians’ attack was led by Kiera Van Ryk who scored 24 points followed by Alexa Gray with 17 and Emily Maglio with 13. For Las Reinas Gaila González scored 28 and the sisters Brayelin and Jineiry Martínez added 19 and 17 points respectively.

FIVB Women’s World Championship 2022

Brewster and Friend going for second gold at NORCECA Tour

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PASEO XOLOTLAN, Managua, Nicaragua, October 7, 2022.- Timothy Brewster and Kyle Friend, of United States won their two pool-play matches and advanced to quarterfinals of the V NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour, increasing their chances to repeat the gold medal they won in Punta Cana las week.

Brewster/Friend advanced to the quarterfinal round after beating  Daniel Delgado/Roberto Recinos of Guatemala, 2-0 and then with a 2-0 against Marc Lomeli/Daniel Samuelson of U.S. Virgin Islands.

Brewster/Friend wait for the winner between Daniel Dyner/Sebastián Valenciano of Costa Rica and Joseph Clercen/Sheldon Descartes of St. Lucia.

In the other bracket, Andy Leonardo/Luis García of Guatemala, advanced to quarterfinals winning over Paul Lotman/Raffe Paulis of United States 2-0. Leonardo/García wait for the winner between the U. S. Virgin Islands (Lomeli/Samuelson) and Jefferson Cascante/Danny López of Nicaragua.

The other Nicaraguans, Rubén Mora/Denis López, won pool A, beating Dominica and Costa Rica (Criforth Lobo/José Villafuerte), and wait for the winner of Canada’s Liam Kopp/Arran Chambers and Guatemala’s Delgado/Recinos.

Also, Lobo/Villafuerte of Costa Rica, will face team USA (Lotman/Paulis), to decide who faces the other Candian duo Jake MacNeil/William Russel in quarterfinals.

Ruben Mora NCA – Joseì Fernandez CRC

Round of 12 matches on Saturday:

Kopp/Chambers (CAN) vs Delgado/Recinos (GUA) 09:00

Dyner/Valenciano (CRC) vs Clercent/Sheldon (LCA) 09:45

Lomeli/Samuelson (ISV) vs Cascante/Lopez (NCA) 10:30

Lobo/Villafuerte (CRC) vs Lotman/Paulis (USA) 11:15

Men’s Results Friday

CRC (Criforth Lobo- José Villafuerte) 2-0 (21-11, 21-15) LCA (Joseph Clercen/Sheldon Descartes)

NCA (Ruben Mora/Denis Lopez) 2-0 a DMA (NFP)

CAN (Liam Kopp/Arran Chambers) 2-0 (21-17, 21-13) a NCA (Jefferson Cascante y Danny Lopez)

CAN (Jake MacNeil/William Russel) 2-0 (21-17, 21-18) ESA (Christopher Guardado/Yoel Guardado)

CRC (Daniel Dyner/Sebastián Valenciano) 2-0 (21-18, 21-10) JAM (Mark Blake/Noley Ferguson)

Guatemala (Andy Leonardo/Luis Garcia) 2-0 26-24, 21-16 USA (Paul Lotman/Raffe Paulis)

ISV (Marc Lomeli/Daniel Samuelson) 2-0 (21-0, 21-0) TTO NSP

USA (Kyle Friend/Timoty Brewster) 2-0 (21-8, 21-13) GUA (Daniel Delgado/Roberto Recinos)

NCA Mora/López 2-0 (21-14, 21-16) CRC (Lobo/ Villafuerte)

LCA (Clercent/Sheldon) 2-0 DMA NSP

CAN (MacNeil /Russell) 21-18, 21-12 CAN (Kopp/Chambers)

NCA (Cascante/López) 2-0 21-14, 21-14 ESA (Guardado/Guardado)

GUA (Leonardo/García) 2-0 (21-14, 21-15) Dyner/Valenciano

USA (Lotman/Paulis) 2-1 (16-21, 21-10, 15-9) JAM (Blake/Ferguson)

USA (Brewster/Friend) 2-0 (21-7, 21-16) ISV (Lomeli/Samuelson)

GUA – TTO (Forfeit)

USA, Canada and Mexico advance to Women’s Quarterfinals in Managua

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PASEO XOLOTLAN, Managua, Nicaragua, October 7 2022.- United States, Canada and Mexico advanced to the quarterfinal round of the women’s tournament at the V NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour that started in Managua.

The tour started this Friday with 12 pairs form nine countries, divided in four pools of 3 teams.

Canadians Amanda Harnett and Marie-Alex Bélanger, winners of the silver medal of the fourth stage of the event, led pool B and qualified to quarterfinals, where they wait for the winners from between Sofía Velásquez/Yvonne Soler, of El Salvador and Angel Williams/Kianny Araya, of Costa Rica.

In pool B, Mexican Abril Flores/Esperanza Albarrán, qualified first beating Velásquez/Soler of ESA. In pool C, the Americans Katie Lindstrom/Teegan Van Gunst sealed their ticket to quarters over Williams/Araya of Costa Rica, and will face Nicaraguan pair Lolette Rodríguez/Socorro López.

In pool D, Devin Corah/Adriel Goodman of Canada advanced to quarterfinals beating Smith/Kelly of Jamaica. The winner between Guatemala with Natalia Giron/Laura Quiñonez and Phylecia Armstrong/Suraya Chase of Jamaica, will face Canada in the next round.

Canadians Marie-Alex Belanger and Amanda Harnett

Round of 12 matches that grants a ticket to quarters on Saturday:

Silva /Salazar NCA -Smith/Kelly JAM 9:00 a.m.

Girón/Quiñonez GUA – Armstrong/Chase TTO 9:45 am.

Velásquez/Soler ESA- Williams/Quezada CRC 10:30 a.m.

Women’s Results Friday

ESA (Velásquez/Soler) 2-0 TTO (Forfeit)

NCA (Silva- Salazar) 2-0 a ISV (Forfeit)

USA (Lindstrom/Van Gunst) 2-0 (21-9, 21-18) a CRC (Williams/Araya)

CAN (Corah/Goodman) 2-0 (21-6, 21-14) JAM (Smith/Kelly)

MEX (Flores/Albarran) 2-0 (21-11, 21-10) ESA (Velásquez/Soler)

CAN (Harnett/Belanger) 2-0 (21-5, 21-8) NCA (Silva/Salazar)

USA (Lindstrom/Van Gunst) 2-0 (21-8, 21-13) GUA Girón/Quiñonez

CAN (Corah/Goodman) 2-1 (13-21, 21-12, 15-11) NCA López/Rodríguez

Managua host of the Fifth Stage of NORCECA Beach Tour

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MANAGUA, Nicaragua, October 7, 2022.- The City of Managua, Nicaraguan capital, is the host of the fifth stage of the NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour that runs from October 7-9 at Paseo Xolotlan.

This is the second occasion that Paseo Xolotlan receives the NORCECA Tour, they hosted the event for the first time in 2019; a spectacular venue constructed for the Managua 2017 Central American Games.

Twelve countries officially registered for the event, 16 teams in the men’s division and 12 in the women’s field.

Americans Timothy Brewster and Kyle Friend will be competing of their second straight gold, they won the fourth stop in Punta Cana this past weekend, defeating Cubans Nolsen Diaz and Jorge Luis Alayo 2-0 (21-16, 22-20); their first gold as a pair.

Nicaragua has two male teams, the number one seed of the tournament Ruben Mora and Denis Lopez, who qualified this year for the FIVB Beach World Championship, and Jefferson Cascante alongside Dany Lopez who has coupled up with Ruben Mora for many years, the most successful Nicaraguan team.

In the women’s division, Canadians Amanda Harnett and Marie-Alex Bélanger aim to reach the podium the second time in a row, they claimed Punta Cana’s bronze medal over Mexican duo Atenas Gutierrez and Maria Celeste Ibarra 2-0 (21-17, 21-18).  

Nicaraguan Socorro Lopez and Lolette Rodriguez will battle to reach Managua’s podium like they did in the first edition whey they won the silver medal.

Friday’s schedule features twenty-four matches, sixteen in the men’s division and eight in women.

The NORCECA Tour grants important ranking points as part of the qualification for the multisport events of 2023, the Central American and Caribbean Games in El Salvador and the Pan American Games in Chile.

Paseo Xolotlan

Women’s Teams

CAN Amanda Harnett/Marie-Alex Bélanger; Devin Corah/Adriel Goodman; CRC Angel Williams/Kianny Araya Quesada; ESA Yvonne Soler/Sofia Velasquez; GUA Natalia Giron/Laura Quiñonez; JAM Petal Smith/Chauna Kelly; MEX Abril Flores/ Esperanza Albarran; NCA Socorro Lopez/Lolette Rodriguez; Silvia Velasquez/Kadderly Rosales; TTO Phylecia Armstrong/Suraya Chase; USA Katie Lindstrom/Teegan Van Gunst; ISV Amber Bennett/Cristina Almeida-Anz

Men’s Teams

CAN Jake MacNeil/William Russell; Liam Kopp/Arran Chambers; CRC Criforth Fallas/Jose Pablo Fernandez; Dyner Villa/Sebastian Valenciano; DMA Deon Vidal/Yahn Florent; ESA Christopher Guardado/Yoel Guardado; GUA Andy Leonardo/Luis Garcia; Daniel Delgado/Roberto Recinos; JAM Martin Blake/Noley Ferguson; NCA Ruben Mora/Denis Lopez; Jefferson Cascante/Dany Lopez; LCA Joseph Clercent/ Sheldon Descartes; TTO Daneil Williams/Fabien Whitfield; USA Timothy Brewster/Kyle Friend; Paul Lotman/Raffe Paulis ISV Marc Lomeli/Daniel Samuelson

Americans Molly Turner and Madelyne Anderson Champions at Punta Cana

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PUNTA CANA, Dominican Republic, October 2, 2022.- Molly Turner and Madelyne Anderson of the United States were crowned champions of the Punta Cana Beach Volleyball Tournament, the fourth stop of the 2022 NORCECA Tour, over Canadians Lea Monkhouse and Molley McBain 2-0 (21-17, 21-19).  

Turner and Anderson advanced to the title match winning 2-0 (21-11, 21-11) in semifinals to Atenas Gutierrez and Maria Celeste Ibarra of Mexico, while Monkhouse and McBain were one minute short of an hour (59 min) in prevailing to compatriots Amanda Harnett and Marie-Alex Bélanger 2-1 (21-12, 20-22, 15-11). 

Canadians Harnett and Bélanger claimed the bronze medal over Mexican duo Gutierrez/Ibarra 2-0 (21-17, 21-18).  

Molly Turner and Madelyne Anderson of the United States

The local duo of Bethania Almanzar and Esmeralda Ramirez won the match for fifth place to Angel Williams and Kianny Araya Quesada of Costa Rica 2-0 (21-12, 21-19).  

On their way to fight for the fifth place, Almanzar/Ramirez obtained a tough 2-1 (22-20, 10-21, 19-17) victory over Mexico’s Albarran/Flores and Williams/Quesada beat Smith/Kelly of Jamaica 2-0 (21-15, 21-10) who finished in seventh place.  

Timothy Brewster and Kyle Friend of USA win Men’s Gold in Punta Cana

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PUNTA CANA, Dominican Republic, October 2, 2022.- Timothy Brewster and Kyle Friend of the United States won the gold medal over Cuban Noslen Diaz and Jorge Luis Alayo 2-0 (21-16, 22-20) of the fourth stop of the NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour in Punta Cana.
 
Brewster and Friend reached the gold medal match defeating the local pair of Jose Martinez and Francisco De Jesus 2-0 (21-14, 21-18) in semifinals, while Noslen Diaz and Jorge Luis Alayo struggled in the second set to come on top of Canadians Jake MacNeil and William Russell 2-0 (21-13, 22-20).
 
Jake MacNeil and William Russell fought strongly to come from behind and win the bronze medal to Dominicans Jose Martinez and Francisco De Jesus 2-1 (14-21, 21-14, 15-8).

Timothy Brewster and Kyle Friend of the United States

Mexican Jorge Barajas and Ricardo Galindo finished in fifth place defeating Guatemalan Andy Blanco and Luis García 2-0 (21-12, 21-16). Barajas/Galindo progressed to the fifth-place match beating Franklyn Flores and Armando Guatemala of El Salvador 2-0 (21-10, 21-10) and Blanco/García over Sheldon Descartes and Joseph Clercent of St. Lucia by a score of 2-0 (21-14, 21-15).
 
Salvadorians Flores/Guatemala won the battle for seventh place against Sheldon/Clercent of St. Lucia 2-0 (21-12, 21-12).

Canadians to meet in Punta Cana Women’s semifinals

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PUNTA CANA, Dominican Republic, October 1, 2022.- The two Canadian women duos of Amanda Harnett and Marie-Alex Bélanger, and Lea Monkhouse alongside Molley McBain kept their winning streak and will meet in Sunday’s semifinals of the fourth stop of the 2022 NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour in Punta Cana.

The first Canadian pair to reach the semifinals was Amanda Harnett and Marie-Alex Bélanger after winning their quarterfinal match to Angel Williams and Kianny Araya Quesada of Costa Rica 2-0 (21-12, 21-17).

While Lea Monkhouse and Molley McBain came out on top of Petal Smith and Chauna Kelly of Jamaica 2-0 (21-12, 21-13).

Molly Turner and Madelyne Anderson of the United States

The other semifinal will see Atenas Gutierrez and Maria Celeste Ibarra of Mexico facing Molly Turner and Madelyne Anderson of the United States.

Atenas Gutierrez and Maria Celeste Ibarra beat the local tandem of Bethania Almanzar and Esmeralda Ramirez 2-1 (21-15, 17-21, 15-8), while Molly Turner and Madelyne Anderson also needed three sets to overcome Mexicans Esperanza Albarran and Abril Flores 2-1 (21-19, 17-21, 15-6).

Earlier on Saturday, Dominicans Almanzar/Ramirez came from behind 2-1 (18-21, 21-14, 15-8) against their compatriots Rosario/Payano; Mexicans Esperanza Albarran and Abril Flores topped Soler/Velasquez of El Salvador 2-0 (21-13, 21-13); Costa Rican Williams/Quesada also came from behind 2-1 (20-22, 21-16, 15-6) to beat Giron/Alvarado of Guatemala; and Petal Smith with Chauna Kelly of Jamaica overpowered Delapenha/Powery of Cayman Islands 2-0 (21-3, 21-8).

Dominicans Martinez and De Jesus advance to semifinals in Punta Cana

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PUNTA CANA, Dominican Republic, October 1, 2022.- Oscar Jose Martinez and Francisco De Jesus of Dominican Republic advanced to the Men’s semifinals of the fourth stop of the 2022 NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour of Punta Cana in a comeback win over Franklyn Flores and Armando Guatemala of El Salvador 2-1 (18-21, 21-10, 15-12).

Martinez and De Jesus will go up against Timothy Brewster and Kyle Friend of the United States in Sunday’s semifinals, who downed Mexicans Jorge Barajas and Ricardo Galindo 2-0 (21-13, 21-14) in the quarterfinal round.  

In the other semifinal, Cuban duo of Noslen Díaz and Jorge Luis Alayo will meet Canadians Jake MacNeil and William Russell.

Díaz and Alayo advanced without difficulties defeating Sheldon Descartes and Joseph Clercent of St. Lucia 2-0 (21-11, 21-5), while MacNeil and Russell prevailed 2-0 (21-12, 21-11) against Guatemalan duo Andy Leonardo Blanco and Luis García.

The final four pairs had reached the quarterfinals winning their pools on the first day of the event.

Earlier on Saturday, to advance into quarterfinals, Sheldon Descartes and Joseph Clercent of St. Lucia beat Adrian/Josiah of Antigua and Barbuda 2-0 (21-11, 21-19) and Guatemalan Andy Blanco alongside Luis García took a 2-0 (21-0, 21-1) win against Hawkins/Simmons of Turks and Caicos.

While Jorge Barajas and Galindo of Mexico defeated Daniel Dyner and Bryan Monge of Costa Rica 2-0 (21-17, 21-13); and Franklyn Flores with Armando Guatemala of El Salvador overpowered Morales Monsalve/Tubben of Bonaire 2-0 (21-6, 21-6).

Canadian Women open Punta Cana strong

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PUNTA CANA, Dominican Republic, September 30, 2022.- Canadian women duos of Lea Monkhouse and Molley McBain in pool A and Amanda Harnett with Marie-Alex Bélanger in pool D opened strong the fourth stage of the NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour in Punta Cana, winning their two matches.

Monhouse and McBain won pool A defeating Angel Williams and Kianny Araya of Costa Rica 2-0 (21-6, 21-13) as well as Dominican duo of Jeneiry Rosario and Julibeth Payano 2-0 (21-13, 21-13).

On the other hand, Harnett/Bélanger controlled pool D beating Kwansia Carr/Tyke Hawkins of Antigua and Barbuda 2-0 (21-9, 21-10) but then worked hard recovering from losing the first set against Mexicans Esperanza Albarran and Abril Flores 2-1 (26-28, 21-19, 15-8).

Earlier on Friday, Albarran/Flores (MEX) downed Anjia Delapenha/Ileann Powery of Cayman Islands 2-0 (21-3, 21-14).

The other Mexican duo, Atenas Gutierrez alongside Maria Celeste Ibarra dominated pool B over Dominicans Paniagua/Martinez 2-0 (21-12, 21-14) and Jamaicans Petal Smith/ Chauna Kelly 2-0 (21-11, 21-19); with Smith/Kelly coming from a tough win against Yvonne Soler and Sofía Velasquez of El Salvador 2-1 (11-21, 21-13, 15-13).

Also, with two solid victories and winning pool C were team USA of Molly Turner and Madelyne Anderson. The Americans first won to Dominicans Almanzar/Ramirez 2-0 (21-15, 21-18) and then to Natalia Giron and Paola Alvarado of Guatemala 2-0 (21-12, 21-15).

Giron and Alvarado earlier beat Melanie Valenciana/Andrea Csaszi of U.S. Virgin Islands 2-0 (21-15, 21-18).

Pool-play resumes on Saturday morning, with pool winners and second places advancing into the knock-out round to take place later in the day.

Canada, Cuba, USA and Dominicans advance in Men’s Punta Cana Beach

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PUNTA CANA, Dominican Republic, September 30, 2022.- Duos of Canada, Cuba, United States, and the Dominican Republic advance to play-offs winning their pools at the Punta Cana Beach Volleyball Tournament, the 4th stage of the 2022 NORCECA Beach Tour.

Dominicans Oscar Martinez and Francisco De Jesus Goris took pool A dominating Daryl Franklyn/Asmond Franklyn of St. Vincent and the Grenadines 2-0 (21-16, 21-6) and Adrian Constant/Jahsun Josin of Antigua and Barbuda 2-0 (21-6, 21-15).

Tournament favorites Noslen Diaz and Jorge Luis Alayo from Cuba had no difficulties overpowering pool B beating Scott Hawkins/Sebastian Simmons of Turks and Caicos 2-0 (21-0, 21-3) followed by a 2-0 (21-3, 21-5) victory against Luiyi E. Morales/Koen Tubben of Bonaire.

Finishing first place in pool C, the Canadian duo of Jake MacNeil and William Russell who first downed Sheldon Descartes and Joseph Clercent of St. Lucia 2-0 (21-9, 21-10) and then triumphed over Jorge Barajas and Ricardo Galindo of Mexico 2-0 (21-19, 21-12), who earlier had beaten Jesario Ebanks/Jesper Barrozo of Cayman Islands by 2-0 (21-6, 21-7).

Timothy Brewster and Kyle Friend of the United States topped pool D defeating two Central American teams; first Adrian Guatemala and Franklyn Flores of El Salvador 2-0 (21-8, 21-11) and Guatemala’s Andy Leonardo Blanco with Luis García 2-0 (21-16, 21-15). Blanco and Garcia prevailed over Andrzej Ozarski/Cullen Diehl of U.S. Virgin Islands 2-0 (21-12, 21-12).

Second places of each group will advance into the elimination round when pool-play resumes on Saturday morning.

The NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour begins successfully in Punta Cana

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Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, September 30, 2022.- The fourth stop of the NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour kicked off with resounding success at Punta Cana Beach in the eastern part of the Dominican Republic.

In the women’s branch, Canada was 4-0, Dominican Republic 1-2, Costa Rica 0-1, Mexico 3-1, Jamaica 1-1, El Salvador 0-1, Virgin Islands 0-1, Grand Cayman 0-1, Guatemala 0-1 and United States 2-0.

In the men’s division, the Dominican Republic won its two matches 2-0, Costa Rica 0-1, Antigua 0-1, Nicaragua 0-3, Cuba 2-0, Bonaire 1-1, Mexico 1-1, Canada 2-0, Grand Cayman 0-1, Guatemala 1-2, United States 2-0, Virgin Islands 1-1, El Salvador 0-1.

The NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour awards points to participating teams to qualify for the Central American and Caribbean Games in El Salvador and the Pan American Games in Chile, both events to be held in 2023.

U23 NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour to start in Cayman Islands

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SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, September 30, 2022.- The NORCECA Confederation, especially our Beach Volleyball Department is pleased to announce the first edition of the U23 NORCECA Beach Volleyball Continental Tour to start in Cayman Islands from October 27-31.

All National Federations members of the NORCECA Confederation have been invited to participate in this first edition of the event, which will consist of a maximum of sixteen teams per gender.

National teams and players registered for the competition will accumulate FIVB ranking points, accountable for other international events, as well as seedings for the following stages of the U23 NORCECA Beach Volleyball Continental Tour.

Since 2009 Cayman Islands has joined efforts with NORCECA organizing the NORCECA Beach Volleyball Continental Tour and on this occasion becoming the first hosting country of the inaugural U23 Beach Continental event.

Download Invitation letter here:

Tour-Norceca-U23-Voleibol-de-Playa-1Download

Indhira Ramírez, NORCECA Beach Volleyball Department Director explained that with the creation of the NORCECA U23 Beach Volleyball Tour we will be establishing the under-age ranking for the qualification to FIVB world competitions as well as multisport events “this was necessary to increase the under-age group competition at a continental level and to create our regional ranking, in addition to contribute to beach volleyball development”.

Fourth Stop of the NORCECA Beach Tour kicks off on Friday

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PUNTA CANA, Dominican Republic, September 29, 2022.- The fourth stop of the 2022 NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour kicks off on Friday in Punta Cana with 32 participating teams from 17 countries.  

A total of sixteen teams per gender, divided into pools of four, confirmed their registration during the general technical meeting chaired by NORCECA President Cristóbal Marte Hoffiz, divided in four pools. 

In the men’s division Cubans Noslen Diaz and Jorge Luis Alayo won the season’s first event in Aguascalientes and finished third at the second stop held in Varadero.  

Friday’s pool-play action starts at 8:00 (local time), with 24 matches scheduled throughout the day.  

The NORCECA Tour grants important ranking points as part of the qualification for the multisport events of 2023, the Central American and Caribbean Games in El Salvador and the Pan American Games in Chile. 

Women’s Teams

ANT Kwansia Carr/Tyke Hawkins; CAN Amanda Harnett/Marie-Alex Bélanger; Lea Monkhouse/Molley McBain; CAY Anjia Delapenha/Ileann Powery; CRC Angel Williams/Kianny Araya; DOM Jeneiry Rosario/Julibeth Payano; Bethania Almanzar/Esmeralda Ramirez; Crismil Paniagua/Ruth Martinez; ESA Yvonne Soler/Sofia Velasquez; GUA Natalia Giron/Paola Alvarado; JAM Petal Smith/Chauna Kelly; MEX Atenas Gutierrez/Maria Celeste Ibarra; Esperanza Albarran/Abril Flores; NCA Socorro Lopez/Lolette Rodriguez; USA Molly Turner/Madelyne Anderson; ISV Melanie Valenciana/Andrea Csaszi. 

Men’s Teams

ANT Adrian Constant/Jahsun Josin; BON Luiyi E. Morales/Koen Tubben; CAN Jake MacNeil/William Russell; CAY Jesario Ebanks/Jesper Barrozo; CRC Daniel Dyner/Bryan Monge; CUB Noslen Diaz/Jorge Luis Alayo; DOM Oscar Jose Martinez/Francisco De Jesus Goris; ESA Franklin Flores/Armando Guatemala; GUA Andy Leonardo/Luis Garcia; MEX Jorge Barajas/Ricardo Galindo; NCA Ruben Mora/Dany Lopez; LCA Sheldon Descartes/Joseph Clercent; VIN Daryl Franklyn/Asmond Franklyn; TCI Scott Hawkins/Sebastian Simmons; USA Timothy Brewster/Kyle Friend; ISV Andrzej Ozarski/Cullen Diehl.

Punta Cana ready for Continental Beach Volleyball

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Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, September 26, 2022.- The VI version of the Continental Beach Volleyball Circuit will be held in Los Corales, Punta Cana from September 30 to October 2 of this year with the participation of 32 teams from 18 countries.


The director of the National Beach Volleyball Program, who is also technical vice president of the Dominican Volleyball Federation (FEDOVOLI), Amós Anglade, stressed that after Hurricane Fiona passed through the eastern part of the Dominican Republic, everything will be ready to host the participating teams and guaranteed the success of the event.


Among the countries that will see action at the event are Mexico, Puerto Rico, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Cuba, Canada, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Honduras, Guatemala and Suriname, among others.


The event that has been held since 2015 in the east of the Dominican Republic (Punta Cana) has the endorsement of the Dominican Volleyball Federation and the North Central American and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation (NORCECA) awards points to the participating teams for qualify for the XXIV Central American and Caribbean Games to be held in El Salvador and the XIX Pan American Games in Chile 2023.

Double podium for Canada

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Birmingham, England, August 7, 2022 – Four years after they were golden at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, Canada’s Melissa Humana-Paredes and Sarah Pavan defeated their Australian rivals Mariafe Artacho del Solar and Taliqua Clancy in a tie-break set at the women’s beach volleyball final. The score was 22-24, 21-17,15-12, delighting the crowds at the Smithfield venue in Birmingham, England.

“A second Commonwealth gold medal, it’s a great feeling,” said Kitchener, Ontario’s Pavan. “It was a much better performance on our side than yesterday (in the semi-final). It’s nice to walk away with a gold medal for Canada and this has just been an incredible experience.”

Said Humana-Paredes of Toronto: “This medal holds a lot of weight for me. It’s been four years and a lot can change, so the fact that we could execute another gold-medal performance is rare and very special. … I think this represents a lot of work and it’s for Team Canada!”

2022 Commonwealth Games Women’s Beach Volleyball Podium

Earlier in the day, the Canadian men’s team took silver after an exciting three-set contest, also with Australia.

Sam Schachter (Richmond Hill, ON) and Dan Dearing (Toronto) were finally beaten in extra points by Chris McHugh and Paul Burnett 1-2 (21-17, 17-21, 18-20).

“Both teams played at an incredibly high level – each team had rhythm at different points in the match…,” said Sam Schachter of Richmond Hill, ON, who also won silver at the Gold Coast Games, but with previous partner Sam Pedlow. “There were a couple of different things that I wish I could have changed, but overall I’m pretty impressed with how we played. We were resilient.”

2022 Common Wealth Games Men´s Beach Volleyball Podium

The pair had gone undefeated up until today’s final. England won men’s bronze, which was the first Commonwealth beach volleyball medal ever for this host nation. Vanuatu won the women’s bronze match over New Zealand.

Beach duos of Cuba and Mexico advanced to the Olympics

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Travelling restrictions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic prevented the normal celebration of the NORCECA Beach Volleyball Circuit for the second consecutive year.

Nevertheless, two important events took place in 2021 with the finals of the Continental Cup in Colima, Mexico where two countries –one per gender- qualified to the Tokyo Olympic Games and the U23 Qualifiers to the Junior Pan American Games in Cali-Valle, contested in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.

In the month of June, Cuba and Mexico earned the NORCECA tickets to the Olympics in the women and men categories, respectively.

The Cuban duos of Lidy Echeverria/Yanisleydis Sanchez and Leila Martínez/Mailen Deliz easily won their matches over the Mexicans Martha Revuelta/Zaira Orellana and Susana Torres/María Quintero.

Echeverría/Sanchez beat Revuelta/Orellana 2-0 (21-15, 21-15) while Martinez/Deliz crushed Torres/Quintero 2-0 (21-16, 21-7).

In the men’s tournament, the Mexican duo of Josué Gaxiola and José Luis Rubio won a golden set 15-13 over Canada’s Grant O’Gorman and Ben Saxton to seal their ticket to Tokyo.

Gaxiola/Rubio opened with a 2-0 (24-22, 21-13) victory over Sam Schachter and Sam Pedlow only to see how O’Gorman/Saxton defeated the veterans Juan Virgen and Lombardo Ontiveros 2-0 (21-18, 21-13) to force a golden set.

2021 in Review: Puerto Rico and Cuba win qualifiers to Cali Games

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Navas/González, considered the pre-tournament favourites, scored a 2-0 (21-19, 21-12) victory living up to the expectations.

In the semifinals, Navas/Gonzalez subdued Canada’s Becky Tresham and Kaylee Glagau 2-0 (21-15, 21-16) while Albarrán/Gutiérrez upset Cuba’s Lázara Madán and Dayani Zequeira 2-0 (21-13, 21-15) in 31 minutes.

The bronze medal went to Canada’s Tresham/Glagau who edged Cubans Madán/Zequeira 2-1 (21-13, 17-21, 15-6).

Cubans Luis Reyes and Noslen Diaz were the champions of the NORCECA U23 Men’s Beach Volleyball Qualifier to the Junior Pan American Games     

Reyes/Diaz claimed the gold medal following their 2-0 (21-14, 21-19) victory over Mexico’s Miguel Sarabia and Raymond Stephens in just 34 minutes.

In the semifinals, Reyes/Díaz defeated Nicaragua’s Solis and Denis Lopez 2-0 (21-17, 21-10) while Sarabia/Stephens beat Puerto Rico’s William Rivera and Randall Santiago 2-0 (21-16, 21-17).

The bronze medal went to Puerto Ricans Rivera/Santiago who won the third-place contest over Nicaragua’s Solis/Lopez by scores of 2-0 (21-8, 21-18).

The teams qualified were:

Puerto Rico, Cuba, Mexico and Costa Rica in both genders, the women’s teams of Canada and Guatemala and the men’s of Nicaragua and Dominican Republic.

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