JUAN DOLIO, Dominican Republic, December 17, 2023. – Cubans Noslen Díaz and Jorge Alayo got their revenge against Canada’s Samuel Schachter and Daniel Dearing with a 2-0 (24-22, 22-20) victory, claiming the championship title of the 2023 NORCECA Beach Volleyball Continental Tour Finals in Juan Dolio, Dominican Republic.
The duo of Noslen Díaz and Jorge Alayo concluded the NORCECA Tour 2023 with a bronze medal in Varadero and this gold medal.
In the NORCECA 2022 Finals, Díaz and Alayo fell to Schachter and Dearing, but this year, they achieved their anticipated victory, coming from behind in the first set by a four-point deficit (11-16). Díaz serves and Alayo’s block allowed them to level the score at 20 and again at 22.
In the second set, with some raindrops, the Cubans led 20-18, but Daniel, with his attack and block, leveled the score at 20. However, Díaz and Alayo prevailed with a strong serve and a Canadian unforced error.
“It was great that we reached the final again with them; now we are 1-1”, expressed Noslen Díaz. “We started behind, and I think our power in serving made the difference, allowing us to take control of the match” he underlined.
Jorge Alayo said, “I thank Noslen and the entire coaching staff who supported us throughout the year. This was a great match to get revenge from last year. There was a lot of emotion; we fought for every point and gave a good spectacle”.
Alayo and Díaz advanced to the gold medal match by defeating Rubén Mora/Jefferson Cascante of Nicaragua 2-0 (21-9, 21-14) in semifinals, while Schachter/Dearing beat Miles Partain/Andrew Benesh of the United States 2-0 (21-16, 21-19).
In the bronze medal match, Partain/Benesh defeated Mora/Cascante 2-0 (21-16, 21-9), winning their first NORCECA Beach Tour medal.
Men’s Results Sunday:
GOLD MEDAL Noslen Díaz/Jorge Alayo CUB d Samuel Schachter/Daniel Dearing CAN 2-0 (24-22, 22-20)
BRONZE MEDAL Miles Partain/Andrew Benesh USA d Rubén Mora/Jefferson Cascante NCA 2-0 (21-16, 21-9)
SEMIFINALS CAN d USA 2-0 (21-16, 21-19); CUB d NCA 2-0 (21-9, 21-14)
POSITIONS POS 5 MEX d PUR 2-0 (21-17, 29-27); POS 7 DOM d TTO 2-1 (22-20, 18-21, 15-9); POS 11 CRC d GUA 2-0 (21-13, 21-16); POS 9 ESA d ISV 2-0 (21-18, 21-15); POS 13 SKN d PAN (forfeit team B); POS 15 VIN d ARU 2-0 (21-17, 21-17); QF LOSERS MEX d TTO 2-0 (21-10, 21-15); PUR d DOM 2-1 (21-23, 21-18, 15-11)
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