Tag: 2024 NORCECA Beach Tour Costa Rica

SAN JOSÉ, Costa Rica, December 8, 2024.- The 9th Stop of the 2024 NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour, held on the sand courts of La Sabana, concluded with the American duo Peri Brennan and Molly Phillips winning the final match over Mexico’s Atenas Gutiérrez and Susana Torres 2-0 (21-19, 21-19).

In the battle for third place, the U.S. pair Taylor Wilson and Myszkowski faced Mexico’s Yeray Vidaurrazaga and Jimena Ramírez in a thrilling match that was decided in three sets, 2-1 (21-14, 25-27, 15-13). This victory secured a podium finish for the second U.S. duo in the tournament.

The competition featured an exciting semifinal stage. In the first matchup, Atenas Gutiérrez and Susana Torres defeated their compatriots Vidaurrazaga and Ramírez with a solid 2-0 (21-15, 21-14). Meanwhile, champions Brennan and Phillips overcame teammates Wilson and Myszkowski 2-0 (21-14, 21-13).

In position matches, Canada’s Sophia Hladyniuk and Myriam Robitaille worked hard to secure fifth place by defeating Austin/Buckner from the U.S. Virgin Islands 2-0 (22-20, 22-20). The Canadians had earlier dominated Costa Rica’s Aliza Aguilar and Kianny Araya 2-0 (21-14, 21-12), while the U.S. Virgin Islands pair defeated Guatemala’s Natalia Girón and Paola Alvarado 2-1 (16-21, 21-15, 16-14).

Natalia Girón and Paola Alvarado showed great composure to take seventh place, defeating Aguilar and Araya 2-0 (21-14, 21-19).

Ninth place was contested by Dominicans Crismil Paniagua and Yari Cleto, who edged Costa Rica’s Katherine Quesada and Eugenia Ramírez in an intense three-set duel, 2-1 (24-22, 18-21, 15-12).

Nicaragua’s Norma Brenes and Lolette Rodríguez claimed 11th place after defeating El Salvador’s Keiry Guzmán and Fátima Rendón 2-0 (21-7, 21-13). For 13th place, Costa Rica’s Valentina Molina and Sofía Vega outperformed El Salvador’s Karla Tovar and Daniela Vigil 2-0 (21-18, 21-16). Finally, Destiny Layne and Serena Edwards from Barbados were awarded 15th place with a bye.

The 9th Stop of the 2024 NORCECA Tour provided thrilling competition with the participation of 15 tandems, highlighted by the dominance of the U.S. teams, who claimed two of the three podium spots.

Final Positions: 1. Peri Brennan y Molly Phillips (USA1); 2. Atenas Gutiérrez y Susana Torres (MEX1); 3. Taylor Wilson y Myszkowski (USA2); 4. Yeray Vidaurrazaga y Jimena Ramírez (MEX2); 5. Sophia Hladyniuk y Myriam Robitaille (CAN); 6. T’ara Austin y Taylor Buckner (ISV); 7. Natalia Girón y Paola Alvarado (GUA); 8. Aliza Aguilar y Kianny Araya (CRC1); 9. Crismil Paniagua y Yari Cleto (DOM); 10. Katherine Quesada y Eugenia Ramírez (CRC3); 11. Norma Brenes y Lolette Rodríguez (NCA); 12. Keiry Guzmán y Fátima Rendón (ESA2); 13. Valentina Molina y Sofía Vega (CRC2); 14. Karla Tovar y Daniela Vigil (ESA1); 15. Destiny Layne y Serena Edwards (BAR)

RESULTS

FIRST PLACE Peri Brennan y Molly Phillips (USA)- Atenas Gutiérrez y Susana Torres (MEX) 2-0 (21-19/21-19); THIRD PLACE: Wilson/Myszkowski (USA)- Vidaurrazaga/Ramírez (MEX) 2-1 (21-14, 25-27, 15-13); FIFTH PLACE:  Hladyniuk/Robitaille (CAN)- Austin/Buckner (ISV) 2-0 (22-20/22-20); SEVENTH PLACE: N. Giron/Alvarado (GUA) – Aguilar/Quesada (CRC) 2-0  (21-14, 21-19); NINTH PLACE Paniagua/Cleto (DOM)- Quesada/Ramírez (CRC) 2-1 (24-22, 18-21, 15-12); 11TH PLACE: N. Brenes/Lolette (NCA)- Guzmán/Rendón (ESA) 2-0 (21-07/21-13); 13TH PLACE: Molina/Sofi V (CRC)- Tovar/Vigil (ESA) 2-0 (21-18/21-16); 15TH PLACE: Layne/Edwards BAR BYE

SEMIFINALS: Gutierrez/Torres MEX [9] Vidaurrazaga/Ramirez MEX [13] 2-0 (21-15, 21-14); Wilson/Myszkowski USA – Brennan/Phillips USA; PERDEDORES CUARTOS DE FINAL: N. Giron/Alvarado GUA [5] Austin/Buckner ISV; Hladyniuk/Robitaille CAN- Aguilar/Quesada CRC 2-0 (21-14/21-12)

SAN JOSÉ, Costa Rica, December 8, 2024.- The Mexican duo Miguel Sarabia and Jorman Osuna claimed the gold medal at the ninth stop of the 2024 NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour after defeating Garrett Bucklin and Tyler Penberthy from the U.S. Virgin Islands 2-0 (21-19, 21-13) in the final.

Sarabia and Osuna established themselves as the tournament’s standout pair, reaching the top undefeated.

In route to an electrifying and highly competitive final, Sarabia and Osuna defeated their compatriots Ines Lares and Gabriel Cruz in the semifinals with a close 2-0 (21-18, 28-26) scoreline. Meanwhile, Bucklin and Penberthy edged out Americans Silila Tucker and Cody  Caldwell in another tightly contested match, also finishing 2-0 (22-20, 23-21).

In the battle for third place, the U.S. duo Silila Tucker and Cody Caldwell overcame Mexico’s Gabriel Cruz and Ines Vargas in a thrilling match that ended 2-1 (21-15, 12-21, 15-8). Tucker and Caldwell displayed resilience and technical skills to secure their spot on the podium.

In the fifth-place match, Costa Rica’s Stanley Grant and Julián Araya overcame Clements and Van Siclen of the U.S. Virgin Islands in a thrilling match that ended 2-0 (21-10, 31-29). Earlier, Stanley/Grant defeated Guatemala’s Luis García and Edgar Maldonado 2-0 (21-18, 21-15), who finished eighth after falling to the Dominican duo Francisco De Jesús and Rolvin Maldonado 2-0 (21-12, 21-16).

Canada’s Luke de Greeff and Guillaume Rivest secured ninth place after defeating Nicaragua’s Denis López and Dany López 2-0 (21-16, 21-14).

The Salvadoran team of Gabriel Vargas and Carlos Mejía claimed 11th place with a narrow victory over Costa Rica’s Edwin and Juan Diego Delgado 2-1 (27-25, 17-21, 15-13). Meanwhile, Barbados’ Jonathan Alleyne and Ronald Rice took 13th place, defeating Guatemala’s Santiago Penagos and Javier Lucero 2-0 (21-14, 21-15).

Saint Kitts and Nevis duo Julian Bristol and Jedediah Pencheon secured 15th place by defeating Bermuda’s Sean Tucker and Kyle Hamilton 2-1 (18-21, 21-18, 15-7).

The tournament featured the participation of 16 teams from across the region, showcasing a high level of technical and strategic skill in every match.

The final standings were as follows: 1. Sarabia/Osuna (MEX1); 2. Bucklin/Penberthy (ISV1); 3. Tucker/Caldwell (USA); 4. Lares/Cruz (MEX2); 5. Stanley/Araya (CRC1); 6. Clements/Van Siclen (ISV2); 7. De Jesús/Maldonado (DOM); 8. Maldonado/García (GUA1); 9. De Greeff/Rivest (CAN); 10. López/López (NCA); 11. Mejía/Vargas (ESA); 12. Delgado/Delgado (CRC2); 13. Alleyne/Rice (BAR); 14. Lucero/Penagos (GUA2); 15. Bristol/Pencheon (SKN); 16. Tucker/Hamilton (BER).

RESULTS

FINAL: Sarabia /OSUNA (MEX)- Bucklin/Penberthy (ISV) 2-0 (21-19, 21-13); THIRD PLACE: Tucker/Caldwell (USA) – Lares/Cruz (MEX)  2-1 (21-15/12-21/15-08); FIFTH PLACE: Stanley/Araya (CRC)- Clements /Van Siclen (ISV) 2-0 (21-10/31-29); SEVENTH PLACE: De Jesús/MALDONADO (DOM) – Maldonado/Garcia (GUA) 2-0 (21-12/21-16); NINTH PLACE de Greeff/Rivest (CAN)- López/López (NCA) 2-0 (21-16/21-14); 11TH PLACE: MEJIA/Vargas (ESA) – Delgado/Delgado (CRC) 2-1 (27-25/17-21/15-13); 13TH PLACE Alleyne/Rice (BAR)-Lucero/Penagos (GUA) 2-0 (21-14/21-15); 15TH PLACE Bristol/Pencheon (SKN) -Tucker/Hamilton (BER) 2-1 (18-21/21-18/15-07)

SEMIFINALS: Sarabia /OSUNA MEX – Lares/Cruz (MEX) 2-0 (21-18, 28-26); Bucklin/Penberthy ISV- Tucker/Caldwell (USA) 2-0 (22-20, 23-21) PERDEDORES CUARTOS DE FINAL: Stanley/Araya (CRC) – Maldonado/García (GUA) 2-0 (21-18, 21-15); Clements /Van Siclen (ISV) – De Jesus/MALDONADO (DOM) 2-1 (21-14, 16-21, 16-14)

SAN JOSÉ, Costa Rica, November 7, 2024.- United States and Mexico have established themselves as the top contenders in the women’s tournament of the ninth stop of the NORCECA Continental Tour in Costa Rica, each securing two teams in the semifinals.

The American duo of Peri Brennan and Molly Phillips advanced to the semifinals with a 2-0 (21-18, 21-13) victory over Costa Rica’s Aliza Aguilar and Kianny Quesada. Similarly, their compatriots Taylor Wilson and Myszkowski dominated Guatemala’s Natalia Girón and Paola Alvarado, winning 2-0 (21-15, 21-10), demonstrating their strength and strategy in every set.

Mexico kept pace by also advancing both of their teams to the semifinals. Atenas Gutiérrez and Susana Torres defeated the U.S. Virgin Islands pair T’ara Austin and Taylor Buckner in a tight match, finishing 2-0 (21-19, 21-12). Meanwhile, Yeray Vidaurrazaga and Jimena Ramírez overcame Canada’s Sophia Hladyniuk and Myriam Robitaille in a hard-fought battle, sealing a 2-0 (21-18, 21-14) win.

These victories set the stage for thrilling semifinal clashes between Mexico and the United States. Brennan/Phillips will face their fellow Americans Wilson/Myszkowski, while the Mexican semifinal features Vidaurrazaga/Ramírez against Gutiérrez/Torres.

In pool-play, in Pool A, Brennan and Phillips (USA) finished undefeated after beating Paniagua and Cleto (DOM) 21-09, 21-16, leaving Mexico in second place and the Dominican Republic in third.

Austin and Buckner (ISV) claimed the top spot in Pool B after edging Costa Rica’s Aguilar and Quesada 22-20, 21-19, with Costa Rica taking second place.

In Pool C, Wilson and Myszkowski (USA) defeated Costa Rica’s Quesada and Ramírez 2-0 (21-16, 21-14). Hladyniuk/Robitaille (CAN) secured second place with a 2-0 (21-11, 21-18) victory over Tovar/Vigil (ESA).

Pool D was led by Vidaurrazaga and Ramírez (MEX), who triumphed over Costa Rica’s Molina and Sofía Vega 21-14, 21-06. Guatemala’s Girón and Alvarado secured second place after defeating Brenes/Lolette (NCA) 2-0 (22-20, 21-14).

In placement matches, Paniagua and Cleto (DOM) beat Brenes and Lolette (NCA) 2-1 (21-15, 17-21, 15-9), while Quesada and Ramírez (CRC) outperformed Guzmán and Rendón (ESA) with a clear 2-0 (21-10, 21-08). For the 13th to 16th positions, Tovar and Vigil (ESA) defeated Layne and Edwards (BAR) 2-0 (21-18, 22-20), and Molina and Sofía Vega (CRC) advanced automatically with a bye.

WOMEN’S RESULTS

POOL-PLAY POOL A Gutiérrez / Torres (MEX) BYE; Brennan / Phillips (USA) – Paniagua/Cleto (DOM) 2-0 (21-09/21-16); POOL B Austin/Buckner (ISV) -Aguilar/Quesada (CRC) 2-0 (22-20/21-19); Guzmán/Rendon (ESA)- Layne/Edwards (BAR) 2-1 (21-17/18-21/15-3); POOL C Hladyniuk/Robitaille (CAN)-Tovar/Vigil (ESA) 2-0 (21-11/21-18); Wilson/Myszkowski (USA)-Quesada/Ramírez (CRC) 2-0 (21-16/21-14); POOL D Vidaurruzaga/Ramírez (MEX) -Molina/Sofi V (CRC) 2-0 (21-14/21-06); N.Giron/Alvarado (GUA) -N.Brenes/Lolette (NCA) 2-0 (21-16/22-20)

Classif. 9/12 Paniagua/Cleto (DOM)- N. BRENES/Lolette (NCA) 2-1 (21-15/17-21/15-9); Quesada/Ramírez (CRC)- Guzmán/Rendon (ESA) 2-0 (21-10/21-08); Classif. 13/16 Tovar/Vigil (ESA)- Layne/Edwards (BAR) 2-0 (21-18, 22-20); Molina/Sofi V (CRC) Bye

QUARTERFINALS: Brennan/Phillips (USA)- Aguilar/Quesada (CRC) 2-0 (21-18/21-13); Wilson/Myszkowski (USA)- N. Giron/Alvarado (GUA) 2-0 (21-15/21-10); Gutiérrez/Torres (MEX) -Austin/Buckner (ISV) 2-0 (21-19/21-12); Vidaurrazaga/Ramirez (MEX)- Hladyniuk/Robitaille (CAN) 2-0 (21-18, 21-14)

SAN JOSÉ, Costa Rica, December 7, 2024.- Mexico’s duos, Sarabia/Osuna and Lares/Cruz, along with Tucker/Caldwell from the United States and Bucklin/Penberthy from the U.S. Virgin Islands, advanced to the men’s semifinals at the ninth stop of the NORCECA Tour in Costa Rica.

The semifinals will begin Sunday at 9:00 a.m., with the following matchups: Tyler Penberthy/Garrett Bucklin (ISV) will face Silila Tucker/Cody Caldwell (USA), while Miguel Sarabia/Jorman Osuna (MEX) will take on their compatriots Ines Vargas/Gabriel Cruz (MEX), promising an exciting conclusion to the tournament.

In the quarterfinals, Miguel Sarabia and Jorman Osuna of Mexico secured their spot in the semifinals with a dominant 2-0 victory over Guatemala’s Luis García and Edgar Maldonado, with scores 21-12 and 21-11. Their Mexican compatriots, Ines Vargas and Gabriel Cruz, also advanced after defeating Costa Rica’s Stanley Grant Brown and Julián Araya 2-0 (21-19, 21-14), leaving the hosts without representation in the semifinals.

The USA duo of Silila Tucker and Cody Caldwell earned their semifinal berth with a 2-0 (21-17, 21-12) win against the Dominicans Francisco De Jesús and Rolvin Maldonado. Finally, in a closely contested quarterfinal between the two U.S. Virgin Islands teams, Tyler Penberthy and Garrett Bucklin edged out Devin Van Siclen and William Clements 2-0 (22-20, 21-10).

Pool-play concluded earlier in the day, with Miguel Sarabia and Jorman Osuna of Mexico dominated Lucero/Penagos 2-0 (21-6, 21-4) to top Pool A. De Jesús/Maldonado secured second place in the pool after a hard-fought 2-0 (21-19, 21-18) victory over Canada’s De Greeff/Rivest.

Tucker and Caldwell of the USA finished first in Pool B with a commanding 2-0 (21-12, 21-7) win over Guatemala’s Maldonado/García, who settled for second place.

In Pool C, Tyler Penberthy and Garrett Bucklin (ISV) claimed the top spot with a 2-0 (21-14, 21-14) win against Nicaragua’s Lopez/Lopez. Mexico’s Lares/Cruz secured second place with a 2-0 (21-13, 21-10) victory over Alleyne/Rice of Barbados.

Finally, in Pool D, Costa Rica’s Stanley Grant Brown and Julián Araya topped the standings after defeating Mejía/Vargas of El Salvador 2-0 (21-18, 21-18). Clements/Van Siclen (ISV) took second place with a 2-0 (21-16, 21-11) win over Tucker/Hamilton of Bermuda.

MEN’S RESULTS

Quarterfinals: Sarabia /OSUNA (MEX)- Maldonado/Garcia (GUA) 2-0 (21-12, 21-11); Lares/Cruz (MEX) -Stanley/Araya (CRC) 2-0 (21-19/21-14); Bucklin/Penberthy (ISV)- Clements vs. Van Sicle (ISV) 2-0 (22-20/21-10); Tucker/Caldwell (USA)- De Jesús/MALDONADO (DOM) 2-0 (21-17/21-12)

Classif. 9/12: Lopez/Lopez NCA – Delgado/Delgado CRC; de Greeff/Rivest CAN- MEJIA/Vargas ESA 2-0 (21-16, 21-12)

Classif. 13/16: Alleyne/Rice BAR- Bristol/Pencheon SKN 2-0 (21-12, 21-14); Lucero/Penagos GUA-; Tucker/Hamilton VER 2-1 (21-15, 20-22, 15-10)

POOL-PLAY GRUPO A De Jesus/Maldonado (DOM)-de Greeff/Rivest (CAN) 2-0 (21-19/21-18); Sarabia/Osuna (MEX)-Lucero/Penagos (GUA) 2-0 (21-6, 21-7) GRUPO B Delgado/Delgado (CRC) – Bristol/Pencheon (SKN) 2-0 (21-16/21-14); Tucker/Caldwell (USA) – Maldonado/García (GUA) 2-0 (21-12/21-07) GRUPO C Lares/Cruz (MEX) -Allen/Reece (BAR) 2-0 (21-13/21-10); Bucklin/Penherty (ISV)-Lopez/Lopez (NCA) 2-0 (21-14/21-14) GRUPO D Stanley/Ayara (CRC)-Mejía/Vargas (ESA)  2-0 (21-18, 21-18) ; Clements vs. Van Sicle (ISV)-Tucker/Hamilton (BER) 2-0 (21-16/21-11)

San José, Costa Rica, December 6, 2024.- Brennan/Phillips and Wilson/Myszkowski from the United States, Austin/Buckner from the U.S. Virgin Islands, Aguilar/Quesada from Costa Rica, and Vidaurrazaga/Ramirez from Mexico finished the first day of the women’s division at the ninth stage of the NORCECA Tour in La Sabana, Costa Rica, undefeated.

In the most contested match of Pool A, the U.S. team of Peri Brennan and Molly Phillips edged Mexico’s Atenas Gutiérrez and Susana Torres in a thrilling three-set battle, 2-1 (21-19, 12-21, 21-19). The Mexican duo Gutiérrez/Torres had previously secured a solid 2-0 win against the Dominican Republic’s Crismil Paniagua and Yari Cleto (21-12, 21-18).

Pool B featured dominance by T’ara Austin and Taylor Buckner of the U.S. Virgin Islands and the local pair of Aliza Aguilar and Kianny Araya, both of whom claimed convincing victories in their respective matches.

The Costa Ricans defeated Keiry Guzmán and Fátima Rendón from El Salvador 2-0 (21-13, 21-11) and also triumphed over Barbados’ Destiny Layne and Serena Edwards 2-0 (21-11, 21-14). Meanwhile, Austin/Buckner (ISV) left no room for surprises, beating the pairs from Barbados and El Salvador with commanding 2-0 results (21-09, 21-11) and (21-12, 21-09), respectively.

In Pool C, the U.S. pair of Wilson Taylor and Natalie Myszkowski dominated their matches, defeating El Salvador’s Karla Tovar and Sofía Vigil 2-0 (21-10, 21-7) and Canada’s Sophia Hladyniuk and Myriam Robitaille 2-0 (21-14, 21-17). Costa Rica’s Katherine Quesada and Eugenia Ramírez managed an important 2-0 victory against Tovar/Vigil of El Salvador (21-12, 21-15) but fell to the Canadians in a close 2-1 battle (15-21, 21-17, 15-13).

Mexico’s Yeray Vidaurrazaga and María Ramírez showcased their superiority in Pool D, easily defeating Nicaragua’s Norma Brenes and Lolette Rodríguez 2-0 (21-08, 21-07) before securing their second win against Guatemala’s Natalia Girón and Paola Alvarado 2-0 (21-11, 21-17). Guatemala’s Girón/Alvarado also claimed a hard-fought victory against Costa Rica’s Valentina Molina and Sofía Vega, winning 2-1 (21-19, 15-21, 15-13).

The NORCECA Tour continues Saturday with the decisive final pool-play matches, followed by the quarterfinals and placement matches.

WOMEN’S RESULTS

POOL A Brennan/Phillips (USA) Bye/Paniagua/Cleto (DOM) Bye/ Gutiérrez/Torres (MEX) – Paniagua/Cleto (DOM) 2-0 (21-12/21-18)/Brennan/Phillips (USA)-Gutiérrez/Torres (MEX)2-1 (21-19/12-21/21-19) POOL A Austin/Buckner (ISV)-Layne/Edwards (BAR) 2-0 (21-09/21-11) /Aguilar/Quesada (CRC)-Guzmán/Rendón (ESA) 2-0 (21-13/21-11)/Aguilar/Quesada (CRC)-Layne/Edwards (BAR) 2-0 (21-11/21-14)/Austin/Buckner (ISV)-Guzmán/Rendón (ESA) 2-0 (21-12/21-09)/ POOL A Wilson/Myszkowski (USA) – Tovar/Vigil (ESA) 2-0 (21-10/21-7) /Hladyniuk/Robitaille (CAN)-Quesada/Ramírez (CRC) 2-1 (15-21/21-17/15-13) / Wilson/Myszkowski (USA)-Hladyniuk/Robitaille (CAN) 2-0 (21-14/21-17) /Quesada/Ramírez (CRC) – Tovar/Vigil (ESA) 2-0 (21-12/21-15) POOL A Vidaurrazaga/Ramírez (MEX)-N. Brenes/Lolette (NCA) 2-0 (21-08/21-07)/N. Girón/Alvarado (GUA)-Molina/Sofi V (CRC) 2-1 (21-19/15-21/15-13)/N. Brenes/Lolette (NCA)-Molina/Sofi V (CRC) 2-1 (21-13/18-21/15-09) / Vidaurrazaga/Ramírez (MEX) -N. Girón/Alvarado (GUA) 2-0 (21-11/21-17)

San José, Costa Rica, December 6, 2024.- The duos Sarabia/Osuna from Mexico, Tucker/Caldwell from the United States, Bucklin/Penberthy from the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Stanley/Araya from Costa Rica each claimed two victories in an electrifying start to the ninth stop of the 2024 NORCECA Tour at La Sabana sand courts in Costa Rica.

In Pool A, the Mexican duo Miguel Sarabia and Jorman Osuna exceled with two consecutive wins. In their debut, they overcame the Dominican pair Hayerling De Jesús and Rolvin Maldonado in a hard-fought 2-1 (21-19, 21-13, 15-11). Later, they secured another victory against Canada’s Luke de Greeff and Guillaume Rivest with a 2-0 (21-19, 21-17) win.

Meanwhile, the Dominican representatives achieved an important 2-1 (21-16, 16-21, 15-7) victory over Guatemala’s Santiago Penagos and Javier Lucero, who ended winless.

Pool B saw the dominance of the U.S. team of Silila Tucker and Cody Caldwell, who delivered commanding performances in their two matches, defeating Costa Rica’s Edwin Delgado and Juan Diego Delgado (21-09, 21-11) and St. Kitts and Nevis’ Julian Bristol and Jedediah Pencheon (21-09, 21-14).

Guatemala’s Luis García and Edgar Maldonado secured a crucial victory against Delgado/Delgado in a closely contested 2-1 (21-17, 19-21, 15-10) match.

Pool C featured equally intense action. The U.S. Virgin Islands duo of Tyler Penberthy and Garrett Bucklin stood out with two victories, including a thrilling 2-1 (19-21, 21-14, 15-10) win over Mexico’s Ines Vargas and Gabriel Cruz. Earlier, Penberthy/Bucklin defeated Barbados’ Jonathan Alleyne and Ronald Rice 2-0 (21-09, 21-11).

Nicaragua’s Denis López and Dany López earned an important 2-0 (21-10, 21-16) victory against Alleyne and Rice, who were unable to secure any wins on the day.

Costa Rica topped in Pool D, where Stanley Grant and Julián Araya delivered a flawless debut. In their first match, they defeated Devin Van Siclen and William Clemens (ISV) 2-0 (21-15, 21-18) and later overcame Sean Tucker and Kyle Hamilton (BER) with a similar score (21-16, 21-15).

El Salvador’s Gabriel Vargas and Carlos Mejía also impressed, defeating Bermuda’s representatives 2-0 (21-18, 21-09) before falling to the U.S. Virgin Islands team in their final match.

The group stage concludes Saturday morning, followed by quarterfinal matches and placement games. The tournament promises to maintain the excitement and quality through every set.

MEN’S RESULTS

POOL A Sarabia/OSUNA (MEX) -De Jesús/MALDONADO (DOM) 2-1 (21-19/21-13/15-11)/ de Greeff/Rivest (CAN)-Lucero/Penagos (GUA) 2-0 (21-15/21-15) / De Jesús/MALDONADO (DOM)-Lucero/Penagos (GUA) 2-1 (21-16/16-21/15-7) /Sarabia/OSUNA (MEX)-de Greeff/Rivest (CAN) 2-0 (21-19/21-17) POOL B Maldonado/García (GUA)-Bristol/Pencheon (SKN) 2-0 (21-13/21-16)/Tucker/Caldwell (USA)-Delgado/Delgado (CRC) 2-0 (21-09/21-11)/Tucker/Caldwell (USA)-Bristol/Pencheon (SKN) 2-0 (21-09/21-14) /Maldonado/Garcia (GUA)- Delgado/Delgado (CRC) 2-1 (21-17/19-21/15-10) POOL C Bucklin/Penberthy (ISV)-Alleyne/Rice (BAR)   2-0 (21-09/21-11) /Lares/Cruz (MEX)-López/López (NCA) 2-0 (21-19/21-12) /López/López (NCA)-Alleyne/Rice (BAR) 2-0 (21-10/21-16) /Bucklin/Penberthy (ISV)-Lares/Cruz (MEX) 2-1 (19-21/21-14/15-10 POOL D MEJIA/Vargas (ESA)-Tucker/Hamilton (BER) 2-0 (21-18/21-09) / Stanley/Araya (CRC)-Clements/Van Sicien (ISV) 2-0 (21-15/21-18)/Stanley/Araya (CRC)-Tucker/Hamilton (BER)  2-0 (21-16/21-15) /Clements/Van Sicien (ISV)-MEJIA/Vargas (ESA) 2-0 (21-10/21-18)

SAN JOSÉ, Costa Rica, Thursday, December 5, 2024.- The sand courts of La Sabana Metropolitan Park in San José, Costa Rica, will host the ninth and final stage of the NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour running from Friday December 6, through Sunday, December 8.

Over three days of competition, the top men’s and women’s duos from the North, Central America, and Caribbean Confederation will battle for top honors.

The event will feature women’s teams from the United States, Canada, Guatemala, Mexico, Barbados, Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, El Salvador, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. On the men’s side, teams from Saint Kitts & Nevis, El Salvador, Guatemala, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Mexico, Barbados, the Dominican Republic, Bermuda, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Canada, and the United States will compete.

A total of 31 teams are registered for the event, 16 in the men’s division and 15 in women,  divided into four pools per gender.

This marks the second time in history that Costa Rica will host a NORCECA Tour stage, having previously hosted the tenth stage in 2013, also at La Sabana Metropolitan Park.

Among the standout athletes, Nicaragua’s Dany López, who won gold in the sixth stage in Puerto Cortés, Honduras, alongside Rubén Mora, will compete in Costa Rica with Dennis López.

From Canada, Luke De Greeff, who earned bronze in the eighth stage in San Salvador and the seventh in Bonaire alongside Martin Licht, will now partner with Guillaume Rivest.

For the United States, Cody Caldwell, who won gold in Varadero during the second stage of the tour, will team up with Silila Tucker. Also noteworthy is the Dominican duo of Hayerling De Jesús and Rolvin Maldonado, runners-up in the fifth stop in Punta Cana.

Mexico returns to the tour after missing several 2024 stages, fielding four teams: Inés Vargas/Gabriel Cruz and Miguel Sarabia/Jorman Osuna in the men’s category, and Atenas Gutiérrez/Susana Torres and Yamilet Vidaurrazaga/María Jimena Ramírez in the women’s category.

Atenas Gutiérrez and Susana Torres previously won silver in the third stage of the tour in Juan Dolio and secured bronze in the tour finals, also held in Juan Dolio.

The host, Costa Rica, will present three women’s teams and two men’s teams. On the women’s side are Aliza Aguilar/Kianny Araya, Valentina Molina/Sofía Vega, and Katherine Quesada/Eugenia Ramírez. On the men’s side are Stanley Grant/Julián Araya and Edwin Delgado/Juan Diego Delgado.

The event begins this Friday with pool matches starting at 9:00 a.m., featuring 16 matches per gender.

Men’s Teams:

BAR: Jonathan Xavier Alleyne y Ronald Rice; BER: Sean Tucker y Kyle Hamilton; CAN: Luke de Greeff y Guillaume Rivest; CRC1: Stanley Grant Brown y Julián Araya Alas; CRC2: Edwin Delgado y Juan Diego Delgado; ESA: Gabriel Baltazr Vargas Romero y Carlos Adonai Mejía Pèrez; DOM: Hayerling Francisco De Jesús Goris y Rolvin Maldonado Sanchez; GUA1: Luis Augusto García Betancourt  y Edgar Andrés Maldonado Espina; GUA2: Santiago Penagos Hernández  y Javier Alberto Lucero Perez; MEX1: Miguel Sarabia Delgado y Jorman Osuna Valdez,  MEX2: Ines Antonio Vargas Lares y Gabriel Cruz Mendoza; NIC: Denis José López Ruiz y Dany Antonio López Alvarado; SKN: Julian Bristol y Jedediah Pencheon; USA: Silila Tucker y Cody Caldwell; ISV1: Tyler Penberthy  y Garrett Bucklin; ISV2: Devin Van Siclen William Clemens

Women’s Teams: BAR: Destiny Layne y Serena Edwards ; CAN: Sophia Hladyniuk y Myriam Robitaille; CRC1: Aliza Aguilar Delgado y Kianny María Araya Quesada; CRC2: Laura Valentina Molina Alvarado y Sofía Vega Barrantes; CRC3: Katherine V. Quesada Ovando y Eugenia Ramirez; ESA1: Karla Jamileth Tovar Tovar y Daniela Sofía Vigil Catillejos, ESA2: Keiry Michelle Guzman Espinoza y Fátima Giselle Rendon Garcia; DOM: Crismil Paniagua Hinojosa y Yari Manuela Cleto Rosario; GUA: Natalia María Girón Boesche y Paola Marie Alvarado Franco; MEX1: Atenas Angelica Gutierrez Guzmán y Susana Torres García; MEX2: Yeray Yamilet Vidaurrazaga Blanco y Maria Jimena Ramirez Campas; NIC: Norma Brenes Zavala y Lolette Eleonor Rodríguez Saunders; USA1: Peri Brennan y Molly Phillips; USA2: Wilson Taylor y Nicole Myszkowski; ISV: T’ara Austin y Taylor Buckner.