Tag: Beach Volleyball

CHF 559,000 Raised For FIVB Volleyball Foundation To Connect, Serve And Inspire

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Volleyball Foundation ready to serve the world following incredible launch event at the FIVB Headquarters in Lausanne

  • The Volleyball Foundation’s mission to connect, serve and inspire commenced with a vibrant launch event at the FIVB Headquarters
  • The IOC President and Olympic Movement representatives joined members of the volleyball community and other esteemed guests for the celebration
  • A total of CHF 559,000 was raised through donations and an exciting auction, with funds set to support impactful projects across the world

 The FIVB Headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland yesterday welcomed guests from the international sports community and beyond for the launch event of the Volleyball Foundation, raising over CHF 559,000 through donations and a special charity auction to support impactful volleyball projects worldwide.

Key figures from the international sports community, including leaders from the volleyball community, the Olympic Movement, local authorities, sponsors, partners and distinguished sports leaders gathered for this milestone event.

Successful Fundraising Efforts

The event featured a special charity auction conducted by Piguet Auction House, with unique volleyball memorabilia generously donated by the FIVB and legends of the game. Featuring both online and live bidding, the auction raised an incredible CHF 59,000 for the Volleyball Foundation.

Reunion. Photo FIVB

This amount, along with CHF 300,000 from the FIVB, GBP 100,000 from the CVC Foundation, and generous contributions from IOC Member KhunyingPatama Leeswadtrakul and FIVB Board of Administration Member and Volleyball Australia President Craig Carracher, brought the total funds raised to CHF 559,000.

As announced by FIVB and Volleyball Foundation President Dr Ary S. Graça F°, the FIVB plans to allocate an annual budget of CHF 1 million for the Volleyball Foundation in 2025 and 2026, pending the approval of the FIVB World Congress later this year.  

FIVB and IOC Presidents welcome guests

The night began with a powerful speech from FIVB and Volleyball Foundation President Dr Ary S. Graça, welcoming guests and explaining how the Foundation will better connect and expand the global volleyball community of 800 million people across 222 countries.

“The Volleyball Foundation will play a vital role in promoting positive social values, helping to create a more collaborative and harmonious world,” stated the Volleyball Foundation President. “The Foundation is dedicated to creating a world where everyone has access to sport, no matter their gender, age, background or position. Where they have the opportunity to be healthy and active. To experience the joys of volleyball. And to learn important skills that will serve them throughout their lives.”

IOC President Thomas Bach. Photo FIVB

Meanwhile, International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach praised the initiative and thanked Dr Graça for his vision in launching the project. “Through this project, volleyball can really contribute to delivering the Olympic values and make the world a better place through sport,” he said. “The IOC already works closely with the FIVB with Olympafrica and the Olympic Refuge Foundation, and with this Foundation this excellent cooperation can be strengthened.”

Inspirational pilot projects take centre stage

During the evening, the Volleyball Foundation introduced two pilot projects: the Brahmaputra Volleyball League, a grassroots community league in Assam, India, involving over 10,000 children; and the Githurai Kimbo Volleyball Academy, which offers youth in one of Nairobi, Kenya’s most challenging slums a sanctuary through volleyball.

Diverse Volleyball Foundation Board and the Executive Director announced

The Volleyball Foundation’s independent Board was also introduced, featuring a diverse group of individuals dedicated to the Volleyball Foundation’s vision of a greater world through volleyball. 

The Board members include: 

  • Dr Ary S. Graça F°, President of the FIVB and Volleyball Foundation
  • Fabio Azevedo, General Director of the FIVB 
  • Alejandrina Mireya Luis, FIVB Executive Vice-President, and a three-time Olympic and two-time World champion 
  • Yuji Saeki, President & CEO of Mikasa, FIVB Board of Administration Member
  • Her Excellency Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, Vice Chairperson and CEO of Qatar Foundation 
  • Her Royal Highness Princess Ayah bint Faisal of Jordan, President of the Jordan Volleyball Federation and Jordan Olympic Committee Board Member
  • Nick Clarry, CVC Managing Partner 
  • And Charles Joye serving as the Secretary of the Board.
Elizaveta Bracht, a two-time Olympic volleyball silver medalist, has been named as the Executive Director of the Volleyball Foundation.

Supporters & Ambassadors celebrated

Key supporters of the Volleyball Foundation were also announced, including renowned organisations KITT & KISS, Mikasa, Decathlon, the Qatar Foundation, Generations for Peace and the Jordan Olympic Committee.

The Volleyball Foundation President Ary Graça with (from left to right) Her Royal Highness Princess Ayah bint Faisal of Jordan, Cecilia Tait, HRH Prince Feisal Al Hussein of Jordan. Photo FIVB

In recognition of its support, IOC Executive Board Member, Jordan Olympic Committee President and Generations For Peace Founder and Chair, HRH Prince Feisal Al Hussein of Jordan, took to the stage and said:

“In 2004, I went to the Olympic Games in Athens with a mantra: ‘peace is greater than gold.’ In 2007, to put this into practice, we founded Generations For Peace to use the power of sport to change divided communities for the better. What the Volleyball Foundation is doing is a continuation of this work, and that is why it is an honour and a pleasure to align ourselves with the Volleyball Foundation.

“The values of respect, friendship and cooperation are all lessons from sport. Volleyball is so well positioned because it has these values, alongside communication and coordination. These are key in transforming societies and communities that are suffering. As President Ary S. Graça said, together we can make a difference. And this Foundation will make a difference.”

Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF) President Francesco Ricci Bitti was also present at the event, and stated:

“As the President of ASOIF, I have had the privilege to work with the FIVB and Dr Ary S. Graça for five years. What he has done tonight through the Volleyball Foundation, is to create an organisation for the grassroots, social and community benefit, and this is very important. The Volleyball Foundation sets a model for others, and I wish it every success.”

The event also introduced ambassadors for the Volleyball Foundation, all of whom are true legends of the sport. These include Mireya Luis from Cuba, a three-time Olympic champion and two-time World Champion; Vlad Grbic from Serbia, an Olympic champion; and Giba from Brazil, an Olympic champion and three-time World Champion.

The FIVB Volleyball Foundation is also proud to announce that the official notary signing ceremony took place this week in Lausanne, Switzerland, marking the formal establishment of the organisation that will serve the world through volleyball.

For more information about the FIVB Volleyball Foundation and how to get involved, please visit https://volleyballfoundation.com/ and follow us on Instagram at @volleyball.foundation. 

FIVB Executive Committee Praises Organisation’s Success

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May 30, 2024.- The FIVB Executive Committee this week praised the incredible successes of the sport’s governing body during its meeting at the FIVB Headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland.

The Executive Committee congratulated FIVB President Dr Ary S. Graça F° and the professional team he has built on their outstanding contributions and for creating an exciting and lasting legacy for the sport during his mandate.

During the meeting, the FIVB President said:

“During my Presidency, all our actions have been guided by two key principles: Innovation and Opportunity! The FIVB has strived to innovate both on and off the court, while providing even more opportunities for our 222 National Federations, alongside our players, coaches, fans and valuable stakeholders.”

The members met to study the FIVB financial reports and the legal presentation, as well several other topics to make recommendations to the Board of Administration.

The FIVB Board of Administration meeting will get underway the same afternoon before continuing the next day.

Cayman Islands gets better of T&T for FIVB U19 Girls ticket

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BLACKROCK, Tobago, May 26, 2024.- Cayman Islands’ Joanna Robinson and Luna Ebanks emerged as champions of the Caribbean Zonal Volleyball Association (CAZOVA)/Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) FIVB World Championship Under-19 Beach Volleyball Qualifiers to qualify to the Worlds’ main draw with unbeaten 4-0 record at the end of their five-team round-robin series.

With only the winner of the round-robin series securing a direct ticket to the FIVB World Championship main draw and the second and third placed teams to the qualification draw.

Robinson/Ebanks and Trinidad and Tobago’s L’fe Roberts and Meeka Johnson began the final day of the qualifiers both with 2-0 win-loss records and the main contenders to the automatic main draw spot for the Worlds’ event in China from August 27 to September 1.

Roberts and Johnson then improved to 3-0 when they beat Jewel Austin and Marilyn Gill of Barbados 2-0 (21-12, 21-19) while Robinson and Ebanks did likewise courtesy their defeat of Celine Hankey and Makayla Mason of Grenada 2-0 (21-5, 21-8).

And in the penultimate match of the girl’s competition, Robinson and Ebanks overcame Roberts and Johnson in the winner-take-all clash 2-1 (21-9, 11-21, 15-9) to punch their tickets to the automatic main draw while T&T ended second with a 3-1 record to earn one of the two spots to the qualification draw in China.

Joining Cayman Islands and T&T on the trip to China will be Naya Whitfield and Davy-Ann Eduards of Aruba after they outplayed Hankey and Mason (GRN) 2-0 (21-11, 21-15) to finish with the same record as Barbados, but with a better points-won to points-loss ratio of 0.9178 to 0.8224 while Grenada ended winless from their four matches.

On Saturday, Robinson and Ebanks defeated Aruba 2-0 (21-9, 21-10) and Barbados 2-0 (21-9, 21-7) while the T&T duo, veterans of the Commonwealth Youths Games at the same venue last year beat Aruba 2-0 (21-16, 21-15) and Grenada 2-0 (21-10, 21-2).

St Lucia tops T&T for automatic FIVB Boys U19 World Beach spot

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BLACKROCK, TOBAGO, MAY 26, 2024.-   Rio Jaden Victor and Peter Emmanuel of St Lucia earned the lone automatic spot to the upcoming FIVB World Championship Under-19 Beach Volleyball Tournament.

This after the duo beat host Trinidad and Tobago’s Jerome Morrison, and Darion Sparks 2-0  in the Caribbean Zonal Volleyball Association (CAZOVA)/Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) FIVB World Championship Boys’ Under-19 Beach Volleyball Qualifiers final at the Courland Beach Sports Facility 21-19, 21-12 in 43 minutes to stun the host duo.

Earlier in the semifinals, Victor and Emmanuel swept past Jedediah Pencheon, and Julian Bristol of St Kitts/Nevis 2-0 (21-15, 21-7) and Morrison/Sparks battled past Dylan Lynee and William Duty of Cayman Islands 2-0 (21-18, 21-15).

When the two-day tournament resumed on Sunday morning following Saturday’s round-robin group stage and round-of-12 playoff matches, Victor and Emmanuel defeated Grenada’s Javon Charles and Kibose Hamilton 2-0 (21-9, 21-10) in their quarterfinal while Pencheon and Bristol rallied past Jamaal Key Jr and Raphael Kemp of Bahamas 2-1 (21-10, 20-22, 15-5); Lynee and Duty topped Kalen Applewhaite and Cael Greenidge of Barbados 2-0 (23-21, 21-14), and Ange Gaspard Volckaert and Lucas Berard of Martinique humbled Morrison and Sparks (2-1) 6-21, 21-17, 15-10.

However, due to Martinique being an affiliate on France they are not allowed to qualify for FIVB World Championship as a regional member country, which meant that T&T was then pitted against the next highest ranked team among the losing quarterfinalists, Bahamas for a second shot at making the semifinals, which T&T won 2-0 (21-6, 21-18).

Despite losing the final and the direct ticket to the FIVB World Championship main draw in China, T&T along with third placed finishers Pencheon and Bristol (who outlasted Lynee and Duty in their playoff 2-1 (17-21, 21-15,15-11) will still have a chance to qualify to the main draw after securing the two spots available to the qualification draw which also takes place in China from August 27 to September 1.

On Saturday, St Lucia, T&T, Cayman Islands, and St Kitts/Nevis all topped their respective round-robin pools to advance to the quarterfinals of the with perfect records.

Playing under overcast conditions which was to the players liking Morrison, who participated at the 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games at the same venue, and Sparks overcame British Virgins Islands’ Jason Dunkley Maduro and  Alexander 2-0 (21-6, 21-7), and Grenada 2-0 (21-5, 21-15) to finish with a 2-0 record in Group A while Grenada defeated British Virgin Islands 21-16, 21-1 for the runner-up spot to qualify to the last-eight

In Group B, St Lucia (LCA) also ended with a 2-0 record in group play courtesy of victories against Martinique 2-0 (215, 21-14), and Antigua and Barbuda’s 2-0 (21-6, 21-5)

Volckaert and Berard took the second spot in the pool after beating Antigua and Barbuda 2-0 (21-12, 21-6).

Group C comprised only two teams with St Kitts/Nevis beating Barbados 2-0 (22-20, 21-15) to advance to the quarterfinals while Cayman Islands won Group D after beating Bahamas 2-0 (21-16, 211-6).

And in the round-of-12 Bahamas got the better of British Virgin Islands 2-1 (21-19, 18-21, 15-12) and Barbados won 2-1 (13-21, 21-14, 17-15) against Antigua and Barbuda.

USA’s Kloth/Nuss secure Espinho Gold two months before Paris

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ESPINHO, Portugal, May 26, 2024.- Medal contenders for the upcoming Paris Olympics, USA’s Taryn Kloth/Kristen Nuss secured an important victory just two months before the start of the event, taking gold at the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Espinho Elite16 on Sunday.

The tournament held at the Praia da Baía was the fourth of seven Elite16 events set to happen before the start of the Games and had one of the strongest fields of the season, with almost all the top teams of international beach volleyball making the trip to Portugal.

USA Gold Medal

Kloth, 27, and Nuss, 26, got to celebrate their sixth gold on the Beach Pro Tour and their first in 2024 after taking silver earlier this month in Brasília with a dramatic 2-1 (17-21, 28-26, 15-10) victory over Swiss Nina Brunner and Tanja Hüberli in a match in which they had to avoid six match points from their opponents in the second set before triumphing in the tie-breaker.

“This is absolutely unreal,” Nuss told Volleyball World. “It was such a battle. I think we go to three every single time against that Swiss team, they’re phenomenal athletes. It was pretty fun to just battle in this wind. The stadium was packed for the finals and for us, athletes, it means a lot to play in this atmosphere.”

Nuss and Kloth USA celebrate Espinho gold medal

Espinho Elite16 – Final Results

From Espinho, the Beach Pro Tour heads to the Polish city of Stare Jablonki, which will host the second-to-last event in the Olympic qualification period, from May 30-June 2. The Challenge event will mark the return of international beach volleyball to the city for the first time since 2014.

The last event of the Olympic qualification period will be held in Ostrava, Czechia, from June 5-9, and will be an Elite16 tournament.

T&T, Cayman Islands stay unbeaten in Girls U-19 qualifiers

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BLACKROCK, Tobago, May 25, 2024.- The duo of host Trinidad and Tobago and Cayman Islands both ended the opening day of the Caribbean Zonal Volleyball Association (CAZOVA)/Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) FIVB World Championship Under-19 Beach Volleyball Qualifiers with unbeaten 2-0 records in the five-team round-robin series.

With only the winner of the round-robin series securing a direct ticket to the FIVB World Championship main draw and the second and third placed teams to the qualification draw all participating teams knew the important of a positive start in the two-day qualifying event with the aim of qualify to the grand tournament in China from August 27 to September 1.

And at the end of the first day of competition which was briefly interrupted by rain due to the passing of a Tropical Wave, host Trinidad and Tobago duo L’fe Roberts and Meeka Johnson, veterans of the Commonwealth Youths Games at the same venue last year also made an impressive start beating Arubans Nayah Whitfield and Davy-Ann  Eduards 2-0 (21-16, 21-15), followed by a similar 2-0 (21-10, 21-2) triumph against Grenada’s Celine Hankey and Makayla Mason.

Not to be overshadowed, Joanna Robinson and Luna Ebanks of Cayman Islands defeated Aruba 2-0 (21-9, 21-10) and Barbadians Jewel Austin and Marilyn Gill 2-0 (21-9, 21-7) to improve to a 2-0 mark as well from their first two matches.

Both Barbados and Aruba ended the day with 1-2 records after the latter won their duel 2-0 (21-19, 21-17) while Grenada is without a win.

On Sunday, Barbados has one match left to play against Trinidad and Tobago, while the latter also faces Cayman Islands who will meet Grenada in their other encounter as well. Grenada and Aruba also face off in the other match on the day, but with no chance of any team advancing.

Trinidad and Tobago

CAZOVA/ECVA FIVB World Championship Under-19 Beach Volleyball Qualifiers results:

Saturday:

Girls Under-19 results:

Joanna Robinson/Luna Ebanks (CAY) bt Naya Whitfield/Davy-Ann Eduards (ARU) 2-0 (21-9, 21-10)

Jewel Austin/Marilyn Gill (BAR) bt Celine Hankey/Makayla Mason (GRN) 2-0 (21-17, 21-9)

L’fe Roberts/Meeka Johnson (TTO) bt Naya Whitfield/Davy-Ann Eduards (ARU) 2-0 (21-16, 21-15)

Joanna  Robinson/Luna Ebanks (CAY) bt Jewel Austin/Marilyn Gill (BAR) 2-0 (21-9, 21-7)

L’fe Roberts/Meeka Johnson (TTO)  bt Celine Hankey/Makayla Mason (GRN) 2-0 (21-10, 21-2)

Naya Whitfield/Davy-Ann Eduards (ARU) vs Jewel Austin/Marilyn Gill (BAR) 2-0 (21-19, 21-17)

Sunday’s matches:

Jewel Austin/Marilyn Gill (BAR) vs L’fe Roberts/Meeka Johnson (TTO)

Celine Hankey/Makayla Mason (GRN) vs Joanna Robinson/Luna Ebanks (CAY)

L’fe Roberts/Meeka Johnson (TTO) vs Joanna Robinson/Luna Ebanks (CAY)

Celine Hankey/Makayla Mason (GRN) vs Naya Whitfield/Davy-Ann Eduards (ARU)

Female-Bulletin-1Download

It’s Live! FIVB Volleyball Foundation Auction Opens!

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May 24, 2024.- The Volleyball Foundation week-long charity auction is now live! Never-seen-before rare volleyball memorabilia up for grabs to support the Volleyball Foundation

Open to the world, lots can be viewed and bids placed at Piguet Auction House platforms

Incredible memorabilia available, from signed and match worn shirts to unique art originals and much more!

The Volleyball Foundation is thrilled to announce that its special charity auction, in partnership with the renowned Piguet Auction House, is now live. Lots up for grabs range from unique art originals to authentic, match worn and signed memorabilia from legends of the game and much more.

Volleyball fans and collectors around the world can now place their bids to claim exclusive volleyball memorabilia here. Hurry, as the auction is set to close on Thursday 30 May at 9 PM CEST.

With 16 lots available, the auction features a variety of fascinating and never-seen-before pieces, each as valuable as the next. Included are original paintings by Peter Spens of the Olympic Games Rio 2016 beach volleyball venue, various Olympic Games torches and team-signed Olympic volleyballs generously donated by the FIVB.

Additionally, legends of the game have contributed an exciting lineup of items, including: a plate signed by the entire Chinese women’s national team commemorating their Rio 2016 gold with a personal message from the renowned Hui Ruoqi, Mireya Luis’ match-worn bodysuit from the Sydney 2000 gold medal match, signed jerseys from current and former Brazilian national women’s team stars Gabi and Sheilla, respectively, Elizaveta Bracht-Tishchenko’s match-worn  Russian national team jersey from the Olympic Games Athens 2004 quarterfinal, Chinese volleyball player Feng Kun’s original uniform from the Olympic Games Athens 2004, where China won. and a pair of Giba’s unique trainers gifted to him after Brazil won three consecutive World Championship victories, among many other exclusive pieces. 

All proceeds will go to the Volleyball Foundation to support pioneering volleyball projects that contribute to the social well-being of communities.

Volleyball Foundation President Dr Ary S. Graça F° said: “We are incredibly grateful for the generous contributions from the FIVB and our volleyball legends and look forward to the positive impact these proceeds will make. We invite everyone to bid on these incredible items and thereby support the Volleyball Foundation’s mission to connect, serve and inspire global communities through volleyball to improve society.”

For the latest news on the Volleyball Foundation, be sure to follow us on Instagram.  

About the Volleyball Foundation

Launched in May 2024, the Volleyball Foundation uses the global reach and power of volleyball to support community projects worldwide that have a positive impact. By identifying pioneering projects from across the globe, the Foundation supports and provides funding and resources to advance certified projects that promote the social well-being of communities through volleyball.

CAZOVA & ECVA Beach U19 World Championships Qualification Tournaments

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BLACK ROCK, Tobago, May 23, 2024.- Following on the successful hosting of the volleyball competition at the Courland Beach Sports Facility in Black Rock, Tobago for the Commonwealth Youth Games in Tobago last year, the venue will once again take the spotlight where a Development Camp and the U19 World Championships Qualification event will be held.

Additionally, the Trinbago Beach Volleyball Tour (TBVT) hosted by the T&T Volleyball Federation (TTVF) serves off on at the same venue. The event will be held from the 23-26 May 2024.

The first two days of the four-day event will be dedicated to a development training camp for the young athletes and their coaches supported by Panam Sports.  This will be followed by the FIVB Caribbean Zonal Volleyball Association (CAZOVA) Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) Under-19 World Championship Zonal Qualifiers featuring teams from Aruba, Antigua & Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Grenada, Martinique, St Kitts/Nevis, St Lucia, Suriname and host Trinidad & Tobago.

The Trinbago Senior Open Championship, will be contested alongside the U19 Championships.

The development training Camp will be  conducted by Brazilian FIVB Instructor Augusto Sabbatini, and all National Coaches accompanying the teams will participate with their respective teams.

The winning team in each gender of the World Championship Qualifying U-19 Tournament, will secure their tickets to the main draw of the FIVB World Championship in China from August 27 to September 1 while the runners-up will qualify for the qualification draw of the FIVB World Championship in China August 27 to September 1.

Mushtaque Mohammed, President of the Caribbean Zonal Volleyball Association (CAZOVA), said it is a grand opportunity for all the participating countries in the Caribbean to win the grand prize of qualifying to the FIVB Under-19 Beach Volleyball World Championship later this year.

Mohammed added, “So, an Under-19 boys and girls team on Sunday (May 26) will win that opportunity to go to the World Championships and it is a first for the Caribbean and we are happy to facilitate these opportunities.”

A former T&T Volleyball Federation boss Mohammed was also full of praise for the merger between the two associations in the Caribbean coming together for the qualifiers, the ECVA and CAZOVA.

He said, “The merger of the two zones of the ECVA and CAZOVA provides another great opportunity because it’s one Caribbean. Playing together is a unique opportunity for all the countries and players to develop because the more the players compete together and against each other is the more likely they are to develop as players and teams.

Looking at the participating teams and players, Mohammed stated, “We have athletes here competing over the two days who are 14 years-old and this is an Under-19 FIVB World Qualification Tournament, so it means that in eight years time for the Brisbane Olympics in Australia that individual will be 22 years of age which is considered the peaking years to play your sport at the Olympics.

“And the ones who are already 18-years and competing in Tobago, the next two cycles they will be 26 which is even better for them at the Olympics, so the Under-19 category here is really outstanding.

In terms of the technical aspects of the game, Mohammed said, “We also have many coaches here who will be sharing their ideas together with the four international coaches that we have here, so they will all learn and benefit from each other in the preparation of athletes for higher level competitions.

“Overall, this is great start and a wonderful investment and hopefully, we can see at the end of this in eight to 12 years that some of the athletes who started here qualify for the Olympics, and that will be the crowning moment for us.”

Speaking on the eve of the competition, T&TVF President, Daymian Stewart said, “I’m very happy and pleased to see the progress that we are making and the Trinbago Tour in terms of the milestones and markers that we had set ourselves in our strategic plan for 2032.

“This is our second season of the Trinbago Tour and we would have learnt a lot from our first season in 2023 and now for the start of the second season with the combined ECVA and CAZOVA teams competing in the FIVB Under-19 World Beach Volleyball Championship Qualifiers we are delighted.”

Looking ahead for the two-day FIVB Under-19 Qualifiers, Stewart noted that 10 countries have confirmed participation for the chance to qualify one team in the men and women categories to the FIVB World Championship.

“So, it’s really a big tournament and at the same time we are very thankful for the sponsors and of the Tobago House of Assembly and the other sponsors and we also want to implore that corporate T&T also get on board.”

Molly Shaw & Chloe Loreen from the United States Win Gold in NORCECA Finals

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JUAN DOLIO, Dominican Republic, May 14, 2024 .- The duo of Molly Shaw/Chloe Loreen from the United States defeated Canadians Sara Pavan/Molly McBain 2-0 (21-14, 21-14), clinching the gold medal in the 2024 NORCECA Continental Beach Volleyball Tour Finals played at Juan Dolio Beach in the Dominican Republic.

Molly and Chloe advanced to the title match after defeating Mexicans Susana Torres and Atenas Gutiérrez 2-0 (21-14, 21-19) in semifinals, while Pavan and McBain overcame Julibeht Payano and Crismil Paniagua from the Dominican Republic 2-0 (21-10, 21-12).

Canada 2nd place

Pavan and McBain also won silver in the 2023 Finals, against another U.S. duo (Megan Kraft/Teresse Cannon). 

Mexicans Susana Torres and Atenas Gutiérrez secured the bronze medal over Dominicans Julibeth Payano/Crismil Paniagua 2-0 (21-18, 21-16).

Mexico 3th place

Fifth place went to Amanda Armenteros/Maikelyn Drik from Cuba, who prevailed over Allanis Navas/María González from Puerto Rico due to an injury. Seventh place belonged to Socorro López/Lolette Rodríguez from Nicaragua, who defeated Danna Aguilar/Paola Alvarado from Guatemala 2-0 (21-15, 21-17).

Ninth place went to Cristina Almeida-Anz/Taylor Buckner from the U.S. Virgin Islands after defeating Costa Ricans Kianny Quesada/Laura Molina 2-0 (21-19, 21-18).

Daniel Vigil/Karla Tovar from El Salvador claimed the 11th position by defeating Thornia Mitchell/Renisha Stafford from Grenada 2-0 (21-11, 21-10), while Heather Thompson/Maryn McCoombs from the Cayman Islands finished in thirteenth place, winning their match against Ketura Heymans/Simone Elizee from Suriname 2-0 (21-10, 21-5).

The 15th position was won by Saint Vincent with Shanadia Sylvester/Nikita Campbell defeating Nyota Peters/Dana Regis (ANT) 2-0 (23-21, 21-10).

Other results of the day were:

Armenteros/Drik (CUB) d López/Rodríguez (NCA) 2-1 (13-21, 22-20, 17-15); Navas/González (PUR) d Aguilar/Alvarado (GUA) 2-0 (21-10, 21-6); Pavan/McBain (CAN) d Payano/Paniagua (DOM) 2-0 (21-10, 21-12); Shaw/Loreen (USA) d Gutierrez/Torres (MEX) 2-0 (21-14, 21-19).

USA’s Evans/Budinger Win Gold in NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour Final

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JUAN DOLIO, Dominican Republic, May 14, 2024. – The United States’ duo of Miles Evans and Chase Budinger defeated Canadians Samuel Schachter and Daniel Dearing 2-0 (21-18, 21-19), to claim the top honors in the 2024 NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour Final at the sand courts of Juan Dolio beach.

In the semifinals, Evans/Budinger overcame Jorge Alayo and Noslen Díaz from Cuba 2-0 (21-9, 21-17); while Schachter/Dearing bounced back from losing the first set against Miguel Sarabia and Gabriel Cruz from Mexico 2-1 (18-21, 21-18, 15-7).

Canada 2nd place

This was the third occasion that Canadians Sam and Dan competed in a Continental NORCECA Tour Final; they won the first Continental Final in 2022 against Cubans Alayo/Díaz, and last year, they took home the silver medal against the same Cuban duo.

Cubans Jorge Alayo and Noslen Díaz didn’t leave empty-handed and secured the bronze medal after defeating Mexicans Miguel Sarabia and Gabriel Cruz 2-0 (21-13, 21-14).

Cuba 3th place

Fifth place went to William Rivera/Arnaldo Torres from Puerto Rico, who defeated Tyler Penberthy/Bryce Mayer from the U.S. Virgin Islands 2-0 (21-19, 21-19), while seventh place went to Nicaraguans Rubén Mora/Dany López, who prevailed over Christopher and Yoel Guardado from El Salvador 2-0 (21-14, 21-13).

In ninth place were Dominicans Hayerling De Jesús/Oscar Martínez after defeating Daniel Dyner/Jhostin Varela from Costa Rica 2-0 (21-17, 23-21). Joshua Dwarkasing/Ethan Asimia from Suriname took eleventh place, winning against José Izaguirre/Luis García from Guatemala 2-1 (15-21, 21-12, 15-9).

Jamaar Cropper/Ronaldo Franklyn (VIN) finished thirteenth, overcoming Clerique Ward/Nage Hendrickson (SKN) 2-0 (21-17, 21-12), while Eddy Toro/Joshua Winklaar (ARU) reached fifteenth place winning against Declan Van Dam/Stephen Watson (CAY) 2-1 (19-21, 21-16, 15-9).

Other results of the day were:

Rivera/Torres (PUR) d Christopher Guardado/Yoel Guardado (ESA) 2-0 (21-16, 21-15) and Penberthy/Mayer (ISV) d Rubén Mora/Dany López (NCA) 2-0 (21-7,21-10); Samuel Schachter/Daniel Dearing (CAN) d Sarabia/Cruz (MEX) 2-1 (18-21, 21-18, 15-7) and Miles Evans/Chase Budinger (USA) d Alayo/Díaz (CUB) 2-0 (21-9, 21-17).

United States, Mexico, Canada, and the Dominican Republic in Women’s Semifinals

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JUAN DOLIO, Dominican Republic, May 13, 2024 – The women’s teams from the United States, Mexico, Canada, and the Dominican Republic reached the semifinals of the tournament that will determine the winner of the 2024 NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour Continental Final.

Molly Shaw/Chloe Loreen from the United States defeated Guatemala’s Danna Aguilar/Paola Alvarado 2-0 (21-8, 21-4) in quarterfinals, while Atenas Gutierrez/Susana Torres from Mexico advanced after overcoming Puerto Ricans Allanis Navas/María González, recovering from losing the first set 2-1 (14-21, 21-19, 15-12).

Unites States

The other two pairs that advanced were Canada’s Sarah Pavan/Molly McBain, who dominated Cubans Amanda Armenteros/Maykelin Drik 2-0 (21-12, 21-10), while Dominicans Julibeth Payano/Crismil Paniagua secured their spot after defeating Nicaragua’s Socorro López/Lolette Rodríguez in three sets with a score of 2-1 (21-15, 18-21, 15-12).

In semifinals, Payano/Paniagua (DOM) will face Pavan/McBain (CAN) and Torres/Guttierrez (MEX) go up against Shaw/Loreen (USA).

Sarah Pavan CAN

The semifinals and position matches will be held on Tuesday morning, while the event concludes in the afternoon with the bronze medal match and the grand finale.

Other results of the day were:

Julibeth Payano/Crismil Paniagua (DOM) d Danna Aguilar/Paola Alvarado (GUA) 2-0 (21-16, 21-11); Daniel Vigil/Karla Tovar (ESA) d Nyota Peters/Dana Regis (ANT) 2-0 (21-7, 21-5); Molly Shaw/Chloe Loreen (USA) d Socorro López/Lolette Rodríguez (NCA) 2-0 (21-8, 21-6); Thornia Mitchell/Renisha Stafford (GRN) d Shanadia Sylvester/Nikita Campbell (VIN) 2-0 (21-10, 21-18); Atenas Gutierrez/Susana Torres (MEX) d Kianny Quesada/Laura Molina (CRC) 2-0 (21-10, 21-8); Amanda Armenteros/Maykelin Drik (CUB) d Ketura Heymans/Simone Elizee (SUR) 2-0 (21-5, 21-7); Sarah Pavan/Molly McBain (CAN) d Allanis Navas/María González (PUR) 2-0 (21-11, 21-16); Cristina Almeida-Anz/Taylor Buckner (ISV) d Heather Thompson/Maryn McCoombs (CAY) 2-1 (21-9, 20-22, 15-9); Ketura Heymans/Simone Elizee (SUR) d Shanadia Sylvester/Nikita Campbell (VIN) 2-1 (21-15,11-21, 15-7); Heather Thompson/Maryn McCoombs (CAY) d Nyota Peters/Dana Regis (ANT) 2-0 (21-7, 21-7); Cristina Almeida-Anz/Taylor Buckner (ISV) d Daniel Vigil/Karla Tovar (ESA) 2-0 (23-21, 21-10) and Kianny Quesada/Laura Molina (CRC) d Thornia Mitchell/Renisha Stafford (GRN) 2 -0 (21-14, 21-12).

Cuba, United States, Mexico, and Canada in Men’s Semifinals of the NORCECA Tour Final

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JUAN DOLIO, Dominican Republic, May 13, 2024. – The tandems from Cuba, the United States, Mexico, and Canada advanced to the semifinals of the  NORCECA Continental Beach Volleyball Tour Finals being played in Juan Dolio, Dominican Republic.

Cuba’s pair of Jorge Alayo/Noslen Díaz defeated Tyler Penberthy/Bryce Mayer from the U.S. Virgin Islands in their quarterfinal match with a score of 2-0 (21-14, 21-12), while Miles Evans/Chase Budinger from the United States advanced prevailing over Nicaraguans Rubén Mora/Dany López 2-0 (21-12, 21-12).

Mexico’s Miguel Sarabia/Gabriel Cruz secured their spot in the semifinal by defeating Puerto Ricans William Rivera/Arnaldo Torres 2-0 (21-17, 21-17), while Canada’s Samuel Schachter/Daniel Dearing earned their ticket by defeating El Salvador’s twins Christopher and Yoel Guardado 2-0 (21-7, 21-18).

The competition continues on Tuesday morning with the semifinals of Evans/Budinger (USA) against Alayo/Diaz (CUB) and Schachter/Dearing (CAN) facing Sarabia/Cruz (MEX), as well as position matches, followed by the matches for the bronze medal and the grand finale.

Other results of the day were:

Tyler Penberthy/Bryce Mayer (ISV) d Hayerling De Jesús/Oscar Martínez (DOM) 2-1 (21-13, 17-21, 17-15); Samuel Schachter/Daniel Dearing (CAN) d Eddy Toro/Joshua Winklaar (ARU) 2-0 (21-13, 21-12); Jorge Alayo/Noslen Díaz (CUB) d Christopher Guardado/Joel Guardado (ESA) 2-0 (21-11, 21-16); José Izaguirre/Luis García (GUA) d Declan Van Dam/Stephen Watson (CAY) 2-0 (21-16, 21-16); Miles Evans/Chase Budinger d Miguel Sarabia/Gabriel Cruz (MEX) 2-0 (21-13, 21-17); Daniel Dyner/Jhostin Varela (CRC) d Jamaar Cropper/Ronaldo Franklyn (VIN) 2-0 (21-12, 21-13); William Rivera/Arnaldo Torres (PUR) d Rubén Mora/Dany López (NCA) 2-1 (18-21, 21-16, 16-14); Joshua Dwarkasing/Ethan Asimia (SUR) d Clerique Ward/Nage Hendrickson (SKN) 2-1 (17-21, 21-11, 15-12); Jamaar Cropper/Ronaldo Franklyn (VIN) d Declan Van Dam/Stephen Watson (CAY) 2-0 (21-9, 21-6); Clerique Ward/Nage Hendrickson (SKN) d Eddy Toro/Joshua Winklaar (ARU) 2-0 (21-16, 21-14); Hayerling De Jesús/Oscar Martínez (DOM) d Joshua Dwarkasing/Ethan Asimia (SUR) 2-0 (21-5, 21-15) and Daniel Dyner/Jhostin Varela (CRC) d José Izaguirre/Luis García (GUA) 2- 0 (21-13, 26-24).

Seven female pairs win both their matches on Day 1 of the NORCECA Tour Finals

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JUAN DOLIO, Dominican Republic, May 12, 2024. – Seven female pairs started the NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour Finals without losses on the first day at the Juan Dolio beach sand courts in the Dominican Republic.

In Pool A, Dominicans Julibeth Payano and Crismil Paniagua defeated Nyota Peters/Dana Regis of Antigua & Barbuda 2-0 (21-8, 21-2) and also Daniel Vigil/Karla Tovar of El Salvador 2-0 (21-18, 21-11); meanwhile, Guatemala’s Danna Aguilar/Paola Alvarado beat Peters/Regis (ANT) 2-0 (21-9, 21-13) and also Vigil/Tovar (ESA) 2-0 (21-9, 21-15).

In Pool B, Molly Shaw/Chloe Loreen from the United States overcame Thornia Mitchell/Renisha Stafford from Grenada 2-0 (21-6, 21-6) and the duo of Shanadia Sylvester/Nikita Campbell from Saint Vincent 2-0 (21-5, 21-5).

NIcaragua

Also in Pool B, the Nicaraguan pair of Socorro López/Lolette Rodríguez defeated Sylvester/Campbell (VIN) 2-0 (21-6, 21-5) and Mitchell/Stafford from Grenada 2-0 (21-8, 21-11).

In Pool C, Atenas Gutierrez/Susana Torres from Mexico defeated Ketura Heymans/Simone Elizee from Suriname 2-0 (21-3, 21-3) and Cubans Amanda Armenteros/Maykelin Drik 2-1 (21-17, 28-30, 15-11), while Kianny Quesada/Laura Molina from Costa Rica beat Heymans/Elizee (SUR) 2-0 (21-6, 21-3) but fell to Armenteros/Drik (CUB) 2-0 (21-16, 21-9).

In Pool D, Allanis Navas/María González from Puerto Rico emerged victorious against Heather Thompson/Maryn McCoombs from the Cayman Islands 2-0 (21-6, 21-7) and prevailed against Cristina Almeida-Anz/Taylor Buckner from the U.S. Virgin Islands 2-0 (21-16, 21-9), while Canada’s Sarah Pavan/Molly McBain defeated Almeida-Anz/Buckner 2-0 (21-11, 21-8) and the duo of Thompson/McCoombs (CAY) 2-0 (21-5, 21-6).

On Monday, the remaining group stage matches continue, followed by the Quarterfinals and the losers’ round.

Alayo and Díaz begin the Final undefeated focused on their Olympic qualification

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JUAN DOLIO, Dominican Republic, May 12, 2024.- Cubans Jorge Alayo and Noslen Díaz began their participation undefeated in the NORCECA Beach Volleyball Continental Tour Finals being held on the beach of Juan Dolio, Dominican Republic .

Alayo and Díaz, champions of the 2023 Finals, seek to continue accumulating the points they need to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

In addition to Cuba, five more teams came out without defeats on the first day of competition.

Cuba

In Pool B, Alayo and Diaz easily defeated Declan Van Dam/Stephen Watson of Cayman Islands 2-0 (21-6, 21-1) and in their second match outing they beat Guatemalans José Izaguirre/Luis García 2 -0 (21-5, 21-16).

Twin brothers Christopher and Yoel Guardado of El Salvador defeated Izaguirre/ García (GUA) 2-0 (21-15, 21-11) and Van Dam/ Watson (CAY ) 2-0 (21-18, 21-6).

In Pool C, Miguel Sarabia/Gabriel Cruz of Mexico beat Daniel Dyner/Jhostin Varela of Costa Rica 2-0 (21-14, 21-16) and Jamaar Cropper/Ronaldo Franklyn of St. Vincent 2-0 (21- 12, 21-9), while USA’s Miles Evans/Chase budinger defeated Cropper/ Franklyn (VIN) 2-0 (21-13, 21-9) and Dyner/ Varela ( CRC) 2-1 (21-15, 18-21, 15-6).

Mexico

In Pool D, Nicaragua’s Rubén Mora/Dany López defeated Clerique Ward/Nage Hendrickson of St. Kitts & Nevis 2-0 (21-13, 21-7) and Joshua Dwarkasing/Ethan Asimia of Suriname 2-0 (21-10, 21-16), while Puerto Ricans William Rivera/Arnaldo Torres beat Dwarkasing/ Asimia (SUR) 2-0 (21-17, 21-15) and the duo of Ward/ Hendrickson (SKN) 2 -0 (21-10, 21-11).

In Pool A the only one without defeats was Canada with Samuel Schachter/Daniel Dearing who beat Tyler Penberthy/Bryce Mayer the U.S. Virgin Islands 2-0 (21-5, 21-10) and Dominicans Hayerling De Jesús/Oscar Martínez 2- 0 (21-14, 21-16), who only won their first match against Eddy Toro/Joshua Winklaar of Aruba  2-0 (21-11, 21-10).

Also in Pool A, Penberthy/ Mayer (ISV) beat Toro/ Winklaar (ARU) 2-0 (21-8, 21-6).

Pool-play continues on Monday, the Quarterfinals and the losers’ round.

Juan Dolio will host the Final of the NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour 2024

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JUAN DOLIO, Dominican Republic, May 11, 2024.- The Final of the NORCECA Continental Beach Volleyball Tour 2024 will take place on the sand courts installed on Juan Dolio beach in the Dominican Republic.

In the preliminary meeting held this Saturday, 16 men’s and 16 women’s teams from 18 countries confirmed their participation in search of advancing from the preliminary group round that begins this Sunday at 8 am (local time).

For the first day of competition there are 32 matches scheduled, 16 in each branch, on Monday morning the preliminary round will be concluded and in the afternoon the Quarterfinals and the losers’ round will be played, while on Tuesday morning the Semifinals and position matches will be played and in the afternoon the bronze medal matches and the Final.

Men’s teams: DOM Hayerling De Jesús/Oscar Martínez; CUB Jorge Luis Alayo/Noslen Díaz; USA Evans Miles/Budinger Chase; PUR William Rivera/Arnaldo Torres; NCA Rubén Mora/Dany López; MEX Miguel Sarabia/Gabriel Cruz; ESA Franklin Flores/Armando Guatemala; ISV Robert Cronshaw/Bryce Mayer; CAN Samuel Schachter/Daniel Dearing; GUA José Izaguirre/Luis García; CRC Daniel Dyner/Jhostin Varela; SKN Clerique Ward/Nage Hendrickson; SOUTH Joshua Dwarkasing/Ethan Asimia; VIN Jamaar Cropper/Ronaldo Franklyn; ARU Eddy Toro/Joshua Winklaar; CAY Declan Van Dam/Stephen Watson.

Women’s teams: DOM Julibeth Payano/Crismil Paniagua; USA Molly Shaw/Chloe Loreen; MEX Atenas Gutierrez/Susana Torres; PUR Allanis Navas/María González; CAN Sarah Pavan/Molly McBain; CRC Kianny Quesada/Laura Molina; NCA Socorro López/Lolette Rodríguez; GUA Danna Aguilar/Paola Alvarado; ESA Daniel Vigil/Karla Tovar; VIN Shanadia Sylvester/Nikita Campbell; CUB Amanda Armenteros/Maykelin Drik; ISV Cristina Almeida-Anz/Melanie Valenciana; CAY Heather Thompson/Maryn McCoombs; SOUTH Ketura Heymans/Simone Elizee; GRN Thornia Mitchell/Renisha Stafford; ANT Nyota Peters/Dana Regis.

North, Central Volleyball Zone Meeting Sets Stage for Strategic Collaboration

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PONCE, Puerto Rico, May 11, 2024.- The North, Central Volleyball Zonal Association  NCVA  convened for its general assembly  on Friday at Ponce, Puerto Rico, emphasizing important actions towards fortifying regional volleyball dynamics.

The assembly had the attendance of all its National Federation affiliates, Volleyball Canada, represented by Mark Eckert, USA Volleyball represented by Jamie Davis, the Mexican Volleyball Federation, FMVB represented by its President, Jesús Perales Navarro, the Cuban Volleyball Federation, FCV, represented by its President, Ariel Sainz Rodriguez, the Dominican Volleyball Federation, FEDOVOLI, represented by its 1st Executive Vice President, Cristobal Marte Hoffiz, and the Puerto Rican Volleyball Federation, FPV, represented by its President, Dr. Cesar Trabanco, and the NORCECA General Director, Arateide Caceres Hernandez.

Cristobal Marte Hoffiz had an active participation, presenting important information about NORCECA NCVA Zonal Championships as well as age-group tournaments, and the distribution of Mikasa Volleyball Equipment.

All representatives deliberated on pivotal agenda points vital to the advancement and cohesion of volleyball in the zone.

Mark Eckert of Canada was unanimously reelected  Zonal President and will serve for a new four term period (2024-2028).

The participants engaged in constructive dialogue to streamline the allocation of world ranking points, a crucial aspect influencing team placements and competitive dynamics within the zone and on the global stage.

Calendars were meticulously reviewed to harmonize schedules for both indoor volleyball and beach volleyball events, fostering enhanced coordination and collaboration across tournaments, and ensuring optimal player participation and fan engagement.

A general overview of the 2024 NORCECA Congress was discussed, focusing on strategic initiatives to maximize the NORCECA Confederation as a whole, with a collective focus on advocating for the region’s interests and leveraging opportunities for growth and the level of competition.

Representatives from each member nation, confirmed their commitment to fostering collaboration and innovation underscores the shared vision of advancing the North, Central Volleyball Zone as a powerhouse in the global volleyball arena.

Commenting on the outcomes of the meeting, Cristobal Marte remarked, “this gathering shows the spirit of unity and collaboration that defines our zone. By aligning our efforts and forging strategic partnerships, we are poised to elevate the caliber of volleyball excellence across North and Central America, and the Caribbean, thereby reinforcing our collective impact on the global stage.”

The North, Central Volleyball Zone looks forward to leveraging the momentum generated by this meeting to propel the region towards new heights of success and excellence.

Harward and De Berg take top honors in Juan Dolio

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JUAN DOLIO, Dominican Republic, May 10, 2024.- Americans Haley Harward and Kylie De Berg defeated the Mexican duo Susana Torres/Atenas Gutierrez 2-0 (21-16, 21-19) to be crowned champions of the third stage of the NORCECA Continental Beach Volleyball Tour 2024 that took place on Juan Dolio beach, Dominican Republic.

Harward and De Berg, who won bronze at the second stage in Varadero, achieve their second gold medal in this year’s Beach Tour as they had previously claimed gold in the opening stage on Güibia´s beach in Santo Domingo.

Mexico

The bronze medal was won by Puerto Rico with Allanis Navas/María González who defeated Dominicans Julibeth Payano/Crismil Paniagua 2-0 (21-14, 21-11).

Puerto Rico

Fifth place was occupied by Lea Monkhouse/Maria-Alex Belanger of Canada who defeated Kianny Quesada/Laura Molina of Costa Rica 2-1 (21-17, 19-21, 15-9).

Seventh place were Socorro López/Lolette Rodríguez of Nicaragua who beat  Danna Aguilar/Paola Alvarado of Guatemala 2-0 (21-18, 21-12), while in ninth place were Dominicanas Nallelyn Taveras/Darlenys Olivo who defeated Salvadorans Karla Tovar /Daniela Vigil (ESA) 2-0 (21-9, 26-24).

Eleventh place went to Shanadia Sylvester/Nikita Campbell of St. Vincent who beat Cubans Maykelin Drik/Amanda Armenteros due to injury, while Cristina Almeida-Anz/Taylor Buckner of the U.S. Virgin Islands finished in thirteenth place after beating Heather Thompson/ Maryn McCoombs of the Cayman Islands 2-0 (21-12, 21-14).

In fifteenth position was the duo of Ketura Heymans/Simone Elizee of Suriname.

The other results of the day were:

Kianny Quesada/Laura Molina (CRC) d Danna Aguilar/Paola Alvarado (GUA) 2-0 (21-15, 21-16); Lea Monkhouse/Maria-Alex Belanger (CAN) d Socorro López/Lolette Rodríguez (NCA) 2-0 (21-9, 21-17); Susana Torres/Atenas Gutierrez (MEX) d Julibeth Payano/Crismil Paniagua (DOM) 2-0 (21-15, 21-13) and Haley Harward/Kylie De Berg (USA) d Allanis Navas/María González (PUR) 2- 0 (21-11, 21-12).

Cuba Men Win Gold in 3rd stage of the NORCECA Beach Tour in Juan Dolio

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JUAN DOLIO, Dominican Republic, May 10, 2024.- After losing the first set, the Cuban duo of Jorge Alayo and Noslen Díaz knew how to recover to beat Evan Cory and Robert Harrison of the United States 2-1 (16-21, 21-17, 15-10) to win the gold medal in the third stage of the 2024 NORCECA Continental Beach Volleyball Tour on the sand courts of Juan Dolio´s beach, Dominican Republic.

The bronze medal was won by Puerto Ricans William Rivera/Arnaldo Torres after defeating Hayerling De Jesús and Oscar Martínez from the Dominican Republic 2-0 (21-18, 21-10).

Fifth place went to Rubén Mora/Dany López from Nicaragua who beat Mexicans Miguel Sarabia/Gabriel Cruz 2-1 (16-21, 21-6, 15-0), while in seventh came Christopher Guardado/ Yoel Guardado of El Salvador after beating Kendall Ratter/Marc Lomeli the U.S. Virgin Islands 2-0 (21-15, 21-9).

Awards

Robert Kemp/Arran Chambers of Canada were in ninth place after beating Edgar Guatemala’s Maldonado/Luis García 2-0 (21-15, 21-14).

Eleventh place was occupied by Daniel Dyner/Jhostin Varela of Costa Rica who defeated Clerique Ward/Nage Hendrickson of St. Kitts & Nevis 2-0 (21-15, 21-13), while 13th place went to the Dominican duo of Rolvin Maldonado/Alexander Wilmore beating Ethan Asimia/Joshua Dwarkasing of Suriname 2-1 (14-21, 21-15, 15-7).

Jamaar Cropper/Ronaldo Franklyn (VIN) finished in 15th position, beating Dan Van Dam/Stephen Watson (CAY) 2-0 (21-18, 21-18).

The other results of the day were:

Rubén Mora/Dany López (NCA) d Kendall Ratter/Marc Lomeli (ISV) 2-0 (21-14, 21-15); Miguel Sarabia/Gabriel Cruz (MEX) d Christopher Guardado/Yoel Guardado (ESA) 2-0 (21-18, 21-8); Evan Cory/Robert Harrison (USA) d William Rivera/Arnaldo Torres (PUR) 2-0 (23-21, 21-14) and Jorge Alayo/Noslen Díaz (CUB) d Hayerling De Jesús/Oscar Martínez (DOM) 2- 0 (21-6, 21-15).

Dominican Republic, United States, Mexico and Puerto Rico advance to the women’s semifinals in Juan Dolio

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JUAN DOLIO, Dominican Republic, May 9, 2024.- The women’s pairs from the Dominican Republic, the United States, Mexico and Puerto Rico won the right to compete in the Semifinals of the third stage of the NORCECA Continental Beach Volleyball Tour 2024 that is taking place at the Juan Dolio Beach, Dominican Republic.

Dominicans Julibeth Payano and Crismil Paniagua had to battle hard in their Quarterfinal match to overcome the Costa Ricans Kianny Quesada and Laura Molina 2-1 (19-21, 21-19, 19-17) to achieve their place in the semifinal.

United State

The American pair of Haley Hardward/Kylie De Berg also advanced after defeating Socorro López/Lolette Rodríguez (NCA) 2-0 (21-9, 21-9).

The Mexican duo of Susana Torres/Atenas Gutiérrez moved forward after defeating the Guatemalan team of Danna Aguilar/Paola Alvarado 2-0 (21-7, 21-9), as well as Allanis Navas/María González from Puerto Rico who defeated the Canadian duo of Lea Monkhouse/María-Alex Belanger 2-0 (21-14, 21-17).

Mexico celebrate

In the semifinals, Navas/González (PUR), who have won silver in the previous two stages, will face Americans Hardward/De Berg, who won gold in Güibia and bronze in Varadero, while Payano/Paniagua (DOM) will take on the Mexican team of Torres/Gutierrez.

Position matches will be held on Friday morning as well as the semifinals, and the medal matches will be in the afternoon.

The other results of the day were:

Julibeth Payano/Crismil Paniagua (DOM) d Socorro López/Lolette Rodríguez (NCA) 2-1 (4-21, 21-10, 15-9); Kianny Quesada/Laura Molina (CRC) d Nallelyn Taveras/Darlenys Olivo (DOM) 2-0 (21-18, 25-23); Haley Hardward/Kylie De Berg (USA) d Cristina Almeida-Anz/Taylor Buckner (ISV) 2-0 (21-11, 21-8); Allanis Navas/María González (PUR) d Danna Aguilar/Paola Alvarado (GUA) 2-0 (21-7, 21-14); Shanadia Sylvester/Nikita Campbell (VIN) d Ketura Heymans/Simone Elizee (SUR) 2-1 (21-17,17-21, 15-11) y Susana Torres/Atenas Gutierrez (MEX) d Heather Thompson/Maryn McCoombs (CAY) (21-10, 21-7); Cristina Almeida-Anz/Taylor Buckner (ISV) d Ketura Heymans/Simone Elizee (SUR) 2-0 (21-10, 21-6) y Nallelyn Taveras/Darlenys Olivo (DOM) d Shanadia Sylvester/Nikita Campbell (VIN) 2-0 (21-12, 21-6).

Men’s teams from the United States, Dominican Republic, Cuba and Puerto Rico are in the Semifinals in Juan Dolio

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JUAN DOLIO, Dominican Republic, May 9, 2024.- The men’s teams of the United States, Dominican Republic, Cuba and Puerto Rico were placed in the semifinals of the third stop of the NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour 2024 that takes place in the sand courts of Juan Dolio, Dominican Republic.

Americans Evan Cory/Robert Harrison advanced to the semifinals after beating the pair of Rubén Mora/Dany López (NCA) 2-0 (21-15, 21-12), while the Dominican pair of  Hayerling De Jesús/ Oscar Martínez won their ticket after defeating twin brothers Christopher and Yoel Guardado from El Salvador in an electrifying match that went to the maximum of three sets 2-1 (24-26, 21-18, 15-10).

Dominican Republic defense

The other tandems that advanced were Jorge Alayo/Noslen Díaz (CUB) who defeated Miguel Sarabia/Gabriel Cruz (MEX) 2-0 (21-16, 21-17) and the one formed by William Rivera/Arnaldo Torres de Puerto Rico who defeated Kendall Ratter/Marc Lomeli of the U.S. Virgin Islands with a score of 2-0 (21-17, 21-11).

In Friday’s semifinals Cory/Harrison (USA), winners of the gold medal in the first stop and bronze in the second stop, will face William Rivera/Arnaldo Torres (PUR), while Dominicans De Jesús/Martínez will battle against Cubans Alayo/Díaz who come from winning silver in Varadero.

Canada vs Surinam

The competition continues this Friday morning with the position matches and the semifinals, while the bronze medal match and the final will be held in the afternoon.

The other results of the day were:

Hayerling De Jesús/Oscar Martínez (DOM) d Dany Dyner/Jhostin Varela (CRC) 2-1 (14-21, 21-18, 15-10); Rubén Mora/Dany López (NCA) d Jamaar Cropper/Ronaldo Franklyn (VIN) 2-0 (21-13, 21-9); Edgar Maldonado/Luis García (GUA) d Rolvin Maldonado/Alexander Wilmore (DOM) 2-0 (21-19, 21-17); Jorge Alayo/Noslen Díaz (CUB) d Kendall Ratter/Marc Lomeli (ISV) 2-0 (21-9, 21-13); Clerique Ward/Nage Hendrickson (SKN) d Dany Van Dam/Stephen Watson (CAY) 2-0 (21-19, 21-15); William Rivera/Arnaldo Torres (PUR) d Robert Kemp/Arran Chambers (CAN) 2-0 (21-9, 21-19); Miguel Sarabia/Gabriel Cruz (MEX) d Ethan Asimia/Joshua Dwarkasing (SUR) 2-0 (21-12, 21-13); Rolvin Maldonado/Alexander Wilmore (DOM) d Jamaar Cropper/Ronaldo Franklyn (VIN) 2-0 (21-13, 21-18); Robert Kemp/Arran Chambers (CAN) d Dany Dyner/Jhostin Varela (CRC) 2-0 (21-14, 22-20); Edgar Maldonado/Luis García (GUA) d Clerique Ward/Nage Hendrickson (SKN) 2-0 (21-10, 21-19) and Ethan Asimia/Joshua Dwarkasing (SUR) d Jamaar Cropper/Ronaldo Franklyn (VIN) 2-0 (21-19, 21-18).

Navas and Rodríguez start the Juan Dolio NORCECA Tour with the right foot

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JUAN DOLIO, Dominican Republic, May 8, 2024.- Puerto Ricans Allanis Navas and María Rodríguez ended the first day of competition with two victories without defeats, seeking to climb to the top of the podium for the first time this year in the 2024 NORCECA Beach Volleyball Continental Tour.

Navas/Rodríguez (PUR) won their first match against Shanadia Sylvester/Nikita Campbell (VIN) 2-0 (21-7, 21-5) in pool C, and their second victory was against KeturaHeymans/Simone Elizee from Suriname 2-0 (21-3, 21-3).

Five other teams also went undefeated during the day.

Americans Haley Hardward/Kylie Kuyava-De Berg, who won bronze last week in Varadero, defeated Nallelyn Taveras/Darlenys Olivo (DOM) 2-0 (21-13, 21-8) and Laura Molina/Kianny Quesada from Costa Rica 2-0 (21-12, 21-11) in pool B.

Haily Harward of United States

In group C, Danna Aguilar/Paola Alvarado (GUA) defeated KeturaHeymans/Simone Elizee (SUR) 2-0 (21-8, 21-10) and won their second game of the day against Shanadia Sylvester/Nikita Campbell (VIN) 2-0 (21-12, 21-16).

Danna Aguilar and Paola Alvarado (Guatemala)

Susana Torres/Atenas Gutierrez from Mexico topped Lea Monkhouse/Maria-Alex Belanger from Canada 2-1 (22-24, 21-19, 15-12) in pool D and Cubans Maykelin Drik/Amanda Armenteros 2-0 (21-16, 21-13).

In pool A action, the Dominican duo of Julibeth Payano/Crismil Paniagua defeated Karla Tovar/Daniela Vigil from El Salvador 2-0 (21-9, 21-14), while their second victory of the day came via bye, the same as Socorro López/Lolette Rodríguez (NCA), who had previously also defeated the Salvadoran duo 2-0 (21-8, 21-11).

The preliminary round concludes on Thursday, followed by the Quarterfinals and the losers’ round.

Other results of the day:

Laura Molina/Kianny Quesada (CRC) d Cristina Almeida-Anz/Taylor Buckner (ISV) 2-0 (21-15, 21-15); Nallelyn Taveras/Darlenys Olivo (DOM) d Cristina Almeida-Anz/Taylor Buckner (ISV) 2-0 (21-19, 21-19); Maykelin Drik/Amanda Armenteros (CUB) d Heather Thompson/Maryn McCoombs (CAY) 2-0 (21-13, 21-13) and Lea Monkhouse/Maria-Alex Belanger (CAN) d Heather Thompson/Maryn McCoombs (CAY) 2 -0 (21-17, 21-7).

Six Men duos undefeated in Juan Dolio

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JUAN DOLIO, Dominican Republic, May 8, 2024.- Six men´s duos went undefeated during the first day of competitions of the third stop of the 2024 NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour that is being held in Juan Dolio beach, Dominican Republic.

In pool B, Christopher and Yoel Guardado of El Salvador went through the first day undefeated, beating Edgar Maldonado/Luis García of Guatemala 2-1 (16-21, 21-18, 15-9) and Dominicans Rolvin Maldonado/Alexander Wilmore 2-1 (21-17, 15-21, 15-11).

Americans Evan Cory/Robert Harrison, who won bronze last week in Varadero, defeated Rolvin Maldonado/Alexander Wilmore (DOM) 2-0 (21-11, 21-14) in their first match in pool B and then beat the Guatemalan duo Edgar Maldonado/Luis García 2- 0 (21-17, 21-13.

Varadero’s silver medalists, Cubans Jorge Alayo/Noslen Díaz who are playing in pool C, defeated Declan Van Dam/Stephen Watson (CAY) 2-0 (21-8, 21-8) and Clerique Ward/Nage Hendrickson of Saint Kitts 2-0 (21-8, 21-4).

Jorge Alayo of Cuba sets the ball

Also in pool C, Kendall Ratter/Marc Lomeli of the U.S. Virgin Islands defeated Clerique Ward/Nage Hendrickson (SKN) 2-0 (21-10, 21-12) and Declan Van Dam/Stephen Watson (CAY) 2-0 (21-14, 21-9).

Nicaragua’s Rubén Mora/Dany López beat Daniel Dyner/Jhostin Varela from Costa Rica 2-1 (21-23, 21-16, 15-11) and Hayerling De Jesús/Oscar Martínez (DOM) 2-0 (21-16, 21-13) in pool A.

Dany Lopez of Nicaragua digs

The other undefeated duo was William Rivera/Arnaldo Torres of Puerto Rico who defeated Miguel Sarabia/Gabriel Cruz (MEX) 2-1 (13-21, 21-17, 15-11) and Ethan Asimia/Joshua Dwarkasing (SUR ) 2-0 (21-7, 21-9).

Arnaldo Torres Puerto Rico spikes

Pool-play concludes on Thursday morning, followed by the Quarterfinals and the losers’ round.

The other results of the day were:

Hayerling De Jesús/Oscar Martínez (DOM) d Jamaar Cropper/Ronaldo Franklyn (VIN) 2-0 (21-8, 21-14); Daniel Dyner/Jhostin Varela (CRC) d Jamaar Cropper/Ronaldo Franklyn (VIN) 2-0 (21-17, 21-17); Robert Kemp/Arran Chambers (CAN) d Ethan Asimia/Joshua Dwarkasing (SUR) 2-0 (21-6, 21-11); Miguel Sarabia/Gabriel Cruz (MEX) d Robert Kemp/Arran Chambers (CAN) 2-1 (14-21, 21-19, 15-9).

The 2024 NORCECA Continental Beach Volleyball Tour  continues this Wednesday in Juan Dolio

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JUAN DOLIO, Dominican Republic, May 7, 2024.- A total of 31 teams from 15 countries will see action at the third stop of the 2024 NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour  that begins this Wednesday in Juan Dolio, Dominican Republic.

16 men’s and 15 women’s teams confirmed their participation in the event during the preliminary meeting on Tuesday seeking to advance from the first round of groups that starts this Wednesday starting at 8:30 am (local time) on the sand courts located in the Juan Dolio beach.

Dominican Republic

The preliminary group round begins this Wednesday and will conclude on Thursday in the morning and in the afternoon the Quarterfinals and the losers’ round will be played, while on Friday the Semifinal and the Final will be played as well as the positions round.

Costa Rica

Men’s teams: CAN Robert Kemp/Arran Chambers, CAY Jesario Ebanks/Stephen Watson, CRC Daniel Dyner/Jhostin Varela, CUB Jorge Alayo/Noslen Díaz , DOM Hayerling De Jesús/Oscar Martínez, Rolvin Maldonado/Alexander Wilmore, ESA Christopher Guardado/Yoel Guardado, GUA Edgar Maldonado/Luis García, MEX Miguel Sarabia/Gabriel Cruz, NIC Rubén Mora/Dany López, PUR William Rivera/Arnaldo Torres, SNK Clerique Ward/Nage Hendrickson, SUR Ethan Asimia/Joshua Dwarkasing, USA Evan Cory/Robert Harrison, ISV Kendall Ratter/Marc Lomeli, , VIN Jamaar Cropper/Ronaldo Franklyn

Women’s teams: CAN Lea Monkhouse/Maria-Alex Belanger, CAY Heather Thompson/Maryn McCoombs, CUB Maykelin Drik/Amanda Armenteros, CRC Ximena Núñez/Kianny Araya, DOM Crismil Paniagua/Julibeth Payano, Nallelyn Taveras/Darlenys Olivo, ESA Karla Tovar/Daniela Vigil, GUA Danna Aguilar/Paola Alvarado, MEX Susana Torres/Atenas Gutierrez, NIC Socorro López/Lolette Rodríguez, PUR Allanis Navas/María González, SUR KeturaHeymans/Simone Elizee, USA Haley Hardward/Kylie Kuyava-De Berg, ISV Cristina Almeida-Anz/Taylor Buckner, VIN Shanadia Sylvester/Nikita Campbell

Kloth/Nuss Win Silver in Brasilia

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BRASILIA, Brazil, May 6, 2024- USA’s Taryn Kloth and Kristen Nuss won the silver medal from the Elite 16 Beach Volleyball Pro Tour in Brasilia over the weekend.

Kloth and Nuss, currently No.2 in the world, lost to No.1 Ana Patricia/Duda of Brazil 0-2 (17-21, 14-21) in the gold medal match.

Earlier in semifinals, the Americans recovered from losing the first set to Swiss Esmée/Zoe to advance to the title match 2-1 (16-21, 21-19, 15-12).

Brasilia Elite 16 Beach Pro Tour Medalists

Brasília Elite16 – Final Results

The next Beach Pro Tour Elite16 event of the season will take place in Espinho, Portugal, later this month, from May 22-26.

NORCECA Final Standings

MEN 5 Evans/Budinger (USA)& Partrain/Benesh (USA); 13 Crabb Tr./Brunner (USA)

WOMEN 5 Hughes/Cheng (USA); 9 Melissa/Brandie (CAN); 21 Bansley/Bukovec (CAN) & Pavan/McBain (CAN)

Simo and Van Winkle (USA), Champions of the second phase of the NORCECA Beach Tour

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VARADERO, Cuba, May 5, 2024 – Americans Savannah Simo and Abby Van Winkle clinched the gold medal in the second phase of the 2024 NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour by defeating Puerto Ricans Allanis Navas and María González 2-1 (21-14, 17-21, 15-12).

With this performance, they now have two medals in this circuit, as they won bronze in the opening event in Güibia, Santo Domingo, while the Puerto Ricans, titleholders of the Central American and Caribbean Games in San Salvador 2023, once again missed out on the top spot, settling for second place.

Simo and Van Winkle avenged their fellow Americans Harward Hailey and Kylie De Berg, who had defeated them in the semifinals a month ago. This time, the roles were reversed, with Simo and Van Winkle emerging as the victors, winning 2-0 (21-19, 21-17) and securing their place in the final.

Savannah Simo and Aby Van Winkle celebrate

However, Harward and DeBerg, reigning champions at Güibia Beach, didn’t leave empty-handed, as they secured the bronze by defeating hosts Maykelín Drik and Amanda Armenteros 2-1 (21-17, 17-21, 15-13) in a hard-fought match that lasted 48 minutes.

In the other semifinal, Navas and González once again prevailed over the Cubans, this time with scores of 2-0 (21-18, 21-18).

One of the champions, Simo, expressed, “We are very motivated to have won medals in both phases. We attended university together; however, this is the first year we have teamed up and competed in the NORCECA Tour. Although I played it three years ago, this is my fourth experience”.

Abby added, “This is our first time in Varadero, there is a lot of wind, but it’s beautiful, we love it. The people are very friendly, they enjoy the energy, and are very sociable”.

The fifth place went to Darby Dunn/Myriam Robitaille (CAN-1) who defeated Dominicans Julibeth Payano/Crismil Paniagua 2-0 (21-18, 21-13).

Guatemalans Danna Aguilar/Naomi Monney secured seventh place without playing due to the non-appearance of Canadians Marie Ale Bélanger/Lea Monkhouse (CAN-2).

Ninth place was for the second home pair, Kailin Garrido/Yenifer Rivera, after defeating Amber Bennett/Taylor Buckner (ISV-2)  2-0 (24-22, 21-14), and the eleventh place went to Socorro López/Lolette Rodríguez (NCA) who overcame Dana Funes/Keiry Guzmán (ESA) 2-0 (21-15, 21-15).

Ximena Núñez/Kianny Araya (CRC) defeated Mannika Charles/Tara Austin (ISV-1) 2-1 (21-14, 14-21, 15-9) to claim the 13th position; Selena Spek/Mileidy Paret (CUB-3) defeated Shanicia Dyer/Shajunee Gumbs (SKN) 2-0 (21-14-21-11) finishing in 16th place, while Janneke Tammenga/Chelleney Soedamah (SUR) rounded off the table.

Drost and Caldwell reign at NORCECA Beach Tour in Varadero sands

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VARADERO, Cuba, May 5, 2024 – Avery James Drost and Cody Caldwell, from the United States, reigned on the sands of this resort by defeating the host top pair of Jorge Luis Alayo and Noslen Díaz 2-0 (21-13, 22-20) in the men’s grand final of the NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour.

The bronze medal went to Evan Cory and Robert Harrison (USA-1), who defeated Puerto Ricans Arnaldo Torres and William Rivera 2-0 (21-17, 21-16).

In the semifinals, while Alayo and Díaz overcame the Puerto Ricans relatively easily 2-0 (21-16, 21-13), while the American duos engaged in a tight battle that extended to a tie-break, with Drost and Caldwell ultimately prevailing 2-1 (28-26, 20-22, 15-11) in the only match of the tournament that exceeded one hour of play (1.08).

Visibly moved after securing the final winning point against Alayo and Díaz, a pair aiming for Olympic qualification through the FIVB world ranking, champion Drost humbly acknowledged the quality of his opponents. “They are great players and good people,” said the experienced 37-year-old athlete.

Every Drost and Cody Caldwell of USA celebarte winning Gold

“We are happy for this victory, thanks to Cuba for their support and love. I won the gold medal here in 2018 with another partner, and it’s a satisfaction and blessing to keep playing at my age, and for my family to continue enjoying my successes.”

Drost added in Spanish, which he learned in Mexico,  “I dedicate this medal to my new partner Cody and especially to my wife, who is celebrating her 37th birthday today, as well as to my three children, a seven-year-old girl, and two boys aged five and fourteen months.”

For fifth place, Rouzbeh Rahnavard/Tynan Gannett (CAN-1) defeated Tyler Penberthy/Bryce Mayer (ISV-2) 2-1 (21-11, 17-21, 15-13), while Garret Bucklin/Robert Cronshaw (ISV-1) secured seventh place by defeating Arran Chambers/Robert Kemp (CAN-1) in two identical sets of 21-15.

The young international debutant duo of Damián Gómez/Eblis Veranes (CUB-2) secured ninth place by defeating El Salvador’s twin brothers Christopher and Yoel Guardado 2-0 (21-17, 21-15).

In eleventh place were Nicaraguans Rubén Mora and Denis López, who defeated Guatemalans José Izaguirre/Luis García 2-0 (21-13, 21-11); in fifteenth place, Clair Hodge/Clerique Ward (SKN) received a bye, and in seventeenth place, Gino Naarden/Keven Sporkslede (SUR-2) defeated their compatriots Joshua Dwarkasing/David Pinas 2-0 (21-15, 22-22-20).

Varadero women’s semifinals, a repeat from Güibia

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VARADERO, Cuba, May 4, 2024 – The four pairs that advanced to the women’s semifinals of the second phase of the 2024 NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour are an exact replica of those who starred in this round a month ago at the Güibia venue on the Malecón in Santo Domingo.

At this international resort, at 12:30 p.m., Cuba’s main duo of Maykelín Drik and Amanda Armenteros will face their same victors, Puerto Ricans Allanis Navas and María González, champions of the 2023 Central American and Caribbean Games in San Salvador, on central court.

Simultaneously on the other court, American duos of Hailey Harward and Kylie Kuyava DeBerg, and Savannah Simo and Abby Van Winkle, will once again face off, precisely gold and bronze, in that order, at the first stop of this tour.

Savvy Simo USA

In the inaugural stop of this tour in April, Allanis and María took home the silver medal, after they dominated Cuba in the semifinals, so there is a real possibility of repeating their victory or avenging their loss to Hailey and Kylie, who denied them the top spot on the podium.

The Cuban duo, as well as Harward and DeBerg, and the Puerto Ricans, remained undefeated in their respective groups A, B, and C in the preliminary round with four wins, while Simo and Van Winkle finished second with a 3-1 record behind Allanis and María.

Then in the quarterfinals, Drik and Armenteros defeated Darby Dunn and Myriam Robitaille (CAN-1) in two sets (21-10, 21-17), while Savannah Simo and Van Winkle (USA-1) did something similar against Marie-Alex Bélanger and Lea Monkhouse (CAN-2) by winning 21-5 and 21-16.

Also in quarterfinals, Navas and González easily overcame Dominicans Julibeth Payano and Crismil Paniagua 2-0 (21-10, 21-7) and Harward and DeBerg (USA-2) defeated Danna Aguilar and Naomi Monney (GUA) 2-0 (21-8, 21-15).

Allanis Navas of Puerto Rico digs

In other results during the sunny Saturday, in the semifinal to determine places from 9 to 12, Kailin Garrido and Yenifer Rivera (CUB-2) prevailed over the Nicaraguans Socorro López and Lolette Rodríguez 2-1 (19-21, 21-15, 15-10), and Amber Bennett and Taylor Buckner (ISV-2) defeated El Salvador’s Dana Funes and Keiry Guzmán 2-0 (21-10, 21-6).

While in that round for places 13 to 16, Ximena Núñez and Kianny Araya defeated the locals Selena Spek and Mileidy Paret (CUB-3) 2-1 (21-12, 16-21, 15-3), and Mannika Charles and Tara (ISV-1) overcame Shanicia Dyer and Shajunee Gumbs (SKN) 2-0 (21-15, 21-18).

United States, Cuba, and Puerto Rico advance to men’s semifinals

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VARADERO, Cuba, May 4, 2024 – United States, Cuba, and Puerto Rico have advanced to the semifinals of the second phase of the 2024 NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour, which concludes this Sunday in this renowned tourist destination.

The American duos of Evan Cory/Robert Harrison (USA-1) and James Drost/Cody Caldwell (USA-2) will face off starting at 11:45 a.m., and at the same time, on the central court, the hosts Jorge Luis Alayo/Noslen Díaz will play against Puerto Rico’s Arnaldo Torres/William Rivera.

Garrett Bucklin ISV- Cody Caldwell USA

The local team is a strong contender to take the crown in Varadero considering their physical form after delivering a remarkable performance in several stops of the Beach Pro Tour, where they earned two silver medals in the Challenge level and one bronze in Elite16 in pursuit of points for their Olympic qualification through the FIVB ranking.

Alayo and Díaz, as well as Drost and Caldwell, led their respective elimination groups A and B undefeated with four wins each, while Cory and Harrison, as well as the Puerto Ricans, finished second in pools C and D, both with a 3-1 win-loss record.

In the quarterfinals, the Cubans secured their fifth consecutive victory by defeating Arran Chambers and Robert Kemp (CAN-1) in 36 minutes 2-0 (21-16, 21-14).

Meanwhile, Puerto Rico’s Torres and Rivera (second in group D with a 3-1 record) had to use all their resources to overcome Rouzbeh Rahnavard/Tynan Gannett (CAN-2), winners of group C with a 3-1 record, in a match that extended to a tie-break (21-19, 17-21, 15-13) in nearly an hour of play.

William Rivera Puerto Rico

In the quarterfinal round, Cory and Harrison dominated Tyler Penberthy and Bryce Mayer (ISV-2) 2-0 (21-14, 23-21), who had finished first in group D (3-1).

Meanwhile, Drost and Caldwell defeated Garrett Bucklin and Robert Cronshaw (ISV-1), also with a sweep (21-18, 21-15).

In other results from Saturday’s matches: Semifinals 9-12: Gómez-Veranes (CUB-2) def. D. Dyner/Varela (CRC) 2-0 (17-21, 18-21), Guardado C./Guardado Y (ESA) def. De Jesús/Martínez (DOM) 2-1 (16-21, 21-16, 17-15); Semifinals 13-16 Mora/Lopez (NCA) def. Hodge/Clerique (SKN) 2-0 (21-10, 21-8), and Izaguirre/Garcia (GUA) def. Williams/Whitfield (TTO) by forfeit.

Favorites prevail in Varadero on the first day of the NORCECA Tour

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VARADERO, Cuba, May 3, 2024 – The top favorites to contend for the podium in the second phase of the 2024 NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour got off to a strong start in the beginning of the group elimination stage, taking place on the courts at the Barceló Arenas Blancas hotel.

Hailey Harward and Kylie Kuyava-DeBerg (USA-2), champions in the previous stop in Santo Domingo a month ago, defeated their strongest opponents in Group B, Cuban pair Kailin Garrido-Yenifer Rivera, 2-0 (21-18, 21-12), and the Canadian pair Darby Dunn-Myriam Robitaille in two identical sets of 21-13.

They only must face the Costa Rican pair Ximena Núñez-Kianny Araya, as the team from Trinidad and Tobago withdrew from participating in the event at this venue, which has hosted the important event since 2011.

Among the hosts, it’s worth noting the significant victory they secured against the Canadians, and they still have to clash with the Central Americans, as they already secured a victory against the no show Trinidadians.

Meanwhile, Puerto Ricans María González and Allanis Navas, titleholders of the Central American and Caribbean Games in San Salvador 2023, seem determined to avenge their loss to Hailey and Kylie in the Güibia beach final.

In Group C, the spirited Puerto Rican duo defeated the young debutants Selena Spek and Mileidy Paret (CUB-3) with easy scores of 21-9 and 21-4, and also defeated the American pair Savannah Simo-Abby Van Winkle in consecutive sets (21-18, 21-10). The Americans were bronze medalists in the opening of the 2024 NORCECA Tour, scored victories against the Cubans and the Nicaraguans.

Allanis Navas of Puerto Rico

Meanwhile, the main local pair, Amanda Armenteros and Maykelín Drik (fourth in Güibia), after receiving a bye in Group A, defeated Charles/Austin (ISV-1) 2-0 (21-9, 21-12) and will try to maintain their undefeated record against El Salvador’s Keiry Guzmán and Dana Funes, and Guatemala’s Naomi Monney and Danna Aguilar this Saturday.

Friday’s results:

Group A: Aguilar/Monney (GUA) def. Charles/Austin (ISV-1) 2-1 (21-9, 19-21, 15-7); Drik/Amanda (CUB-1) def. Charles/Austin (ISV-1) 2-0 (21-9, 21-12); Aguilar/Monney (GUA) def. Funes/Guzmán (ESA) 2-0 (22-20, 21-18).

Group B: Harward/DeBerg (USA-2) def. Kailin/Rivera (CUB-2) 2-0 (21-18, 21-12); Dunn/Robitaille (CAN-1) def. Núñez/Quesada (CRC) 2-0 (21-16, 21-16); Harward/DeBerg (USA-2) def. Dunn/Robitaille (CAN-1) 2-0 (21-13, 21-13); Kailin/Rivera (CUB-2) def. Choon/Selvon (TTO) forfeit; Núñez/Quesada (CRC) def. Choon/Selvon (TTO) forfeit; Kailin/Rivera (CUB-2) def. Dunn/Robitaille (CAN-1) 2-1 (13-21, 26-24, 15-12).

Group C: Navas/González (PUR) def. Spek/Paret (CUB-3) 2-0 (21-9, 21-4); Savvy/Van Winkle (USA-1) def. López/Lolette (NCA) 2-0 (21-4, 21-10); Navas/González (PUR) def. Savvy/Van Winkle (USA-1) 2-0 (21-18, 21-10); Spek/Paret (CUB-3) def. Tammenga/Soedamah (SUR) 2-0 (21-11, 21-15); López/Lolette (NCA) def. Tammenga/Soedamah (SUR) 2-0 (25-23, 21-17); Savvy/Van Winkle (USA-1) def. Spek/Paret (CUB-3) 2-0 (21-12, 21-10).

Group D: Payano/Paniagua (DOM) def. Dyer/Gumbs (SKN) 2-0 (21-7, 21-10); Bélanger/Monkhouse (CAN-2) def. Dyer/Gumbs (SKN) 2-0 (21-16, 21-12); Payano/Paniagua (DOM) def. Bennett/Buckner (ISV-2) 2-0 (24-22, 21-17).

Drost/Caldwell and Alayo/Diaz unbeaten at the start of the NORCECA Beach Tour

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VARADERO, Cuba, May 3, 2024 – James Drost and Cody Caldwell (USA-2) and Jorge Luis Alayo and Noslen Diaz (Cuba-1) went undefeated through in the group elimination round in the opening day of the second phase of the 2024 NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour at the attractive venue of this international resort.

The Americans managed to defeat their three opponents of the day in group B. In this order, they swept Nicaraguans Rubén Mora and Denis López (21-17, 21-18) and Canadians Arrán Chambers and Robert Kemp (21-18, 21-18), but they had to push against the young debutants, Damián Gómez and Eblis Veranes, from Cuba, to overcome them in a tiebreaker 2-1 (21-19, 15-21, 17-15).

On the other hand, the main local duo of Jorge Luis Alayo and Noslen Diaz had no setbacks in defeating Joshua Dwarkasing and David Pinas (SUR-1) in two sets (21-8, 21-10), and similarly against Garret Bucklin and Robert Cronshaw (ISV-1) 2-0 (21-14, 21-12).

The hosts emerge as favorites to triumph in this stop, following their outstanding performances in several events in the FIVB Beach Pro Tour in search of the necessary points to qualify through the world ranking for the Paris Olympic Games.

Noslen Diaz de CUB ante David Pinas de SUR

On Saturday, they must face the duos from Guatemala and El Salvador, against whom they should not have difficulties given their physical and technical form, while Americans Drost and Caldwell only have one match, against the second team from Suriname.

On day two of the event, the matches of each group will be completed to continue with the quarterfinal round and define the pairs that will advance to the semifinals.

Friday’s results:

Group A: Alayo/Diaz (CUB-1) def. Dwarkasing/Pinas (SUR-1) 2-0 (21-8, 21-10); Bucklin/Cronshaw (ISV-1) def. Guardado C./Guardado Y. (ESA) 2-0 (21-18, 21-12); Alayo/Diaz (CUB) def. Bucklin/Cronshaw (ISV-1) 2-0 (21-14, 21-12); Izaguirre/García (GUA) def. Dwarkasing/Pinas (SUR-1) 2-1 (15-21, 21-19, 15-13); Guardado C./Guardado Y. (ESA) def. Izaguirre/García (GUA) 2-1 (21-12, 20-22, 15-12) and Bucklin/Cronshaw (ISV-1) def. Dwarkasing/Pinas (SUR-1) 2-0 (21-7, 21-14).

Group B: Chambers/Kemp (CAN-1) def. Gómez/Veranes (CUB-2) 2-1 (21-17, 19-21, 15-13); Drost/Caldwell (USA-2) def. Mora/López (NCA) 2-0 (21-17, 21-18); Drost/Caldwell (USA-2) def. Chambers/Kemp (CAN-1) 2-0 (21-18, 21-18); Gómez/Veranes (CUB-2) def. Naarden/Sporkslede (SUR-2) 2-0 (21-10, 21-11); Mora/López (NCA) def. Naarden/Sporkslede (SUR-2) 2-0 (21-11, 21-16) and Drost/Caldwell (USA-2) def. Gómez/Veranes (CUB-2) 2-1 (21-19, 15-21, 17-15).

Group C: D. Dyner/Varela (CRC) def. Hodge/Clerique (SKN) 2-0 (21-12, 23-21); Rahnavard/Gannett (CAN-2) def. D. Dyner/Varela (CRC) 2-0 (21-11, 21-12); Cory/Harrison (USA-1) def. Rahnavard/Gannett (CAN-2) 2-0 (22-20, 21-17).

Group D: Penberthy /Mayer (ISV-2) def. Williams/Whitfield (TTO) forfeit team B; Penberthy /Mayer (ISV-2) def. Torres/Rivera (PUR) 2-1 (19-21, 21-15, 15-11); Torres/Rivera (PUR) def. De Jesús/Martínez (DOM) 2-0 (21-19, 21-15).

USA’s Hailley and DeBerg hope to repeat victory in Varadero Beach Tour

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VARADERO, Cuba, May 2, 2024.- Americans Hailey Harward-Kylie Kuyava-DeBerg hope to climb to the top of the podium in the second phase of the 2024 NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour, just as they did in the opening event last April in Dominican sands.

Just a month ago, they dominated the final against Puerto Ricans María González and Allanis Navas in a closely contested match that extended to a tiebreaker. However, the champions of the Central American and Caribbean Games in San Salvador 2023 return to Varadero with every intention of repeating their success.

Two other pairs who faced off at Güibia Beach were also from the North: Savannah Simo-Abby Van Winkle and Cuba’s main female pair, Amanda Armenteros and Maykelín Drik, but the Americans won in two identical sets of 21-15.

RESULTS-WOMEN

Nevertheless, Canada is here with two pairs whose opponents should not be underestimated, nor should the Dominican duo, led by Julibeth Payano, who, along with Bethania Almanza, secured the silver medal. Payano now arrives in Varadero with Crismil Paniagua, embracing the same desire to continue progressing.

On Friday, the preliminary group elimination matches take place, continuing Saturday until the quarterfinals, while semifinals on Sunday will pave the way for the battle for medals.

Group A: Amanda Armenteros-Maykelín Drik (CUB-1), Keiry Guzmán-Dana Funes (ESA), Naomi Monney-Danna Aguilar (GUA), and Mannika Charles-T’ara Austin (ISV-1).

Group B: Hailey Harward-Kylie Kuyava-DeBerg (USA-2), Ximena Núñez-Kianny Araya (CRC), Britney Choon-Tsyan Selvon (TTO), Darby Dunn-Myriam Robitaille (CAN-2), and Kailin Garrido-Yenifer Rivera (CUB-2).

Group C: María González-Allanis Navas (PUR), Socorro López-Lolette Rodríguez (NCA), Janneke Tammenga-Chelleney Soedamah (SUR), Savannah Simo-Abby Van Winkle (USA-1), and Selena Spek-Mileidy Paret (CUB-3).

Group D: Lea Monkhouse-Marie-Alex Bélanger (CAN-1), Julibeth Payano-Crismil Paniagua (DOM), Amber Bennett-Taylor Buckner (ISV-2), and Gumbs Shajunee-Dyer Shanicia (SKN).

Extensive day kicks off men’s action at the second phase of the Norceca Circuit in Varadero

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VARADERO, Cuba, May 3, 2024.- The second phase of the 2024 Norceca Beach Volleyball Tour began in this international resort with an extensive program that includes 15 men matches to start the group elimination round.

Among the 18 pairs from 13 countries, the local duo of Jorge Luis Alayo and Noslen Díaz (CUB-1) stands out, following their performances at the Beach Pro Tour in Brazil, Mexico, and China, where they collected two silver medals at the Challenge level and a bronze in Elite 16, keeping their hopes alive for Olympic qualification to Paris through the FIVB ranking.

RESULTS-MEN

Also important is the presence of Americans Evan Cory-Robert Harrison (USA-1), the runners-up of the Norceca circuit opener in early April at Güibia Beach on the Malecón in Santo Domingo.

The pairs from Canada cannot be underestimated because of the traditional quality of their players, and it wouldn’t be surprising if they manage to reach the podium. A team from this country took gold in the Dominican capital, although they are not participating in this event, which once again takes place on courts adjacent to the Barceló Arenas Blancas Hotel.

During the preliminary meetings on Thursday night, Mireya Luis, Cuban three-time Olympic champion and control committee Norceca supervisor, welcomed each of the teams. She introduced the competition director, Cayacoa Moquete, and Miguel Ramírez, referee coach, as well as Omelio Castillo, from the Cuban Volleyball Federation.

Group A: Jorge Luis Alayo-Noslen Díaz (CUB-1), Christopher Guardado-Yoel Guardado (ESA), José Izaguirre-Luis García (GUA), Garrett Bucklin-Robert Cronshaw (ISV-1), and Joshua Dwarkasing-David Pinas (SUR-1).

Group B: Arran Chambers-Robert Kemp (CAN-1), Rubén Mora-Denis López (NCA), Gino Naarden-Keven Sporkslede (SUR-2), James Drost-Cody Caldwell (USA-2), and Damián Gómez-Eblis Veranes (CUB-2).

Group C: Rouzbeh Rahnavard-Tynan Gannett (CAN-2), Daniel Dyner-Jhostin Varela (CRC), Clair Hodge-Clerique Ward (SKN), and Evan Cory-Robert Harrison (USA-1).

Group D: Hayerling De Jesús-Oscar Martínez (DOM), Tyler Penberthy-Bryce Mayer (ISV-2), Arnaldo Torres-William Rivera (PUR), and Daneil Williams-Fabien Whitfield (TTO).

Puerto Rico Chase Historic Olympic Spot at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games with FIVB Volleyball Empowerment Support

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May 1, 2024.- With support from the FIVB Volleyball Empowerment program, Allanis Navas and Maria Gonzalez will be looking to add a historic appearance at the Olympic Games to their cap this year.

Coach Angel Peña has identified the NORCECA Continental Cup scheduled for June in Mexico as their sure route to the Olympic Games, with the winner guaranteed a ticket to Paris.

Navas and Gonzalez won silver medal at the first stop of the 2024 NORCECA beach volleyball Tour.

After making their first appearance at the FIVB World Championships in 2023, Puerto Rico’s women’s beach volleyball team pair of Allanis Navas and Maria Gonzalez will be looking to add a historic appearance at the Olympic Games to their cap this year.

With the trailblazing duo of Navas and Gonzalez facing the world’s best at the FIVB World Championships in Tlaxcala, Mexico, they were only further galvanized to achieve their dream of featuring in the biggest sporting event in the world, the Olympic Games, this year.

Supporting the duos development is Angel Peña. Peña has taken charge of Puerto Rico’s women’s beach volleyball team thanks to an investment of CHF 72,000 in coach support from the FIVB Volleyball Empowerment Program. Peña is no stranger to Navas and Gonzalez, having worked with them from youth categories.

Puerto Rico’s Maria Gonzalez in action against Switzerland at the 2023 FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships held in Tlaxcala, Mexico.

“I know them so well having worked with them from as young as 12 years. I have seen them develop from a young age and I’m confident now that I have more time to work with them, we can make history together by qualifying for the Olympic Games for the first time,” Peña told FIVB.com.

“The Volleyball Empowerment support is a game changer for us. It has made a big difference because I can now focus on this team 24/7. We are now training consistently and having three sessions a day for six days a week. Before we could only have one session per day for five days in a week,” noted Peña.

Peña has identified the NORCECA Continental Cup scheduled for June in Mexico as their sure route to the Olympic Games, with the winner guaranteed a ticket to Paris. Providing them with added confidence going into this competition will be the silver medal that the pair recently won at the first stop of the 2024 NORCECA beach volleyball Tour held at the Güibia beach in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic in April.

In addition to competitions, the duo is also scheduled to attend training camps in both Brazil and Puerto Rico as well as four Challenge events in the Beach Pro Tour. Namely Recife, Saquarema, Guadalajara and Stare Jablonki. There is also another stop on the NORCECA Tour in Cuba as well as a Beach Pro Tour Elite 16 event in Tepic, Mexico lined up.

“We have made our program in such a way that we will have one week after each tournament to regroup and work on our mistakes. These competitions will help us to gauge the duos performance against high-level opponents, work on their mental strength and see how they adapt to different playing styles.” asserted Peña.

Puerto Rico’s Maria Gonzalez (right) in action against Canada at the 2023 FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships held in Tlaxcala, Mexico

“We want to build on this experience and ensure the players are well prepared for the Continental Cup where we expect stiff competition from Mexico, Cuba and Canada. However, the players are showing great improvement and I’m confident that come June they will have matured and stand a good chance of qualifying (for the Olympic Games),” Peña added.

For both Navas and Gonzalez, qualifying for Paris 2024 will be the perfect birthday gift (they both turn 22 this year), since they graduated to the senior category having featured in the Youth Olympic Games held in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 2018.

36 tandems at Varadero NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour

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HAVANA, Cuba, April 22, 2024.- The second phase of the 2024 NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour, hosted in the tourist city of Varadero, will feature 36 tandems, 18 in each gender, from May 2nd to 5th.

Mireya Luis, former triple Olympic volleyball champion, confirmed the information as supervisor of the event and organizer since 2011 as this attractive venue has been hosting an annual stop, and in the last seven editions at the Barceló Solymar Arenas Blancas complex.

Cuba will be represented by its two main pairs, in the women’s category Maykelín Drik-Amanda Armenteros and Kailin Garrido-Yenifer Rivera, and in the men’s category Jorge Luis Alayo-Noslen Diaz and Damián Gómez-Eblis Veranes.

The women’s duos also include Savannah Simo-Abby Van Winkle (USA-1), Hailey Harward-Kylie Kuyava-De Berg (USA-2), Britney Choon-Tsyan Selvon (Trinidad and Tobago), Mannika Charles-T’ara Austin (Virgin Islands-1), Amber Bennett-Taylor Buckner (ISV-2), Janneke Tammenga-Chelleney Soedamah (Suriname), Julibeth Payano-Crismil Paniagua (Dominican Republic), and Karla Tovar-Keiry Guzmán (El Salvador).

Also registered are Socorro López-Lolette Rodríguez (Nicaragua), Allanis Navas-María González (Puerto Rico), Abril Flores-Yeray Vidaurrazaga (Mexico-1), Atenas Gutiérrez-Susana Torres (Mexico-2), Marie-Alex Bélanger-Lea Monkhouse (Canada-1), Anna Licht-Amy Ozee (Canada-2), Natalia Girón-Paola Alvarado (Guatemala), and Ximena Núñez-Kianny Araya (Costa Rica).

The men’s teams include Evan Cory-Robert Wyatt (USA-1), James Avery Drost-Cody Caldwell (USA-2), Daneil Williams-Fabien Whitfield (Trinidad and Tobago), Garrett Bucklin-Robert Cronshaw (ISV-1), Tyler Penberthy-Bryce Mayer (ISV-2), Joshua Dwarkasing-David Pinas (Suriname-1), Gino Naarden-Keven Sporkslede (Suriname-2), and Arnaldo Torres-William Rivera (Puerto Rico).

Completing the men’s field are Christopher A. Guardado-Yoel Guardado (El Salvador), Rubén Mora-Jefferson Cascante (Nicaragua), Ricardo Galindo-Isaías Aguirre (Mexico), Arran Chambers-Steven Abrams (Canada-1), Jake MacNeil-Alexander W. Russell (Canada-2), Edgar Maldonado-Luis García (Guatemala), Daniel Villa-Jhostin Varela (Costa Rica), and Hayerling Goris-Oscar Martínez (Dominican Republic).

Alongside Mireya Luis, the NORCECA control committee includes Dominicans Eduardina Báez (Competition Director) and Cayacoa Moquete (Info and Technology), and Mexican Miguel Ramírez (Referee Coach).

The international referees appointed are Dominican Rocío Lai, Nicaraguan Arianna Argüello, and Cuban Erick Martínez. 

Cuba’s Noslen Diaz & Jorge Alayo won bronze at their first Main Draw Elite 16

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TEPIC, Mexico, April 21, 2024.- Cuba’s Noslen Diaz & Jorge Alayo continued their fabulous season by snatching bronze at their first Elite16 main draw appearance after beating Germany’s Clemens Wickler & Nils Ehlers on Sunday in Tepic, Mexico.

13th-seeded Diaz & Alayo, who started the tournament from the qualifiers, delivered a 2-0 (21-18, 21-17) upset of fifth-seeded Wickler & Ehlers. Alayo contributed six kill blocks towards the victory to finish with 21 points, while Ehlers was the best scorer of the match with 23. It was the fourth consecutive final four finish on the Beach Pro Tour for the Cuban duo. In the previous three Challenge events, they collected two silvers and a fourth place. The Tepic tournament was the first time they played in an Elite16 main draw, and the bronze earned will help them a lot in their quest to climb up the provisional Olympic ranking and qualify for Paris.

In their semifinal match, Diaz & Alayo took the first set, but Brazil’s Andre Stein & George Wanderley mounted a 2-1 (19-21, 21-15, 15-12) comeback.

Swedish David Ahman & Jonatan Hellvig defended the Tepic trophy edging Brazil’s Andre & George in three sets 2-1 (21-17, 19-21, 15-10) to celebrate their seventh Beach Pro Tour gold.

In the women’s field, Switzerland’s Nina Brunner & Tanja Huberli celebrated their first-ever Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour gold after defeating Netherlands’ Katja Stam & Raisa Schoon 2-1 (21-14, 19-21, 19-17) victory. Brazil’s Barbara Seixas & Carol Solberg squeezed out a bronze victory over Italy’s Marta Menegatti & Valentina Gottardi 2-1 (22-20, 21-23, 25-23).

VW Beach Pro Tour Tepic Elite16: all results

Crabb & Brunner top Men’s podium and Bansley & Bukovec take Women’s Bronze in Guadalajara

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GUADALAJARA, Mexico, April 14, 2024.- USA’s Trevor Crabb & Theodore Brunner gained an important edge in the race towards the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in France by snatching the men’s gold while Canada’s Heather Bansley & Sophie Bukovec took the women’s bronze at the Beach Pro Tour Challenge event in Guadalajara.

15th-seeded Trevor Crabb & Theodore Brunner advanced to the Guadalajara knockouts as Pool C runners-up and won their next four games (all four of them in tiebreakers!) to snatch their second Beach Pro Tour gold, after topping the podium at the Espinho Challenge last summer. They also have the Haikou Challenge silver from November in their collection.

In their last two matches, the Americans had to come back from a set down but persevered on the way to a 2-1 (18-21, 21-18, 15-13) semifinal win over third-seeded Cubans Noslen Diaz & Jorge Alayo and a 2-1 (12-21, 21-19, 15-12) victory in the final against eighth-seeded Pfretzschner & Winter of Germany.

In the women’s field, Bansley & Bukovec, who launched their participation in the tournament from Thursday’s qualifiers, but then also started the main draw with a defeat, bounced back from their narrow semifinal loss with a 2-0 (21-18, 21-14) victory over German’s Borger & Ittlinger to get the bronze, their third Beach Pro Tour medal, after the Halifax Futures gold in September and the Recife Challenge silver in March.

In their semifinal game, Bansley & Bukovec fell 1-2 (18-21, 21-18, 18-21) to Switzerland’s Esmee Bobner & Zoe Verge-Depre who later won the gold medal. 

The Beach Pro Tour will stay in Mexico for this week’s Tepic Elite16 event from April 17 to 21. The next Challenge event is in Xiamen, China from April 25 to 28.

Guadalajara Challenge: results and standings

Canada wins men’s gold on the NORCECA Tour

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SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, April 7, 2024.-In a match that went to the maximum of three sets, the Canadian duo of Jake MacNeil/William Russell won the gold medal  beating the Americans Robert Harrison/Evan Cory 2-1 (16-21, 21-17,15-11) on the first date of the NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour 2024 that took place on the sand courts installed on Güibia beach on the Santo Domingo boardwalk.

The bronze went to the Americans Timothy Brewster/Kyle Friend who defeated in an exciting match the pair of Hayerling De Jesús/Oscar Martínez from the Dominican Republic 2-1 (20-22, 21-13, 15-8).

Fifth place went to Arran Chambers/Steven Abrams from Canada who easily defeated the Mexicans Ricardo Galindo/Isaías Aguirre 2-0 (21-14, 21-12), in seventh place were Tyler Penberthy/Bryce Mayer (ISV) after defeating Daniel Dyner/Jhostin Varela (CRC) 2-1 (12-21, 21-12, 15-13).

Franklin Flores/Armando Guatemala (ESA) finished ninth by defeating Rubén Mora/Jefferson Cascante (NCA) 2-0 (21-13, 21-16), in eleventh place was the Dominican duo of Jorge Rosario/Rolvin Maldonado who had Edgar Maldonado/ Luis García of Guatemala 2-0 (21-17, 29-27).

Robert Naarden/Keven Sporkslede of Suriname took 13th place after beating Eddy Toro/Gregory De La Cruz of Aruba 2-1 (15-21, 21-17, 15-12), while 15th place went to the Cayman Islands with the Jesario Ebanks/Stephen Watson duo who defeated the Elkreen Morton/Clerique Ward duo of Saint Kitts 2-0 (21-18, 21-19).

The other results of the day were:

Ricardo Galindo/Isaías Aguirre (MEX) d Tyler Penberthy/Bryce Mayer (ISV) 2-1 (15-21, 21-15, 16-14), Arran Chambers/Steven Abrams (CAN) d Daniel Dyner/Jhostin Varela (CRC) ) 2-1 (18-21, 24-22, 15-11), Jake MacNeil/William Russell (CAN) d Hayerling De Jesús/Oscar Martínez (DOM) 2-0 (21-18, 21-17), Robert Harrison/Evan Cory (USA) d Timothy Brewster/Kyle Friend (USA) 2-1 (21-18, 18-21, 23-21). 

Women’s duo from the United States takes gold in the NORCECA 2024 Tour

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SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, April 7, 2024.- The Americans Hailey Harward/Kylie DeBerg won the gold medal this Sunday after beating the pair of Allanis Navas/María González from Puerto Rico 2-1 (18-21, 23 -21, 15-13) at the first stop of the NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour 2024 held on Güibia beach in Santo Domingo.

The bronze medal was won by the United States couple Savannah Simo/Abby Van Winkle after defeating the Cubans Amanda Armenteros/Maykelin Drik 2-0 (21-15, 21-15).

In the match for 5th place, Esperanza Albarrán/Evelyn Ramos (MEX) defeated Dana Rosik/Calinda Kok (CAN) 2-0 (21-17, 21-19), while the Dominicans Nallelin Taveras/Crismil Paniagua were in seventh place after beating Socorro López/LoletteRodríguez (NCA) with a score of 2-0 (21-16, 21-18).

The ninth place went to the Mexicans Susana Torres/Yeray Vidaurrazaga who dominated Kianny Quesada/Ximena Nuñéz from Costa Rica 2-0 (21-14, 21-17), the eleventh position went to Naomy Monney/Danna Aguilar (GUA) who They beat Kathya Vásquez/Daniela Vigil (ESA) 2-0 (21-13,21-16).

Canadians Kristina Vicek/Claire Crossfield took thirteenth position defeating Britney Choon/Tsyan Selvon of Trinidad Tobago 2-1 (21-12, 24-26, 17-15) and in fifteenth place were Deajra Tulloch/Ilean Powery (CAY) beating Zoureena Koningverander/Shaniva Balkaran (SUR) 2-0 (21-16, 21-10).

The other results of the day were:

Dana Rosik/Calinda Kok (CAN) d Socorro López/LoletteRodríguez (NCA) 2-0 (21-8, 21-17), Esperanza Albarrán/Evelyn Ramos (MEX) d Nallelin Taveras/Crismil Paniagua (DOM) 2-0 ( 21-7, 21-11), Hailey Harward/Kylie DeBerg (USA) d Savannah Simo/ Abby Van Winkle (USA) 2-1 (17-21, 21-19, 15-11), Allanis Navas/María González ( PUR) d Amanda Armenteros/Maykelin Drik (CUB) 2-0 (21-15, 21-17).  

Dominican Republic, United States and Canada advance to the semifinals

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SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, April 6, 2024.- The teams from the Dominican Republic, the United States and Canada made their way to the semifinal of the first stop of the NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour 2024 after winning their respective quarterfinal matches this Saturday at the event held on the sand courts installed on Güibia beach on the Santo Domingo boardwalk.

The Dominican duo Hayerlin De Jesús/Oscar Martínez advanced after beating in an electrifying game the pair of Tyler Penberthy/Bryce Mayer of the Virgin Islands 2-0 (28-26,25-23), while the Canadians Jake McNeil/William Russell beat their counterparts Arran Chambers/Steven Abrams with a score of 2-0 (21-17, 21-16).

The Americans Robert Harrison/Evan Cory moved on to the next stage, beating Ricardo Galindo/Isaías Aguirre of Mexico 2-0 (21-15, 22-20), meanwhile the couple of Timothy Brewster/Kyle Friend also from the United States placed in the Semifinal defeating the Costa Ricans Daniel Dyner/Jhostin Varela 2-1 (21-14, 20-22,15-7).

The semifinals, the Bronze medal match and the Grand Final will be played this Sunday starting at 8 am.

The other results of the day were:

Hayerlin De Jesús/Oscar Martínez (DOM) d Franklin Flores/Armando Guatemala (ESA) 2-0 (21-11, 21-11), Daniel Dyner/Jhostin Varela (CRC) d Robert Naarden/Keven Sporkslede (SUR) 2- 0 (21-15, 21-12), Timothy Brewster/Kyle Friend (USA) d Tyler Penberthy/Bryce Mayer (ISV) 2-0 (21-12, 21-14), Jorge Rosario/Rolvin Maldonado (DOM) d Elkreen Morton/Clerique Ward (SKN) 2-0 (21-18, 21-19), Ricardo Galindo/Isaías Aguirre (MEX) d Rubén Mora/Jefferson Cascante (NCA) 2-1 (23-21, 15-21, 15-13), Arran Chambers/Steven Abrams (CAN) d Eddy Toro/Gregory De La Cruz (ARU) 2-0 (21-9, 21-13), Jake McNeil/William Russell (CAN) d Edgar Maldonado/Luis García (GUA) 2-0 (21-11, 21-17), Robert Harrison/Evan Cory (USA) d Jesario Ebanks/Stephen Watson (CAY) 2-0 (21-12, 21-5), Eddy Toro/ Gregory De La Cruz (ARU) d Elkreen Morton/Clerique Ward (SKN) 2-0 (21-12, 21-17), Robert Naarden/Keven Sporkslede (SUR) d Jesario Ebanks/Stephen Watson (CAY) 2-0 ( 21-12, 21-18), Franklin Flores/Armando Guatemala (ESA) d Edgar Maldonado/Luis García (GUA) 2-1 (21-19, 19-21, 15-12), Rubén Mora/Jefferson Cascante (NCA) ) d Jorge Rosario/Rolvin Maldonado (SUN) 2-0 (21-15, 21-11).

The women’s teams from the United States, Puerto Rico and Cuba advance to the Semifinals

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SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, April 6, 2024.- The couples from the United States, Puerto Rico and Cuba emerged victorious in their Quarterfinal matches of the NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour 2024, which takes place on the sand courts located in Güibia beach in Santo Domingo.

The United States couples formed by Savannah Simo/Abby Van Winkle and Hailey Harward/Kylie Kuyava-De Berg won their respective matches in this phase of the competition. Part of the competition to advance, the duo of Savannah Simo/Abby Van Winkle overcame to the Canadians Kristina Vicek/Claire Crossfield 2-0 (22-20, 21-14), while Hailey Harward/Kylie Kuyava-De Berg were victorious against the Dominicans Nallelin Taveras/Crismil Paniagua 2-0 (21-13, 21-17).

Allanis Navas/María González from Puerto Rico easily defeated the Mexican duo of Esperanza Albarrán/Evelyn Ramos 2-0 (21-16, 21-10), while Amanda Armenteros/Maykelin Drik from Cuba easily defeated the Socorro López/Lolette Rodríguez team from Nicaragua with a score of 2-0 (21-11, 21-13).

The Semifinals and medal matches will be played this Sunday starting at 8 am.

The other results were:

Nallelin Taveras/Crismil Paniagua (DOM) d Kathya Vasquez/Daniela Vigil (ESA) 2-0 (21-7, 21-18), Amanda armenteros/Maykelin Drik (CUB) d Zoureena Koningverander/Shaniva Balkaran (SUR) 2-0 (21-8, 21-11), Hailey Harward/Kylie Kuyava-De Berg (USA) d Naomi Monney/Danna Aguilar (GUA) 2-0 21-15, 21-10), Socorro López/Lolette Rodríguez (NCA) d Kristina Vicek/Claire Crossfield (CAN) 2-0 (21-14, 23-21), Dana Roskic/Calinda Kok (CAN) d Kianny Quesada/Ximena Nuñez (CRC) 2-0 (21-16, 21-11 ), Esperanza Albarrán/Evelyn Ramos (MEX) d Deajra Tulloch/Ileann Powery (CAY) 2-0 (21-8, 21-14), Allanis Navas/María González (PUR) d Susana Torres/Yeray Vidaurrazaga (MEX) 2 -0 (21-12, 21-18), Savannah Simo/Abby Van Winkle (USA) d Britney Choon/Tsyan Selvon (TTO) 2-0 (21-9, 21-7), kristina Vicek/Claire Crossfield (CAN ) d Deajra Tulloch/Ileann Powery (CAY) 2-0 (21-14, 21-17), Britney Choon/Tsyan Selvon (TTO) d Zoureena Koningverander/Shaniva Balkaran (SUR) 2-0 (21-15, 21- 7), Susana Torres/Yeray Vidaurrazaga (MEX) d Kathya Vasquez/Daniela Vigil (ESA) 2-0 (21-6, 21-8), Kianny Quesada/Ximena Núnez (CRC) d Naomi Monney/Danna Aguilar 2-0 (21-13, 21-12).

Dominicans De Jesús/Martínez undefeated on the first day

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SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, April 5, 2024.- The pair formed by Hayerling De Jesús and Oscar Martínez from the Dominican Republic won their two matches on the first day of competition of the first stage of the NORCECA Continental Beach Volleyball Tour 2024 that takes place Play on the sand courts located on Güibia beach.

In the first match the Dominican duo easily dominated Robert Naarden/Keven Sporkslede of Suriname 2-0 (21-8, 21-14), while in the second game they beat the Costa Ricans Daniel Dyner/Justin Varela 2-0 (21- 15, 21-17).

Four other couples that won their matches on the first day were Tyler Penberthy/Bryce Myers of the Virgin Islands, who defeated Elkreen Morton/Clerique Ward of Saint Kitts 2-0 (21-10, 21-10) and Jorge Rosario/Rolvin Maldonado of the Dominican Republic 2-0 (21-12, 21-15), the American pairs of Timothy Brewster/Kyle Friend who defeated the Dominicans Jorge Rosario/Rolvin Maldonado 2-1 (21-11, 18-21, 15- 13) and in the second game to Elkreen Morton/Clerique Ward of Saint Kitts 2-0 (21-6, 21-10) and the other USA pair were Wyatt Harrison/Evan Cory who beat Jake McNeil/Alexander Russell of Canada 2-1 ( 14-21, 21-16, 15-12) and the Guatemalans Edgar Maldonado/Luis García 2-0 (21-17, 21-12), while Arran Chambers/Steven Abrams of Canada beat the Mexicans Ricardo Galindo/Isaías Aguirre 2-0 (24-22, 21-19) and Rubén Mora/Jefferson Cascante of Nicaragua 2-0 (21-19, 21-17).

The competition continues this Saturday starting at 8 am with the continuation of the preliminary round, while in the afternoon the quarterfinals and position matches will be played.

Men’s first day results:

CRC Daniel Dyner/Jhostin Varela d ESA Franklin Flores/Armando Guatemala 2-0 (21-13, 21-15), NCA Rubén Mora/Jefferson Cascante d ARU Eddy Toro/Gregory De La Cruz 2-0 (21-15, 21 -12), GUA Edgar Maldonado/Luis García d CAY Jesario Ebanks/Stephen Watson 2-0 (21-17, 21-14), GUA Franklin Flores/Armando d Robert Naarden/Keven Sporkslede 2-1 (15-21, 21 -16,15-11), MEX Ricardo Galindo/Isaías Aguirre d ARU Eddy Toro/Gregory De La Cruz 2-0 (21-17, 21-14), CAN Jake McNeil/Alexander Russell d CAY Jesario Ebanks/Stephen Watson 2 -0 (21-10, 21-7).

Women’s teams from the United States, Mexico and Cuba undefeated on the first day

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SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, April 5, 2024.- The United States couples Savannah Simo/Abby Van Winkle and Hailey Harward/Kylie Kuyava-De Berg, the Cuban couple Amanda Armenteros/Maykelin Drik and the Mexicans Esperanza Albarrán/Evelyn Ramos They remained undefeated on the first day of competitions of the NORCECA Continental Beach Volleyball Tour Güibia 2024.

The Americans Hailey Harward/Kylie Kuyava-De Berg defeated the Canadians Kristina Vicek/Claire Crossfield 2-0 (21-12, 21-5) in their first match, and in the second match they defeated the Nicaraguans Socorro López/Lolette Rodríguez by 2-0 (21-14,21-10), while the other couple from the United States Savannah Simo/Abby Van Winkle beat Allanis Navas/María Rodríguez from Puerto Rico in their first match by 2-0 (22-20 , 21-13) and her second victory of the day was against Susana Torres/Yeray Vidaurrazaga of Mexico by 2-1 (21-15, 16-21,15-13).

The other pairs that also won their two matches were the Cubans Amanda Armenteros/Maykelin Drik who beat Kathya Vasquez/Daniela Vigil from El Salvador in the first match by 2-0 (21-11, 21-10), while In the second they beat the Dominicans Nallelin Taveras/Crismil Paniagua 2-1 (16-21, 21-15, 15-11) and the Mexicans Esperanza Albarrán/Evelyn Ramos who beat the Canadians Dana Roskic/Calinda Kok 2-1 (21-17, 18-21, 15-9) and Kianny Quesada/Ximena Núñez of Costa Rica 2-0 (21-11, 21-14).

This Saturday the preliminary round continues starting at 8 am and in the afternoon the quarterfinals and position matches will be played.

Women’s results day 1:

DOM Nallelin Taveras/Crismil Paniagua d SUR Zoureena Koningverander/Shaniva Balkaran 2-0 (21-15, 21-7), NCA Socorro López/Lolette Rodríguez d GUA Naomi Monney/Danna Aguilar 2-0 (21-11, 21-18 ), CRC Kianny Quesada/Ximena Núñez d CAY Deajra Tulloch/Ileann Powery 2-0 (21-13, 21-12), MEX Susana Torres/Yeray Vidaurrazaga d TTO Britney Choon/Tsyan Selvon 2-0 (21-12, 21 -17), ESA Kathya Vasquez/Daniela Vigil d SUR Zoureena Koningverander/Shaniva Balkaran 2-0 (21-8, 21-12), GUA Naomi Monney/Danna Aguilar d CAN Kristina Vicek/Claire Crossfield 2-1 (21-18 , 17-21, 15-12), CAN Dana Roskic/Calinda Kok d CAY Deajra Tulloch/Ileann Powery 2-0 (21-14, 21-8), PUR Allanis Navas/María Rodríguez d TTO Britney Choon/Tsyan Selvon 2 -0 (21-3, 21-8).

16 countries will compete in the 2024 Güibia NORCECA Tour

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SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, April 4, 2024.- A total of 16 countries will be taking action at the first stop of the 2024 NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour that will start this year in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

32 teams, 16 men and 16 women, confirmed their participation during the preliminary inspection held this Thursday seeking to advance from the preliminary group stage that begins this Friday at 8:00 am on the sand courts located on Güibia Beach in Santo Domingo .

The tournament consists of three days of competitions. On the first day of competition, 32 matches will be played, 16 matches per gender. The quarterfinals and semifinals will take place on Saturday and medal matches will be held on Sunday.

Teams:

Women’s Teams: CAN Roskic/Kok, Vicek/Crossfield; CAY Tulloch/Powery; CRC Quesada/Núñez; CUB Amanda/Drik; DOM Taveras/Paniagua; ESA Vasquez/Vigil; GUA Monney/Aguilar; MEX Albarrán/Ramos, Torres/Vidaurrazaga; NCA López/Lolette; PUR Navas/González; SOUTH Koningverander/Balkaran; TTO Choon/Selvon; USA Harward/DeBerg, Savvy/Van Winkle.

Men’s Teams: ARU Toro/De La Cruz; CAN Chambers/Abrams, McNeil/Russell; CAY Jesario/Watson; CRC Dyner/Varela; DOM De Jesús/Martínez, Rosario/Maldonado; ESA Flores/Guatemala; GUA Maldonado/García; MEX Galindo/Aguirre; NCA Mora/Cascante; SKN Morton/Clerique; SOUTH Naarden/Sporkslede; USA Brewster/Friend, Harrison/Cory; ISV Penberthy/Mayer.

Santo Domingo will host the First Event of the 2024 NORCECA Tour

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SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, April 1, 2024. – The 2024 season of the NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour will kick off at Güibia Beach on the Santo Domingo Pier in Dominican Republic.

The first stop of the 2024 NORCECA Tour in Güibia Beach will take place from April 5-7, featuring 32 teams (16 per gender) representing 15 countries from the Americas and the Caribbean. During the technical meeting scheduled for April 4, the official team registration and group distribution will be announced.

This is the first of three events leading up to the 2024 NORCECA Continental Tour Finals (May 11-15), which offers the opportunity to qualify for the NORCECA Continental Olympic Qualification Finals (June 19-24).

According to the NORCECA Beach Volleyball Paris 2024 Olympic Qualification System, in which it was established that a series of three (3) NORCECA Beach Tour Finals in 2022, 2023 and 2024, will qualify 12 National Federations per gender for the 2024 NORCECA Continental Beach Volleyball Olympic Qualification Finals foreseen to be held in the city of Tlaxcala, Mexico on June 19-24, 2024, and will qualify two teams (one per gender) for the Olympic Games.

At least seven dates are scheduled on the 2024 NORCECA Tour calendar: 2024 NORCECA Beach Tour

FIVB Beach Volleyball Course in Tobago

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SCARBOROUGH, Trinidad and Tobago, March 25th, 2024.- An international Beach Volleyball Coaching Course started on Sunday at the Courland Beach Volleyball Facility constructed for the 2023 Youth Commonwealth Games in Black Rock Tobago.

The course that has thirty (30) participants is organized by the Trinidad and Tobago Volleyball Federation (TTVF) and will conclude on March 28th kicked off with a small opening ceremony chaired by TTVF President, Daymian Stewart expressing the importance of this program to the TTVF’s strategic plan of the Trinidad and Tobago Volleyball Federation, which has as its major milestone the qualification for the 2032 Olympic Games Beach Volleyball in Brisbane.

Also, former NAAA’s boss and SPORTT Company member Mr. Ephraim Serrette greeted the participants and echoed the sentiments of President Stewart about the importance of this development work towards the achieving the desired goals of the federation.

TTOC General Secretary Ms. Annette Knott as the key speaker, welcomed this positive activity in her native Tobago and encouraged the continued use of the facility in Black Rock. She also disclosed that the Olympic movement is already in talks with the TTVF on a next development project for under 19 athletes from around the Caribbean.

FIVB Instructor Rick Bevis during practical session

The final speaker was Mr. Rick Bevis of Vancouver Island University, Canada, the instructor assigned by the international body FIVB. Mr. Bevis expressed his pleasure of attending this course in Tobago and he is happy to be given the opportunity to deliver his knowledge to eager coaches.

Also in attendance was World Cup footballer and THA representative Mr. Cyd Gray and Trinidad and Tobago Senior Beach Coach Mr. David Thomas serving as the assistant instructor.

The participants included two (2) foreigners on Scholarship from NORCECA from Grenada and St. Vincent and Seventeen (17) participants are from Tobago.

The course will close on Holy Thursday with a written and practical examination. The Minister of Sport and Community Development, the Honorable Shamfa Cudjoe-Lewis is expected to address the closing ceremony of the course held in her constituency.

The TTVF expresses its gratitude to the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, The Tobago House of Assembly, E-IDCOT, Zen Sanctuary Condos, YMCA, FIVB, CAZOVA and NORCECA for all the support.

Cuba and Canada win Silver in Recife Challenge Beach Pro Tour

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RECIFE, Brazil, March 25, 2024.- Cuba’s Jorge Alayo and Noslen Díaz and Canada’s Heather Bansley and Sophie Bukovec earned a silver medal on Sunday at the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Recife Challenge tournament in Brazil.

Brazilians Evandro Gonçalves and Arthur Lanci took full advantage of their first home event in Recife, with a 2-0 (21-15, 21-18) win over Alayo and Díaz in front of a packed center court.

Alayo and Díaz earned their way to the finals winning 2-0 over Argentina’s Capogrosso/Capogrosso in the Round of 16, 2-0 against Canada’s Schachter/Dearing in quarterfinals and 2-0 over Bello/Bello from England in semifinals.

While in the women’s field, Latvia’s Anastasija Samoilova and Tina Graudina won the gold-medal match 2-0 (21-18, 21-17) over the Canadians tandem.

Canada came up from the qualifying round to have an almost perfect tournament, including a 2-0 win in semifinals over Ittlinger/Borger of Germany.

Many of the teams competing in Brazil are earning important points towards Paris 2024 Olympic berths. In each gender, 17 spots will be obtained through the Olympic ranking until the June 9 deadline and high-level Beach Pro Tour events offer points towards that ranking.

The battle to qualify for this summer’s Olympics is set to have another chapter in Brazil as the country will host another Beach Pro Tour Challenge event next week, with teams heading south to Saquarema, where they will compete from Thursday to Sunday.

Lima will be the Host City of the 2027 Pan American Games

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MIAMI, United States, March 12, 2024 .- In a close vote at the Extraordinary General Assembly, the Peruvian capital was chosen by the member countries of Panam Sports with 28 votes in favor, as the city that will host the continental event.

“We are happy for this triumph. We will work to make everyone’s experience the best they have had, and you have the absolute devotion of more than 33 million Peruvians. Thank you for trusting us”, said the President of the Peruvian Olympic Committee, Renzo Manyari.

After two intense months of candidacy, today the city that will organize the next Pan American Games 2027 was finally chosen.

At 9:00 am (ET), the Extraordinary General Assembly of Panam Sports began, which featured the official presentations of the candidate cities Lima and Asunción from Miami, United States.

Both cities had a 40-minute presentation led by the Presidents of the Olympic Committees of Peru and Paraguay, Renzo Manyari and Camilo Pérez respectively. They showed videos, messages from their main authorities, and then submitted questions from participating member countries.

After that, the virtual voting took place, a process that was handled by the British company Lumi. After a few minutes, the President of the Legal Commission of Panam Sports, Michael Chambers, handed the envelope of the winning city to the highest authority of the continental organization.

“The city that will host the next Pan American Games 2027 with 28 votes in favor is… Lima, Peru”, said the President of Panam Sports, Neven Ilic.

Joy erupted among the representatives of Lima and throughout Peru. After organizing the XVIII Pan American Games in 2019 in a great way, the most important multi-sport event of the continent returns to Peruvian lands in 2027.

“I want to highlight the transparency of the process and the brotherhood of both nations that competed healthily for the right to host the 2027 Pan American Games. I want to congratulate Lima, the Peruvian Olympic Committee, and its president Renzo Manyari, and all of Peru for this tremendous achievement. A few years ago, they made an entire continent vibrate and today, with more experience and spectacular infrastructure, they want to repeat or improve the success achieved in 2019”,  said the President of Panam Sports, Neven Ilic.

“I also take this opportunity to congratulate Paraguay and President Camilo Pérez. They are doing a great job with Paraguayan sports and their athletes, so my call is for them to continue growing and developing. They have a tremendous challenge ahead with the Pan American Junior Games in 2025, where I am sure they will be great hosts for the entire continent”, added Ilic.

For his part, the President of the Peruvian Olympic Committee was emphatic in stating that “We are happy for this triumph. We will work to make everyone’s experience the best they have had, and you have the absolute devotion of more than 33 million Peruvians. Thank you for trusting us. Thanks also to President Dina Boluarte and her unwavering support for this candidacy. Together We Win!”

Lima or Asunción? The Americas Elect the Host City of the 2027 Pan American Games

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Tomorrow, March 12, the city that will host the continental event in 2027 will be elected in a vote in which all the National Olympic Committees members of Panam Sports will participate.
 
A total of 40 countries will participate in the Extraordinary General Assembly, with a total of 52 votes. Panam Sports Channel will be the official and exclusive channel for this election.

Miami, March 11, 2024.- We are just a few hours away from announcing the host city of the next 2027 Pan American Games.
 
This Tuesday, at the Extraordinary General Assembly of Panam Sports that will be held virtually for all member countries, the election that will define the winning city will be carried out.
 
The Executive Board and representatives of the candidate cities of Lima and Asuncion will be in Miami. The rest of the participants, Presidents and Secretaries General of the National Olympic Committees, will connect by zoom.
 
Each of the candidate cities will have 40 minutes to make a presentation to the Assembly, and then time will be given for questions and answers from the member countries.
 
After the presentations from Lima and Asuncion, the vote will be held. There are 40 member countries with a total of 52 votes, as the Constitution provides that each country that has hosted the Pan American Games is entitled to two votes.
 
The election of the host city will be carried out by secret ballot. The winning candidate city will need a majority of votes cast by the NOC members of Panam Sports present at the General Assembly with the right to vote.
 
“We are very happy with the way that this process has turned out. There is a lot of expectation, as we have two great cities of our continent competing for the honor of hosting the 2027 Pan American Games. I am sure that whoever wins this Tuesday will give everything for the success of our Games”, said the Panam Sports President, Neven Ilic.
 
To ensure the transparency and success of the process, Panam Sports hired the services of renowned British company Lumi, an expert in virtual elections that has worked with the International Olympic Committee and International Federations.

It should be noted that the Extraordinary General Assembly in which the host city of the 2027 Pan American Games will be elected will be broadcast live and exclusively for the entire world through the Panam Sports Channel, starting at 9:00 a.m. (Eastern time).
 
The following is the detailed program of the Extraordinary General Assembly:
 
• Opening of the Extraordinary General Assembly. Remarks by Jimena Saldaña, Secretary General of Panam Sports and Roll Call
• Welcome remarks by President Neven Ilic
• Panam Sports Evaluation Commission Report
• Questions and answers
• City 1 – Presentation
• Questions and answers
• City 2 – Presentation
• Questions and answers
• Voting
• Remarks by President Neven Ilic and announcement of the voting’s results
• Remarks by the President of the National Olympic Committee of the elected city
• Closing remarks
• Closing of the Extraordinary General Assembly
 
Note: The order of presentation of the candidate cities will be determined through a draw that will be held today, March 11, 2024, at the Executive Board meeting

Canada takes silver in Doha

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DOHA, Qatar, March 9, 2024.- Canada’s Melissa Humana-Paredes and Brandie Wilkerson take home a silver medal from the first Elite 16 of the year at the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour stop in Doha,  and Sara Hughes alongside Kelly Cheng of the United States take the bronze.

Melissa & Brandie knocked out two powerful Brazilian pairs on the way to the final but stopped short of beating a third one Bárbara Seixas and Carol Salgado in the gold medal showdown. Seventh-seeded Barbara & Carol showed a solid performance against the fourth-seeded Canadians and mastered a 2-0 (21-18, 21-18) shutout to lift the trophy in the Qatari capital.

“It was a hard-fought week of great competition. It feels great to be back on tour playing against the best,” said Humana-Paredes. “We had a tough pre-season preparing for this, so we’re happy to see the things we worked on in action. A big team effort! Would have loved a better showing in the finals but the positive is we have a lot of good to take back home and work on.”

Melissa Humana-Paredes and Brandie Wilkerson

The field in Doha, Qatar, was packed with top-ranking teams. Canada is currently ranked fourth in the world.

Canada defeated number-one ranked Eduarda Santos Lisboa (Duda) & Ana Patricia Ramos of Brazil in the quarterfinals and then in the semis, Melissa/Brandie beat Anastasija Samoilova and Tina Graudina of Latvia 2-1 to advance.  

Hughes/Cheng of USA, reigning world champions who are already qualified for Paris 2024, won the bronze-medal match over Latvia’s Anastasija Samoilova & Tina Graudina on the way to a 2-0 (21-15, 21-18) sweep. For the reigning world champions, the Doha bronze was the pair’s first ever on the Beach Pro Tour. They also have five golds and a silver on their record.

Sara Hughes alongside Kelly Cheng of the United States


Beach volleyball rankings: https://en.volleyballworld.com/beachvolleyball/world-ranking/women

VW Beach Pro Tour Doha Elite16: all results

NORCECA/FIVB Regional Development Center Announces 2024 Courses

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SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, February 27, 2023 – The NORCECA/FIVB Regional Volleyball Development Center in Santo Domingo announces the upcoming courses to be held in-person and in both languages.

International Courses for Volleyball Coaches

Level 1: May 7-11

Level 3: June 4-11

Level 2: October 1-5

International Courses for Beach Volleyball Coaches

Level 1: August 20-24

Continental Courses for Physical Education Teachers

Date: October 23-25

For more information and registration, please email centrofivb_rdom@yahoo.es or text via  WhatsApp at 809-563-5642.

Clercent and Descartes rally to win gold in men’s play

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CASTRIES, St Lucia, February 25, 2024.- St. Lucia Team One, represented by Joseph Clercent and Sheldon Descartes were  required to come from a set down to take gold in the Men’s Final of Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) Senior Beach Volleyball Tournament here at the Cul de Sac Bay.

In an all St Lucia finale, Clercent and Descartes, beat the St Lucia Team Two, composed of Rio Victor and Darnell Eudoxie, 2-1 (14-21, 21-15, 15-4).

Experienced showed when it mattered most, as Clercent and Descartes, with their title on the line, kept their composure, clawing back after trailing.

They, thus played unbeaten in the Tournament, finishing with five wins.

Both Clercent and Descartes were happy that they were able to maintain their hold on the title, stating that their experienced counted.

“We have the experience, the knowledge and we have the game ethics, hence we were able to outpower them with our shots. We attacked them mentally and that broke down the younger players and we were able to capitalize on them”, Clercent assessed.

Meanwhile, Descartes is pleased that younger players are coming through.

“I like that we are seeing new talents coming through which means that more Volleyball is being played in those countries, hence, I am encouraging the young players to play Beach Volleyball, as it will help them in their indoor or court game”, Descartes said.

Before reaching the final, Clercent and Descartes had earlier in the day three, saw off St Lucia’s Team Three of Jevauny Roberts and Peter Emmanuel,  2-0(21-12, 21-11), as they dueled in the quarter finals.

They then had a 2-0 (21-16, 21-16) trumping  over the St Vincent and the Grenadines duo of  Jamaar Cropper and Ronaldo Franklyn, in the semi-finals.

Meanwhile, Victor and Eudoxie beat Antigua and Barbuda’s Adrian Constant and Jamarie James 2-0 (21-19, 21-14) in their semifinal pairing. Before that, they overcame St Kitts and Nevis’ duo of  Elkreen Morton and Clerique Ward  2-1( 21-16, 18-21, 15-10) in the quarter final.

 In other quarter final results, Constant and James had a 2-0 ( 21-19, 21-14) win over Grenada’s  Darren Oxford and Isaac Nelson, while  Cropper/ Franklyn in combination beat Yahn Florent and Ray Robinson of Dominica 2-0(21-17, 21-11).

St Vincent and the Grenadines took the bronze medal, as Cropper and Franklyn outdid  Constant and James, 2-0 (21-16, 23-21)

The other teams that sought honours in the  tournament were Bermuda, Dominica Team Two, British Virgin Islands and Anguilla.

Grenada women mine ECVA gold at Cul de Sac

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CASTRIES, St Lucia, February 25, 2024.-  The pair of Thornia Mitchell and  Renisha Stafford took gold, as Grenada bossed the women’s segment of the Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) Senior Beach Volleyball Tournament here at the Cul de Sac Bay.

Mitchell and Stafford on day three of the tournament, kept their perfect record intact, defeating St Lucia’s  Team One of Chenoa Evans and Denila Prospere 2-1( 22-10, 17-21, 15-9) in the final to take the gold medal.

The  Grenadians thus avenged their loss in the 2023 final, as they fell to Evans and Prospere.

Commenting on the victory, Mitchell put it down to composure.

“ For us, it was about assuring each other. We were there for each and pushed ourselves”, she outlined.

Noting that it was always their ambition to be at the top of the podium, Mitchell related, “We came here with the main intention to execute and that is what we did. We are proud of ourselves. This a moment for us and for Grenada to win an ECVA title. It is a dream come true”.

En route to the final, Mitchell and Stafford won 2-0( 21-17 , 21-17) over Bermuda’s Megan Hands and Hailey Moss in the semifinals and overcame Saquanna Duncan and Shanadia Sylvester of St Vincent and the Grenadines 2-0( 21-9, 21-16 )) ,

On the other hand, Evans and Propere beat Dominica’s Zahidu  Henry and Nyla Edmund  21-9, 21-5 in the semifinals. This after they had taken care of  Antigua’s pair of  Sharifa Simmons and Jassania Joseph 2-0 ( 21-9, 21-13) in the quarter finals.

The other quarter finals saw Henry and Edmund  outlasting Tenayshestigni Joseph and Clio Phillip, representing St Lucia Team Two 2-1 (21-12, 19-21, 18–16) in their match up, while Hands and  Moss defeated St Kitts and Nevis’ Shanella and Shania Harris 2-1(21-9, 11-21, 16-14).

Also,  on day three, the British Virgin Island’s team of  Zoe Richards and Makalia Powell defeated  Anguilla’s  Deandra Flemming  and Lavesha Richardson  2-0( 21-16, 21-10), in the match to determine the ninth and tenth places.

And, Dominica’s Henry/ Edmund  took bronze defeating Bermuda’s Hands/ Moss 2-0 (21-11, 21-17).

St Lucia Team One and Grenada perfect in Women’s title race

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CASTRIES, St Lucia, February 24, 2024.-  St Lucia Team One, represented by Chenoa Evans and Denila Prospere and the Grenadian pair of Thornia Mitchell and Renisha Stafford, head into the quarter finals of the Women’s segment of the Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) Senior Beach Volleyball Tournament here at the Cul de Sac Bay, undefeated.

After day two, Evans and Prospere  led Group A with 4:0 win/loss ratio, with Mitchell and Stafford also having four wins from as many matches, to top Group A , at the end of the preliminary round.

In day two action, Evans and Prospere beat Saquanna Duncan and Shanadia Sylvester of St Vincent and the Grenadines 2-0( 21-15, 21-13)) , but were taken to three sets by Dominica’s Zahidu Henry and Nyla Edmund, winning 2-1(21-8, 17-21, 15-12)

Mitchell and Stafford were more clinical in their two matches on the day, registering 2-0 wins over Anguilla’s  Deandra Flemming  and Lavesha Richardson  21-14, 21-7, as well as the St Kitts pair of Shanella and Shania Harris, 21-5, 21-9.

Other results from day two, St Lucia Team Two,  of Tenayshestigni Joseph and Clio Phillip beat Antigua’s Sharifa Simmons and Jassania Joseph 2-0 (21-10, 21-12), as well as the Harris’ of St Kitts, 2-0( 22-20, 21-14)

St Vincent and the Grenadines’ Duncan and Sylvester won their first match, beating the British Virgin Islands’ pair of Zoe Richards and Makalia Powell 2-0 ( 21-13, 21-14)

Richards and Powell were also beaten by Bermuda’s Megan Hands and Hailey Moss 2-0 (21-10, 21-14) . The combination of Hands and Moss also had  a 2-0 ( 23-21, 21-15) triumph over Dominica’s Henry and Edmund.

And, Simmons and Joseph saw off Flemming and Richardson, 21-15, 21-11, to record their lone win.

The quarter finals pairings see St Lucia Team One versus Antigua and Barbuda; Bermuda faces St Kitts and Nevis, with Grenada taking on St Vincent and the Grenadines and Dominica meets St Lucia Team Two.

The minor place pits the British Virgin Islands and Anguilla in a battle for the ninth and tenth position.

Meanwhile, the semifinals match ups show the winner between St Lucia Team One meeting the winner of the Dominica versus St Lucia Two match , and the winner of the St Vincent and the Grenadines versus Grenada encounter, faces either Bermuda or St Kitts and Nevis.

The winners of the semifinals advance to the gold medal match and the losers in the third place.

Grand stand finish looms as Men chase ECVA title

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CASTRIES, St Lucia, February 24, 2024.- A grand stand finish looms as quarter finalists in the Men’s segment of the Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) Senior Beach Volleyball Tournament here at the Cul de Sac Bay, have been decided, after eight matches that were completed on day two.

St Kitts and Nevis winners of Group A, will face off against St Lucia Team Two , while St Lucia Team One,  who took Group B will oppose St Lucia Team Three.

Group C winners- St Vincent and the Grenadines  will take on  Dominica  Team One and  Grenada, winners of Group D faces Antigua and Barbuda.

In the final set of group matches, St Kitts and Nevis pair of Elkreen Morton and Clerique  Ward  beat Dominica’s  Yahn Florent and Ray Robinson 2-0 ( 21-17, 21-13) to maintain their unbeaten run.

But a little more challenge was on offer for the St Lucia Team One of Sheldon Descartes and Joseph Clercent who had to dig deep to ward off  Bermuda’s Kyle  Hamilton and Benjamin  Barnett 2-1( 21-8, 27-29, 15-9)  to also register their second win in as many matches.

To top Group C, St Vincent and the Grenadines pair of Jamaar Cropper and Ronaldo Franklyn had a hard -fought 2-0 ( 21-17, 23- 21) triumph over Antigua and Barbuda’s Adrian Constant and  Jamarie James, with Darron Oxford and Isaac Nelson of Grenada comfortably defeating  Anguilla’s Aiden Hazzard  and Da’ Qwan Fredericks 2-0( 21-11, 21-15).

It was Anguilla’s second loss for the day, as they were beaten by St Lucia’s Team Three of Jevauny Roberts and Peter Emmanuel, 2-0 ( 21-14, 21-16)

In the play offs to decided the other quarter finalists Rio Victor and Darnell Eudoxie of St Lucia Team Two ousted the Dominica Team Two combination of Bill Frederick and  Mervin Mingo 2-1 ( 21-15, 17-21, 15-12)

Antigua and Barbuda’s Constant and James, overcame Bermuda’s Hamilton and Barnett 2-0 (21-18, 21-19) and Dominica’s Florent and Robinson Anguilla’s Hazzard  and Fredericks 2-0( 21-9, 21-14).

Also advancing from the play off was St Lucia Team Three represented by Jevauny Roberts and  Peter Emmanuel. They beat the British Virgin Islands’ J’adon George and Jose Ramirez 2-0( 21-12, 21-13).

The semifinals will feature the winner between St Lucia Team Two and  St Kitts and Nevis versus either Antigua and Barbuda or Grenada, and the winners of the  St Lucia Team One versus St Lucia Team Three, against the St Vincent and the Grenadines/ Dominica duel.

A mouth- watering final pits the winners of the semi-finals, while the losers battle for the consolation third place.

Honours even in Men’s play on day one

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CASTRIES, St Lucia, February 23, 2024:  Honours were even on day one of the Men’s segment of the Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) Senior Beach Volleyball Tournament here at the Cul de Sac Bay.

Spreading across all four groups, seven matches were decided, with five registered 2-0 wins, while  two needed a third set.

In  Group B, defending pair, Joseph Clercent and Sheldon Descartes beat Dominica Team Two representatives, Mervin Mingo and Bill Frederick, 2-0 (21-14, 21-8).

Also,  in Group B, Bermuda’s  Kyle Hamilton and Benjamin Barnett defeated Mingo and Fredrick, 2-1(16-21, 21-8, 15-13).

The tale was similar in Group A, as St Kitts and Nevis’ Elkreen Morton and Cleric Ward stopped the British Virgin Islands’ duo of J’adon George and  Jose Ramirez 2-0 (21- 6, 21-6).

Then, Yahn Florent and Ray Robinson, who formed Dominica’s Team One, had a comfortable 2-0 ( 21-5, 21-4) triumph over George and Ramirez.

Likewise, Group C hosted two matches. St Vincent and the Grenadines’  Jamaar Cropper and Ronaldo Franklyn defeated St Lucia Team Two’s Darnell Rio Victor  and Darnell Eudoxie 2-1( 20-22, 21-17, 15-13).

However, Victor and Eudoxie rebounded to go past Jamarie James and Adrian Constant 2-0 ( 25-23, 21-16).

And, the lone match in Group D, saw Grenada’s Darron Oxford and Isaac Nelson, recording a 2-0( 23-21, 21-13) trumping at the expense of St Lucia Team Three’s  Jevauny Roberts and Peter Emmanuel.

Day Two  Group Fixtures

Group A:  Morton/ Ward vs Florent/ Robinson

Group B: Hamilton/ Benjamin vs Descartes/ Florent

Group C: James/ Constant vs Cropper/ Franklyn

Group D: Roberts/ Emmanuel vs Aiden Hazzard / Da’ Qwan Fredericks( Anguilla)

Hazzard/ Fredericks vs Oxford/ Nelson

Following the remainder of matches in the Group stage, the second and third places in the four groups will duel for four quarter final places.

The winners of the group advance directly to the quarter finals.

Four women’s duos steady on day one in St Lucia

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CASTRIES, St Lucia, February 23, 2024:  St Lucia Team One, St Kitts and Nevis, Dominica and Grenada Women’s outfits, left day one of the  Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) Senior Beach Volleyball Tournament here at the Cul de Sac Bay, with two wins under their belts.

The St Lucian pair of Denila Prospere and Chenao Evans, beat Zoe Richards and Makalia Powell of the British Virgin Islands 2-0 ( 21-13, 21-11), before ousting Bermuda’s Megan Hands/ Hailey Moss, 2-0 ( 21-9, 21-14).

Also,  in Group A,  Dominica’s Zahidu Henry and Nyla Edmund, defeated the British Virgin Islands’ pair of Richards and Powell,  2-0 (21-10, 21-19), then handed a  2-0(21-16, 21-15) defeat to Vincentians Shanadia Sylvester and Saquanna Duncan.

Meanwhile, St Kitts and Nevis and Grenada recorded their double wins in Group B.

The St Kitts and Nevis’ duo of Shanella Harris/ Shania Harris,  defeated Antigua and Barbuda’s ,  Jassania Joseph and Sharifa Simmons,  2-0 (21-13, 21-6), as well as Anguilla’s Deandra Flemming  and Lavesha Richardson 2-0 ( 21-18, 21-15).

Likewise, Grenada’s Thornia Mitchell and Renisha Stafford beat St Lucia Team Two, comprising Jemima Evans and Clio Phillip, 2-0 (21-14, 21-17),  then continued their winnings ways over Antigua’s Joseph and Simmons, also 2-0 (21-13, 21-12).

In other day one results, Bermuda beat St Vincent and the Grenadines 2-0 (21-13, 21-12) and St Lucia Team Two defeated Anguilla,  2-0 (21-15, 21-13).

Group A fixtures for day two: Bermuda vs British Virgin Islands, St Vincent and the Grenadines vs St Lucia Team One, Bermuda vs Dominica, St Vincent and the Grenadines vs British Virgin Islands, and St Lucia vs Dominica.

And, Group B matches pit St Lucia Team Two vs St Kitts and Nevis, Grenada vs Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda vs St Lucia Team Two, St Kitts and Nevis vs Grenada and Anguilla versus Antigua and Barbuda.

ECVA host biggest Beach Tournament

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CASTRIES, St Lucia, February 22, 2024: Twelve men’s teams and  ten women’s  teams battle for  supremacy  in the 2024 Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) Senior Beach Volleyball Tournament here at the Cul de Sac Bay.

Twelve teams are slotted in the Men’s segment. In Group A are St Kitts and Nevis, Dominica and the British Virgin Islands. Making up Group B are St Lucia Team One, Bermuda and Dominica Team Two, with St Vincent and the Grenadines, St Lucia Team Three, along with Antigua and Barbuda, composing Group C. And, completing the lot, are Grenada, Anguilla and St Lucia Team Three, are stashed in Group D.

Meanwhile, the women’s teams have been placed into two groups. In Group A are St Vincent and the Grenadines, St Lucia Team One, the British Virgin Islands, Dominica and Bermuda.  Comprising Group B are duos representing St Lucia Team Two, Grenada, Anguilla, St Kitts and Nevis and Antigua and Barbuda.

St Lucia trumped both segments in 2023, when sixteen teams contested for honours. The pair of Sheldon Descartes and Joseph Clercent beat the St Kitts and Nevis’ St Clair Hodge and Shawn Seabrookes, in straight sets, 2-0 in the final.

In the women’s title match, Denila Prospere and Chenao Evans kept the Grenadian duo of  Thornia Mitchell and Renisha Stafford, at bay, to win 2-1.

And, the defending champions are more than confident of retaining their titles.

The seasoned Clercent, underscored that whenever he enters the court, he has one aim and that is to win.

 “ We are going out their to do our best … When we go out to play Volleyball, we go out to play and win”, Clercent commented.

Likewise, Chenao Evans believes she and Prospere have what it takes to take the gold medal again.

“ We are seeing some new faces who were not here last year, but winning is always what is first and foremost on our minds… My partner and I are confident of coming out on top once more and with the home support we can do it.

The format of the men’s category sees the tops in each of the four groups earning direct places to the quarter finals, whilst the other eight will engage in play offs for the other four spots.

Among the women, the top four teams in each group head to the quarter- finals, whilst the fifth places will vie for the ninth and tenth spots.

Eight matches are carded for the opening day in men’s play, while ten are to be decided among the women.

The playing days for the tournament are February 23 to 25.

AFECAVOL Confirms Working Commissions

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TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras, February 1, 2024. – AFECAVOL Executive Committee and Delegates held a Virtual Session to confirm the Working Commissions, a structure which was established in November 2020.

“Working together for the well-being of our region has been a constant effort by AFECAVOL members”,  said AFECAVOL President, Félix Sabio, in his opening words. “As we start a new year, we ask for the Working Commissions of AFECAVOL to review their performance to strengthen their functions with the knowledge of each of its members”.

AFECAVOL replicated the Working Commissions of NORCECA, aiming to structure the path towards volleyball development and its members, who are projected to expand their knowledge beyond the Central American region.

Félix Sabio emphasized that this year, the NORCECA Congress will be held, where its Working  Commissions will be confirmed, “all NORCECA Commissions have members from AFECAVOL who will be reaffirmed during the congress, and proposals for new members will be presented from our region, providing opportunities for their professional development”.

During the session, coordinators for each AFECAVOL Working Commission were confirmed: Sports Organization Commission: Lic. Félix Sabio; Technical and Coaching Commission: Prof. René Quintana; Development Commission: Ing. Allan Sharp; Beach Volleyball Commission: Ing. Bertha Cuadra; Referee Commission: Prof. Marvin Mora; Press Commission: Lic. Carolina Rivas; VIS Commission: Ing. Judith Sandino; Medical Commission: Dr. Juan Carlos Rodas; Marketing Commission: Lic. Cinthya Velásquez; Legal Commission: Mr. Carlos Enrique Santis; Athletes Commission: Luis Membreño

The importance of the benefits of NORCECA and FIVB support plans for National Federations was highlighted during the meeting, which aims to progressively reduce the competitive gap among the Zonal Associations.

Each Working Commission will present its proposals on February 22 to meet its objectives for the year, which has many competitions and elaborating a schedule that allows proper preparation is a must,  taking in account that each Commission member will undertake their task responsibly.

Félix Sabio concluded the session expressing his gratitude for the commitment of all delegates, stating, “this will be a year of many successes for Central American volleyball”.

Continental Referee Courses Opening ceremony

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SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, January 19, 2024. – With the participation of 18 Indoor Volleyball referees and 10 Beach Volleyball referees, the continental referee courses were inaugurated at the Olympic housing facilities in Puerto Rico and the Beach Volleyball courts in the city of Guayama.

These courses are sponsored by the NORCECA Confederation, led by Cristóbal Marte, and the Puerto Rican Volleyball Federation, presided by Dr. César Trabanco, under the coordination of the NORCECA/FIVB Regional Volleyball Development Center directed by Professor Nelson José Ramírez.

Indoor Referees

During his opening speech, Dr. Trabanco expressed, “I am pleased with the confidence that NORCECA has placed in the Puerto Rican Federation to host these important courses, with the participation of referees from 14 member countries of our Confederation and I am committed  to always support the Development Center in organizing more training sessions like these”.

Professor Nelson Ramírez said, “knowledge is the key to development, and therefore, Cristóbal Marte is willing to provide NORCECA’s support. I appreciate the effort of the Puerto Rican Federation for hosting more training courses”.

Beach Volleyball Referees

In their opening remarks, instructors Guy Bradbury and Andre Trottier also stated that as soon as they were notified by Professor Ramírez about these courses, they accepted the invitation to come to Puerto Rico, a country with a great tradition in the world volleyball family, to share their knowledge and experiences in refereeing within NORCECA and the FIVB, expressing their desire for all participants to achieve their goals”.

Guy Bradbury instructor

The course will conclude on January 24 with the presentation of certificates to the participants.

Andre Trottier, instructor

2024 Volleyball Canada Beach National Teams

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TORONTO, Ontario, January 19, 2024.- Volleyball Canada’s 2024 National Beach Volleyball Team includes the world’s number four-ranked duo of Melissa Humana-Paredes and Brandie Wilkerson. Rounding out the senior carded athletes are two-time Olympian Sarah Pavan (who plays on the tour with Molly McBain) and 2022 World silver medalist Sophie Bukovec, who plays on the tour with Heather Bansley, another two-time Olympian.

On the men’s side, Canada’s top-ranked team is Sam Schachter (2016 Olympian) and Dan Dearing.

The athletes listed below make up the 2024 Canadian Beach Volleyball Team.

In May 2024, approximately 28 additional Beach National Team Summer Program athletes (16 men and 12 women) will be selected for four months of carding. 

Teams play on the Beach Pro Tour and/or the NORCECA Tour. Canada will host a Beach Pro Tour stop Elite 16 event in Montreal late this summer; and a Futures event in Halifax, NS, in late August.

Canada’s Olympic team will not be confirmed until mid-summer.

For Paris 2024, the winners of the World Championships have already qualified, as well as the host nation (France). The international race for the remaining Olympic spots started at the beginning of 2023 and is about to heat up in 2024 when 17 duos per gender secure spots under the Eiffel Tower through the Olympic Ranking, based on each pair’s best 12 performances in qualifying events between January 1, 2023 and June 10, 2024. Meanwhile, another five teams per gender will make the cut as winners of the five Continental Olympic tournaments, which are scheduled between June 13 and 23.
 
Senior National Team Carded
Sarah Pavan (Kitchener, ON)
Melissa Humana-Paredes (Toronto, ON) 
Brandie Wilkerson (Toronto, ON)              
Sophie Bukovec (Toronto, ON)

Full-Time Training Carded (Senior B/Next Gen)
Women
Molly McBain (Toronto, ON)
Heather Bansley (Waterdown, ON)
Lea Monkhouse (Mississauga, ON)
Marie-Alex Bélanger (Saint-Alphonse-Rodriguez, QC)
Amy Ozee (Maui, HI, USA)
Anna Licht (Toronto, ON)
Men
Sam Schachter (Richmond, Hill, ON)
Daniel Dearing (Toronto, ON)
Alexander Russell (Surrey, BC)
Jake MacNeil (Georgetown, ON)
Tynan Gannett (Dartmouth, NS)
Arran Chambers (Edmonton, AB)
Steven Abrams (Georgetown, ON)
Luke de Greeff (Victoria, BC)

2024 In Focus: U19 Beach And U17 Indoor World Championships Set For 2024

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China to host FIVB Beach Volleyball U19 World Championships while the inaugural FIVB Volleyball U17 World Championships hosts will be named soon.

Age group World Championships in both volleyball and beach volleyball will be part of the 2024 FIVB competition calendar, providing opportunities for young athletes to compete on the international stage. The 2024 FIVB U19 Beach Volleyball World Championships will take place in China from 27 August to 1 September, while the inaugural editions of the FIVB Volleyball U17 World Championships for both genders will be held in August at venues that will be confirmed at a later stage.

2024 FIVB U19 Beach Volleyball World Championships

The 18th edition of the FIVB U19 Beach Volleyball World Championships will be organised in the ancient city of Shangluo in central China, where a 2,000-seat centre court and four side courts will welcome athletes and spectators from all over the world.

The event will take place from 27 August to 1 September. 32 teams per gender will join the main draw action in Shangluo. They will be split into eight round-robin pools of four for the first stage of the main draw tournament. The pool winners will advance directly to the round of 16, while the pool runners-up and the third-placed teams will enter the playoff bracket from the round of 24.

2024 FIVB U17 Volleyball World Championships

The inaugural editions of the FIVB Volleyball Girls’ and Boys’ U17 World Championships will take place in August 2024, with the hosts for these historic events to be confirmed at a later stage.

A total of 16 youth national teams will compete in each of the two newly-introduced biennial FIVB tournaments over seven competition days.

For the first stage of each U17 World Championship, the teams will be split into four single round-robin pools of four and their places in the final pool standings will determine their starting positions in the single elimination, consisting of round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals and finals at each level of the playoff bracket.

Nelson Ramírez confident in a successful plan for the Regional Development Center

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SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, January 19, 2024. – Professor Nelson Ramírez, Director of the NORCECA-FIVB Regional Volleyball Development Center in the Dominican Republic, expresses confidence in a successful plan of activities for the Center in 2024.

Under the slogan “Knowledge is the Key to Development”, Nelson Ramírez embarks on a new beginning of training programs offered by the Regional Center, “year after year, the Regional Center provides the necessary support to carry out activities that contribute to the growth, development, and improvement of volleyball in the region; this year is no exception, I am confident that all the program scheduled will be once again a successful one”.

With the sponsorship of NORCECA and FIVB, the 2024 activity plan already includes a variety of courses for coaches, referees, and physical education teachers who will have the opportunity to strengthen their knowledge through new tools that they can implement in their countries.

The training programs provided by the Regional Center are led by FIVB-certified instructors with extensive experience in indoor and beach volleyball.

Professor Ramírez urges National Federations to promote the activities of the Regional Center and make new proposals to strengthen the development of volleyball in their countries.

“Just as we have started in Puerto Rico with two courses for Continental indoor and beach volleyball Referees from January 19-25, and soon we will be in Cuba to offer an International Level I Coaches Course from February 18-25, I encourage more countries to host training sessions, courses or workshops” said Professor Ramírez.

The effort made by participants in these courses, putting in intense work and gaining experience, is recognized by the Regional Center with certificates and diplomas that enrich  their resume.

Professor Ramírez concluded by saying, “our development will lead us to greater achievements”.

Regional Development Center starts Referee courses in Puerto Rico

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SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, January 18, 2024. – The NORCECA-FIVB Regional Volleyball Development Center will begin the continental courses for indoor and beach volleyball referees this Friday in San Juan, Puerto Rico, with the participation of representatives from ten countries.

The courses will run from January 19 to 24, with the support of the North, Central American, and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation NORCECA, along with the Puerto Rican Volleyball Federation, at the Olympic Housing and the beach volleyball courts in Guayama.

Meeting room for theorical sessions

Dr. César Trabanco, president of the Puerto Rican Volleyball Federation, expressed his immediate approval to host these important training workshops upon receiving the proposal to host both courses from the director of the Regional Center Professor Nelson Ramírez and NORCECA President Cristóbal Marte.

Professor Ramírez expressed his satisfaction to be conducting these courses on the “Island of Enchantment”, home to one of the best continental tournaments. He highlighted that the instructors for the courses will be Guy Bradbury, president of the NORCECA Referee Commission, and André Trottier, member and beach volleyball coordinator of the same Commission. Additionally, both are members of the FIVB World Referee Commission.

Inspection Beach Volleyball court

With this activity, the NORCECA Confederation and the Development Center starts to prepare referees who will officiate in the 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games to take place in the Dominican Republic.

2024 In Focus: Race For Olympic Spots Under Eiffel Tower About To Heat Up

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With only the world champions already qualified for Paris 2024, 23 spots per gender are still up for grabs.

The 2024 beach volleyball season is set to heat up from 27 July to 10 August, when the Olympic Games Paris 2024 tournaments will be held at the iconic Eiffel Tower Stadium, where a temporary outdoor arena will provide an exceptional setting for participants and spectators alike.

Beach volleyball will mark its eighth appearance at the Olympic Games, having first captivated audiences during its debut at the Atlanta 1996. The formula for the beach volleyball tournament at Paris 2024 will remain the same as in Tokyo 2020.

Women’s 2023 World Champion Kelly Cheng

While the two teams (one per gender) to represent the host nation France are yet to be announced, only two duos have already qualified to compete at Paris 2024 after topping the podium at the 2023 FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships in Mexico. These are Czechia for the men’s tournament earned by the 2023 world champions Ondrej Perusic and David Schweiner and USA on the women’s side earned by the women’s 2023 World Champions Sara Hughes and Kelly Cheng.

David Schweiner ecstatic about his team’s first Olympic win at Tokyo 2020

A total of 24 teams per gender will compete at the Olympic Games Paris 2024, with a maximum of two teams per gender per country.

The race for the remaining vacancies started at the beginning of 2023 and is about to heat up in 2024 when it will climax with 17 duos per gender booking their spots under the Eiffel Tower through the Olympic Ranking, based on each pair’s best 12 performances in qualifying events between 1 January 2023 and 10 June 2024. Meanwhile, another five teams per gender will make the cut as winners of the five Continental Olympic tournaments, set to be held between 13 and 23 June.

While the final list of teams qualifying for Paris 2024 through the Olympic Ranking will not be confirmed until June 10, several prominent teams are strong contenders. The likes of Tokyo 2020 Olympic champions Anders Mol and Christian Sorum of Norway and reigning European champions David Ahman and Jonatan Hellvig of Sweden, who are currently leading the men’s chart, will be in the running. On the women’s side, World Championship silver medallists Eduarda Santos Lisboa (Duda) and Ana Patricia Ramos of Brazil and the highly ranked American pairing of Taryn Kloth and Kristen Nuss, currently heading the women’s chart, are in a strong position for qualification.

It is important to note that, as a general principle, quota places are allocated to the respective National Olympic Committees and not directly to the athletes or teams that earned them.

In each gender, the 24 qualified teams will be split into six single round-robin pools of four for the first stage of the Olympic tournament in Paris. The six pool winners, the six pool runners-up and the two best ranked third-placed teams will enter the single-elimination playoffs that then lead to the medal matches on the last competition day directly from the round of 16, while the remaining four third-placed teams will move on to a “lucky loser” playoffs to decide the 2 winning teams advancing to the round of 16.

Beach volleyball qualification system for Paris 2024

Jacqueline Cowan appointed to Olympic Programme Commission

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SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, January 16, 2024.- Jacqueline Cowan, President of Jamaica Volleyball Association, was recently appointed to be a member of the Olympic Programme. Commission.

Jackie, member of the NORCECA Board of Administration, was elected member of the Olympic Porgramme Commission this past August, a commission that has the responsibility for analyzing Summer, Winter and Youth Olympic Games programmes, which forms proposals for consideration by the IOC Executive Board.

This important commission makes sure that the Olympic programme remains relevant to young people by ensuring innovation and adapting to modern tastes and new trends, while respecting the history and tradition of the sports by thoroughly evaluating the sports and events in close cooperation with the respective International Federations.

In addition to developing a programme that maximizes the popularity of the Olympic Games while containing costs and complexity.

Jackie is also the First Vice President of the Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA), post to which she was elected in 2021, becoming the fist female to hold this post in the history of the JOA. She also is Chair of the JOA Women’s Commission, General Secretary of Caribbean Zonal Volleyball Association (CAZOVA) and member of the NORCECA Sports Organizing Commission.

2024 In Focus: The Third Season Of The Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Beginning Soon!

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The race for spots at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 will highlight the first half of the year.

After two successful seasons in 2022 and 2023, the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour is soon to get its third one underway. As in the previous editions, the three levels of the Beach Pro Tour will spread beach volleyball fever all over the world, with plenty of opportunities for top-calibre players and aspiring athletes alike to join in on the action and test themselves against their opponents.

Just like the full 2023 season, the first half of the 2024 season, until 10 June, will continue to offer valuable points towards the race for Olympic tickets to Paris 2024, and just like in 2021, a tournament in Ostrava, Czechia, this time an Elite16 event, will be the last one to count towards the Olympic rankings. At the end of this, the 17 teams per gender to qualify for the Olympic Games in France via the FIVB Olympic Rankings will be known. For information on the full qualification process for the Olympic Games beach volleyball competition, please click here.

The unique venue in Czechia’s third largest city also hosted the 4-star tournament in the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour in 2021, which saw a dramatic turn of events in the fight for places at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. Kerri Walsh Jennings and her partner Brooke Sweat lost their qualification match to the then new and relatively unknown Dutch pairing of Katja Stam and Raisa Schoon. That allowed another up-and-coming team, Sarah Sponcil and Kelly Cheng (then Claes), to book a last-minute ticket to Tokyo 2020 as the second qualified American pair, instead of Walsh and Sweat. That sensational win over Walsh and Sweat also set the beginning of Stam and Schoon’s incredible story that also led them to the Games in Tokyo.

Katja Stam spikes above Kerri Walsh’s block at Ostrava 2021 4-star tournament

While the full 2024 Beach Pro Tour calendar is being adapted to optimise the number of events and their geographical distribution, it is already clear that there will be at least eight Elite16 and eight Challenger tournaments.

The Finals will be held in Doha, Qatar again from 5 to 8 December, 2024. Doha will also host an Elite16 event in early March, keeping alive the tradition of hosting two events per season, which started with a Challenge tournament and the Finals in 2022, and an Elite16 stop and the Finals in 2023.

Later in March, Brazil will welcome two Challenge events. The Beach Pro Tour will pay a first visit to Recife, its first world-level competition since 1996, and will then return to Saquarema, which hosted the Beach Pro Tour in 2023 as well.

Celebrations during the Saquarema Challenge 2023 award ceremony

April’s calendar includes two stops in Mexico and one in China – the Tour will visit Guadalajara for the first time for a Challenge stop before returning to Tepic for an Elite16 tournament, the second in the western Mexican town, after 2023. In late April, the Chinese city of Xiamen will host a Challenge tournament, its first Beach Pro Tour event, after hosting regular high-level World Tour stops from 2013 to 2019.

A European leg of one Challenge and five Elite16 tournaments will take place from late May till late August, before and after the Olympic Games in Paris. It will start in Portugal, with the Elite16 event from 22-26 May.

The Beach Pro Tour will then hold its first event, a Challenge tournament, in the iconic Polish village of Stare Jablonki, which hosted several World Tour Grand Slam and Open stops from 2004 to 2014, as well as the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships in 2013.

2013 world champion Xue Chen of China is likely to compete in Stare Jablonki again 10 years later

After Ostrava in June, the Beach Pro Tour will visit two more iconic European venues in July before the start of the Games in Paris. One is Gstaad in Switzerland, which has been a regular host of world-level events since 2000, including the 2007 World Championships. The other host city is Vienna in neighbouring Austria, which set the stage for the 2017 World Championships, 5-star tournaments in 2018 and 2019, and the CEV European Championships in 2021 and 2023.

After Paris 2024, the Beach Pro Tour will stay in Europe for one more Elite16 stop in Hamburg, a hub of beach volleyball in Germany. The city hosted the European Championships back in 2008, one of the Majors on the FIVB World Tour in 2016, the World Tour Finals in both 2017 and 2018, the World Championships in 2019 and two Elite16 events in 2022 and 2023 (pictured in the main photo).

The last Elite16 stop of the year is set to be at the end of August in Montreal, Canada. The Canadian city organised numerous World Tour Open events during the first decade of the century and returned to the world beach volleyball stage with its first Elite16 tournament in 2023.

Packed stands in Montreal during the Elite16 tournament in 2023

In October, the Beach Pro Tour will once again visit Brazil for a Challenge stop in Joao Pessoa, which hosted the last Elite16 tournament in 2023.

Finally, in late November and early December, before the Finals in Doha, Challenge tournaments will take place in India, and in the Philippines, which will host its second high-level event again in Nuvali, where the last Challenge stop of 2023 also took place.

Beach Pro Tour 2024 – official website

2024 Beach Pro Tour Calendar

NORCECA held its 2023 Executive Committee and Board of Administration Meeting

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SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, December 21, 2023. – NORCECA held its 2023 Executive Committee and Board of Administration Virtual Meeting, where the working reports for the past two years (2022-2023) were discussed.

NORCECA President, Mr. Cristóbal Marte Hoffiz,  delivered the welcoming remarks, highlighting a fruitful 2023 from all perspectives, “I am very pleased that we were able to complete the competition calendar, allowing NORCECA to rebound from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic by establishing a marketing strategy and providing support to all the National Federations”.

The Executive Committee and Board of Administration members had the opportunity to review and discuss NORCECA’s annual activity report, which included two multi-sport competitions, the 2023 Central American and Caribbean Games in San Salvador  and the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago. Additionally, the first editions of the Under-17 Continental Championships in both genders and the NORCECA Under-23 Beach Tour.

President Marte Hoffiz presented a proposal for the NORCECA classification system for the FIVB World Championship, which will be further analyzed for its approval.

In 2023, NORCECA established a historic long-term partnership for eight years (2023-2030) with MIKASA to be the official ball for Volleyball and Beach Volleyball competitions within the Confederation. The Under-19 Men’s Pan American Cup held in Guatemala in March was the first official event to use MIKASA.

The reports from all NORCECA working commissions were presented after a detailed discussion of its Financial Statements audited by the external firm Ernst & Young.

NORCECA has been a pioneer in volleyball development programs, a model adopted by the FIVB to create the Volleyball Empowerment program with a larger budget.

Regarding refereeing, NORCECA is the only Confederation simultaneously conducting refereeing courses for Volleyball and Beach Volleyball, aiming to maintain refereeing standards through an education program for the integration of new referees, along with refresher courses for the development of active referees.

Among the responsibilities of the sports organization committee, NORCECA conducted several inspections before the two multi-sport events held this year, leading to a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the organizing committee and ensuring the success of both competitions.

According to the discussions during the working session, it was highlighted that time, patience, and a dedicated group of volleyball enthusiasts are required to achieve success, which will help National Federations must find ways to face various challenges to attain it.

NORCECA is in continuous growth, and there is a need to enhance its structure, leading to a subsequent session to analyze various proposals from the FIVB legal commission  for constitutional changes which arose during the meeting.

An important change took place in 2023 with the implementation of the statistical software Volley Station, prompting various training sessions and an induction plan for the members of the VIS and Statistics commission and the Refereeing commission to adapt to the changes made in the e-score sheet.

A review of the 2024 Volleyball and Beach Volleyball competition calendar highlighted the classification system for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

The session concluded with the announcement of the XXVII NORCECA Congress, scheduled to be held in Punta Cana from July 6 to 7, 2024. The next NORCECA Board of Administration session is set for July 5.

Mushtaque Mohammed Reelected: CAZOVA Embraces Continuity

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PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, December 17, 2023.- TTO’s Mushtaque Mohammed was reelected as president of the Caribbean Zonal Volleyball Association (CAZOVA) at the electoral congress held at The Brix Hotel, in Port of Spain on Sunday 17th December 2023.

The congress in determining the new board to guide CAZOVA until 2027, witnessed a spirited contest between the incumbent President, Mushtaque Mohammed of Trinidad & Tobago, and Ms. Margarette Graham, the Treasurer of CAZOVA from Haiti.

Board of Directors

The congress was attended by 12 of 14 National Federation members and was held under the supervision of North, Central America and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation (NORCECA) President Cristóbal Marte Hoffiz.

The associations present included Aruba, Bonaire, Cayman Islands, Curacao, Guadeloupe, Haiti, Jamaica, Suriname, Barbados, Bahamas, US Virgin Islands, and Trinidad and Tobago.

The members of the new executive committee include the reelected trio of Cayman Islands’ Kennedy McGowan (First Vice-President); Bonaire’s Gisette Emer (Second vice-president), Jamaica’s Jacqueline Cowan (Secretary General) and Board Member Filomena Daniel-Curiel of Aruba along with newly appointed Bahamian Kurtwood Green (Treasurer), and Board Member, Mark Lewis of Barbados.

In addition, Martinique’s Phillipe Lirus was appointed by the CAZOVA Board  as an Honorary Board Member and TTO’s Volleyball Federation President, Daymian Stewart also retained his post as CAZOVA’s Executive Director.

With an active calendar year scheduled for 2024, the membership was encouraged to participate in the various events and to consider hosting both CAZOVA Beach and Indoor competitions. There will also be an emphasis in assisting the National Federations in improving their administration and governance structures. In closing, the CAZOVA members unanimously agreed to support President Marte Hoffiz in his bid for reelection as NORCECA President, with an election to take place in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic in July 2024.

President Marte, in his remarks congratulated the new Board and pledged his support in continuing to work with CAZOVA, to further develop volleyball in the zone.

USA’s Megan Kraft and Terese Cannon Win NORCECA Tour 2023 Finals

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JUAN DOLIO, Dominican Republic, December 17, 2023. – Megan Kraft and Terese Cannon from the United States won the 2023 NORCECA Beach Volleyball Continental Tour Finals defeating Canada’s Sarah Pavan and Molly McBain 2-1 (21-16, 14-21, 15-11) in the gold medal match at Juan Dolio, Dominican Republic.

Megan and Terese needed 53 minutes to celebrate their first-ever NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour in great style.

The American duo was aggressive in the first set, taking an early lead of 13-7. Roles switched in the second set, as Pavan and McBain found stability in their serve and rushed to a 10-5 lead, forcing the tie-break. In the tie-break, Cannon avoided Pavan’s block, allowing them to be more tactical.

“It was really windy in the beginning of the game, and we served really well. Also, our side out was cleaner,” said Megan. “Canada served better in the second set. In the third set the wind died, so it was more a classic game, we trusted our side out and we served as tactically as we could” she added.

Terese said “It was a good match, there was a lot of back and forth like Megan said. They are a really good team, they know us well, we play them all the time, so it was exciting volleyball”.

In the semifinals, Kraft and Cannon also went to three sets, earning battled 2-1 (21-19, 18-21, 16-14) victory against María González/Allanis Navas from Puerto Rico. On the other hand, Pavan and McBain easily defeated Valentina López/Kianny Quesada from Costa Rica 2-0 (21-9, 21-13).

González/Navas won the bronze medal easily dominating López/Quesada 2-0 (21-6, 21-10). González and Navas won the silver medal in the 2022 NORCECA Finals, and they are ending this NORCECA 2023 season with a total of four medals, winning two gold medals (Cayman Islands, Punta Cana) and one silver medal in San Salvador.

Women’s Results Sunday:

GOLD MEDAL Megan Kraft/Terese Cannon USA d Sarah Pavan/Molly McBain CAN 2-1

BRONZE MEDAL María González/Allanis Navas PUR d Valentina Molina/Quesada CRC 2-0 (21-6, 21-10)

SEMIFINALS USA d PUR 2-1 (21-19, 18-21, 16-14); CAN d CRC 2-0 (21-9, 21-13)

POSITIONS POS 5 MEX d CUB 2-1 (15-21, 21-12, 16-14); POS 7 DOM d NCA 2-0 (21-14, 21-13); POS 9 GUA d CAY 2-1 (21-13, 19-21, 15-8); POS 11 ISV d ESA 2-1 (21-13, 19-21, 15-8); POS 13 PAN d TTO (forfeit team B); QF LOSERS MEX d DOM 2-0 (21-8, 22-20); CUB d NCA 2-0 (21-9, 21-13)

Cubans Díaz and Alayo Champions of NORCECA Finals in rematch against Schacter and Dearing

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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)

Costa Rica, Canada, Puerto Rico and USA Women Final Four at NORCECA Finals

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JUAN DOLIO, Dominican Republic, December 16, 2023. – Costa Rica, Canada, Puerto Rico, and the United States are the four finalists in the women’s tournament of the NORCECA Beach Volleyball  Continental Tour Final in Juan Dolio, Dominican Republic.

The semifinals will take place on Sunday between Maria Navas/Allanis Navas of Puerto Rico and Megan Kraft/Terese Cannon of the United States, and Valentina Molina/Kianny Quesada of Costa Rica against Canadians Sarah Pavan/Molly McBain.

Costa Rica’s duo of Valentina Molina/Kianny Quesada, advanced to semifinals defeating the Nicaragua’s Socorro López and Lolette Rodríguez 2-0 (21-11, 21-17).

Kianny Araya of Costa Rica

Earlier, the “Ticas” had finished the preliminary round as second in pool B behind Americans Megan Kraft and Terese Cannon, while López/Lolette finished at the top of pool A after a 2-0 (21-19, 21-16) victory against Dominicans Paniagua/Tavares.

Sarah Pavan and Molly McBain of Canada dominated their quarterfinal match against Amanda Armenteros/Maykelin Drik of Cuba 2-0 (21-16, 21-16). Pavan/McBain had finished first in pool D with a victory over Atenas Gutiérrez and Abril Flores of Mexico 2-0 (21-3, 21-17).

Terese Cannon USA

Puerto Ricans María González and Allanis Navas started the day by winning pool C after defeating Daniela Vigil/Sofía Velásquez of El Salvador 2-0 (21-6, 21-9) and then they clinched their spot in the semifinals with a 2-0 (21-16, 21-11) victory over Gutiérrez/Flores (MEX) after recovering from a four-point deficit (4-8) in the first set.

Americans Megan Kraft and Terese Cannon were the last team to secure their spot in the semifinals after defeating Crismil Paniagua and Nallelin Tavares of the Dominican Republic.

In the classification matches for positions 9/12, Natalia Girón/Paola Alvarado of Guatemala defeated Vigil/Velásquez (ESA) 2-0 (21-18, 21-15), and Heather Thompson/Stefania Gandolfi of the Cayman Islands defeated Almeida-Anz/Buckner (ISV) 2-0 (21-18, 21-19).

María González of Puerto Rico

Women’s Results Saturday:

QUARTERFINALS Molina/Quesada CRC d López/Lolette NCA 2-0 (21-11, 21-17); Pavan/McBain CAN Amanda/Drik CUB 2-0 (21-16, 21-16); González/Navas PUR d Gutiérrez/Flores MEX 2-0 (21-16, 21-11); Kraft/Cannon USA Paniagua/Taveras DOM 2-0 (21-6, 21-9)

CLASSIF. 9/12 GUA d ESA 2-0 (21-18, 21-15); CAY d ISV 2-0 (21-18, 21-19); CLASSIF. 13/16 PAN d VIN (21-7, 21-15)

POOL A López/Lolette NCA d Paniagua/Taveras DOM 2-0 (21-19, 21-16)

POOL B Kraft/Cannon USA d Molina/Quesada CRC 2-0 (21-17, 21-10); N. Girón/Alvarado GUA d González/Urrunaga PAN 2-1 (18-21, 21-4, 15-9)

POOL C González/Navas PUR d Vigil/Velásquez ESA 2-0 (21-6, 21-9); Amanda/Drik CUB d Sylvester/Duncan VIN 2-1 (21-4, 21-4)

POOL D Pavan/McBain CAN d Gutiérrez/Abril MEX 2-0 (21-3, 21-17)

Nicaragua, Cuba, USA and Canada Men advance to Semifinals at the NORCECA Tour Finals

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JUAN DOLIO, Dominican Republic, December 16, 2023. – Nicaragua, Cuba, United States, and Canada advanced to the men’s semifinals of the NORCECA Continental Tour Beach volleyball Tour Finals in Juan Dolio, Dominican Republic.

Rubén Mora, alongside Jefferson Cascante of Nicaragua, will face Cuban tandem of Noslen Díaz and Jorge Alayo in Sunday’s semifinals. In the other semifinal, Miles Partain and Andrew Benesh of the United States will compete against the 2022 Tour Final champions, Samuel Schachter and Daniel Dearing of Canada.

Mora and Cascante booked their ticket to semifinals defeating the Dominican duo of Hayerling De Jesús/Oscar Martínez 2-0 (22-20, 21-13). In the morning, Mora/Cascante finished second in pool B with a 2-0 (21-5, 21-11) victory over Jamaar Cropper/Shadron Delpesche from St. Vincent.

Cuba’s Noslen Díaz and Jorge Alay started the day by finishing first in pool D with a comfortable 2-0 (21-9, 21-6) win against Cruz/Coutinho from Aruba. They then closed the day with a 2-0 (21-13, 21-15) quarterfinal victory against the Puerto Rican duo of Arnaldo Torres/William Rivera.

Rubén Mora NCA

Meanwhile, Americans Miles Partain and Andrew Benesh won their quarterfinals against Miguel Sarabia and Juan Virgen of Mexico 2-0 (21-18, 21-13). They had previously topped pool C with a 2-0 (21-17, 21-11) victory over the Guardado brothers from El Salvador.

Sarabia/Virgen (MEX) advanced to the quarterfinals as the second-place team in pool D after defeating Bucklin/Mayer from the U.S. Virgin Islands 2-0 (21-15, 21-16).

Canadians Samuel Schachter and Daniel Dearing faced a challenging match against Julian Araya/Stanley Grant of Costa Rica on Saturday, recovering from losing the first set 2-1 (19-21, 21-13, 15-13). However, they advanced to the semifinals with a 2-0 (21-15, 21-9) win against Enile/Theodore from Trinidad and Tobago.

In other results, the Guardado brothers (ESA) defeated Araya/Stanley (CRC) 2-0 (24-22, 22-20), and Bucklin/Bryce Mayer (ISV) won 2-0 (21-7, 21-12) against Izaguirre/García (GUA) in the classification matches for positions 9 to 12.

Daniel Dearing CAN

In the classification matches for positions 13 to 16, Clerique/Hodge (SKN) dominated 2-0 (21-15, 21-14) against Cropper/Delpesche (VIN), and Araúz/Del Cid (PAN) defeated De La Cruz/Jahim Coutinho (ARU) 2-0 (21-12, 21-16).

Men’s Results Saturday:

QUARTERFINALS Mora/Cascante NCA d De Jesús/Martínez DOM 2-0 (22-20, 21-13); Diaz/Alayo CUB d Torres/Rivera PUR 2-0 (21-13, 21-15); Partain/Benesh USA d Sarabia/Virgen MEX 2-0 (21-18, 21-13); Schacter/Deargin CAN d Enile/Theodore TTO 2-0 (21-15, 21-9)

CLASSIF. 9/12 ESA d CRC 2-0 (24-22, 22-20); ISV d GUA 2-0 (21-7, 21-12); CLASSIF. 13/16 SKN d VIN 2-0 (21-15, 21-14); PAN d ARU 2-0 (21-12, 21-16)

POOL A De Jesús/Martínez DOM Izaquirre/García L. GUA 2-0 (31-29, 21-11); Enile/Theodore TTO d Del Cid/Araúz PAN 2-0 (23-21, 21-18)

POOL B Schacter/Dearing CAN d Araya/Stanley CRC 2-1 (19-21, 21-13, 15-13); Mora/Cascante NCA d Cropper/Delpesche VIN 2-0 (21-5, 21-11).

POOL C Partain/Benesh USA d Guardado C./Guardado Y. ESA 2-0 (21-17, 21-11); Torres/Rivera PUR d Hodge/Clerique SKN 2-0 (21-11, 21-15)

POOL D Sarabia/Virgen MEX d Bucklin/Mayer ISV 2-0 (21-15, 21-16); Díaz/Alayo CUB d De La Cruz/Coutinho ARU 2-0 (21-9, 21-6)

Puerto Rico and USA Women with Successful opening at Juan Dolio NORCECA Finals

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JUAN DOLIO, Dominican Republic, December 15, 2023. – María González/Allanis Navas from Puerto Rico and Megan Kraft/Terese Cannon from the United States had a successful start in the NORCECA Beach Volleyball Continental Tour Finals that kicked off in Juan Dolio, Dominican Republic on Friday.

González/Navas, as well as Kraft/Cannon earned two victories in as many matches in pool C of the event, that grants ranking points for the NORCECA Olympic qualification for Paris 2024.

María and Allanis were decisive against Shanadia Sylvester and Saquanna Duncan from St. Vincent 2-0 (21-6, 21-6), and then defeated Cuba’s duo of Amanda Armenteros/Maykelin Drik 2-0 (21-16, 21-15).

In pool B, the United States duo of Megan Kraft and Terese Cannon, notched up two wins against Central American teams. First, they defeated Krisleen González and Iris Urrunaga from Panama 2-0 (21-11, 21-8), and then, with an emphatic 2-0 (21-3, 21-7), they outperformed Natalia Girón and Paola Alvarado from Guatemala.

Kianny Araya Quesada CRC

Kraft/Cannon will decide the top spot in their pool against Valentina Molina and Kianny Quesada from Costa Rica, who also started with two victories; 2-0 (21-15, 21-16) against Girón/Alvarado (GUA) and 2-0 (21-10, 21-4) against González/Urrunaga.

First place in pool A will be contested between Socorro López and Lolette Rodriguez from Nicaragua and Crismil Paniagua and Nallelin Tavares from the Dominican Republic.

López/Lolette dominated 2-0 (21-16, 21-13) against Cristina Almeida-Anz/Taylor Buckner from the U.S. Virgin Islands. Paniagua/Tavares also defeated the team of Almeida-Anz/Buckner, but in a challenging match of long rallies (24-22, 27-25).

Meanwhile, Atenas Gutiérrez and Abril Flores from Mexico opened with a convincing 2-0 (21-5, 21-9) against Heather Thompson/Stefania Gandolfi from Cayman Islands. Sarah Pavan and Molly McBain from Canada also defeated Thompson/Gandolfi 2-0 (21-4, 21-6).

Gutiérrez/Abril (MEX) and Pavan/McBain (CAN) will face each other on Saturday for the top spot in pool D.

The group stage will conclude on Saturday morning, followed by the quarterfinals and classification matches for positions 9 to 12.

Women’s Results Friday

POOL A: López/Lolette NCA d Almeida-Anz/Buckner ISV 2-0 (21-16, 21-13); Paniagua/Tavares DOM d Almeida-Anz/Buckner ISV 2-0 (24-22, 27-25)

POOL B: Molina/Quesada CRC d N. Girón/Alvarado GUA 2-0 (21-15, 21-16); Kraft/Cannon USA d González/Urrunaga PAN 2-0 (21-11, 21-8); Kraft/Cannon USA d N. Girón/Alvarado GUA 2-0 (21-3, 21-7); Molina/Quesada CRC d González/Urrunaga PAN 2-0 (21-10, 21-4)

POOL C: Amanda/Drik CUB d Vigil/Velásquez ESA 2-0 (21-14, 21-11); González/Navas PUR d Shanadia/Duncan VIN 2-0 (21-6, 21-6); González/Navas PUR d Amanda/Drik CUB 2-0 (21-16, 21-15); Vigil/Velásquez ESA d Shanadia/Duncan VIN 2-0 (21-15, 21-9)

POOL D: Gutiérrez/Flores MEX d Thompson/Gandolfi CAY 2-0 (21-5, 21-9); Pavan/McBain CAN d Thompson/Gandolfi CAY 2-0 (21-4, 21-6).

Canada, Cuba, USA and Dominicans start strong at NORCECA Beach Finals

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JUAN DOLIO, Dominican Republic, December 15, 2023.- The tandems of Canada, Cuba, the United States and Dominican Republic started strong the 2023 NORCECA Beach Volleyball Continental Tour Finals at Juan Dolio, Dominican Republic.

The NORCECA Tour Final awards ranking points as part of the NORCECA qualification system for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Canadians Samuel Schachter and Daniel Dearing, champions of the 2022 NORCECA Finals, started their campaign with a comfortable 2-0 victory (21-11, 21-9) against Jamaar Cropper and Shadron Delpesche from Saint Vincent in pool B. But then, they faced a tough battle against Nicaragua’s duo of Rubén Mora and Jefferson Cascante, winning 2-0 (23-21, 21-15).

Mora/Cascante (NCA) had previously celebrated a victory over Julian Araya and Stanley Grant from Costa Rica 2-0 (21-15, 21-19), who later defeated Cropper/Delpesche (VIN) 2-0 (21-15, 21-15).

Noslen Díaz and Jorge Alayo from Cuba had a productive day in pool D, earning two hard-fought victories. Diaz and Alayo opened with a demanding match, winning 2-0 (21-19, 22-20) against Garrett Bucklin/Bryce Mayer from the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Cuban duo then closed the first day of competition with a 2-0 (21-16, 21-16) victory over Miguel Sarabia and Juan Virgen.

Sarabia/Virgen had previously defeated Gregory De La Cruz/Jahim Coutinho from Aruba 2-0 (21-8, 21-8). Bucklin/Mayer (ISV) also defeated De La Cruz/Coutinho (ARU) 2-0 (21-9, 21-12).

USA’s Miles Partain and Andrew Benesh had no setbacks in pool C, with a 2-0 (21-14, 21-11) victory against Arnaldo Torres/William Rivera from Puerto Rico and a 2-0 (21-7, 21-9) win over Clerique Ward/St Clair Hodge from Saint Kitts and Nevis.

Puerto Rico earned a 2-0 (21-17, 21-18) victory against twin brothers Yoel and Christopher Guardado from El Salvador, who later defeated Clerique/Hodge (SKN) 2-0 (21-17, 21-18).

In pool A, Dominicans Hayerling De Jesús and Oscar Martínez secured their first victory in the tournament with a 2-0 (21-10, 21-15) win against Victor Araúz/Adamit Del Cid from Panama. They then took on Joel Theodore/Stephen Enile from Trinidad and Tobago, winning 2-0 (21-8, 21-9), who had earlier defeated José Miguel Izaguirre and Luis García from Guatemala in overtime 2-1 (21-18, 16-21, 15-11).

Izaguirre/García (GUA) claimed a 2-0 (21-16, 21-15) over Araúz/Del Cid (PAN).

The preliminary stage ends on Saturday morning, and the quarterfinal round will be held in the afternoon, as well as classification matches for positions 9 to 16.

Men’s Results Friday:

POOL A: Theodore/Enile TTO d Izaguirre/Luis García GUA 2-1 (21-18, 16-21, 15-11); De Jesús/Martínez DOM d Araúz/Del Cid PAN 2-0 (21-10, 21-15); De Jesús/Martínez DOM d Theodore/Enile TTO 2-0 (21-8, 21-9); Izaguirre/Luis García GUA d Araúz/Del Cid PAN 2-0 (21-16, 21-15)

POOL B: Mora/Cascante NCA d Araya/Stanley CRC 2-0 (21-15, 21-19); Schacter/Dearing CAN d Cropper/Delpesche VIN 2-0 (21-11, 21-9); Schacter/Dearing CAN d Mora/Cascante NCA 2-0 (23-21, 21-15); Araya/Stanley CRC d Cropper/Delpesche VIN 2-0 (21-15, 21-15)

POOL C: Guardado C./Guardado Y. ESA d Hodge/Clerique SKN 2-0 (21-17, 21-19); Partain/Benesh USA d Torres/Rivera PUR 2-0 (21-14, 21-11); Partain/Benesh USA d Hodge/Clerique SKN 2-0 (21-7, 21-9); Torres/Rivera PUR d Guardado C./Guardado Y. ESA 2-0 (21-17, 21-18)

POOL D: Diaz/Alayo CUB d Bucklin/Mayer ISV 2-0 (21-19, 22-20); Sarabia/Virgen MEX d De La Cruz/Coutinho ARU 2-0 (21-8, 21-8); Bucklin/Mayer ISV d De La Cruz/Coutinho ARU 2-0 (21-9, 21-12); Diaz/Alayo CUB d Sarabia/Virgen MEX 2-0 (21-16, 21-16)

Time for the NORCECA Tour 2023 Finals

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JUAN DOLIO, Dominican Republic, December 14, 2023. – It’s time for the 2023 NORCECA Beach Volleyball Continental Tour Finals at the Juan Dolio Beach, Dominican Republic, nearby to the Hotel Costa Caribe from December 15-17.

The NORCECA Tour Final is part of the Olympic qualification system for beach volleyball in NORCECA for Paris 2024, hence the significance of the event that brings together big names from the NORCECA Tour and the Volleyballworld Beach Pro Tour.

In men, Miles Partain and Andrew Benesh from the United States, ranked fourth in the world. Canadians Samuel Schachter and Daniel Dearing, defending champions from the 2022 Tour Final, and Cuba with Noslen Díaz/Jorge Alayo, who finished second, in addition to bronze this year in Varadero.

Miguel Sarabia and Juan Virgen from Mexico, winners of the 2023 Central American and Caribbean Games, claimed gold at the third stage in Cayman Islands, they began the season in Aguascalientes with a silver medal and won bronze in San Salvador a week ago.

On the women’s side, current Central American and Caribbean champions, María González and Allanis Navas from Puerto Rico, silver medalists in the 2023 Tour Final, champions this year in the Cayman Islands and Punta Cana and finished second in San Salvador.

2019 world champion, Canada’s Sarah Pavan, joins Molly McBain, aiming to collect the most points in their Olympic qualification quest.

The tandem of Atenas Gutiérrez and Abril Flores from Mexico, winners of the first stage in Aguascalientes, are also here.

A total of seventeen countries (14 women’s teams and 16 men’s teams) will compete for valuable ranking points, divided into four pools per gender as follows:

Women’s Pools: POOL A Dominican Republic, U.S. Virgin Islands, Nicaragua; POOL B United States, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Panama; POOL C Puerto Rico, El Salvador, Cuba, St. Vincent; POOL D Canada, Mexico, Cayman Islands, TTO (forfeit).

Men’s Pools: POOL A Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Trinidad & Tobago, Panama; POOL B Canada, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, St. Vincent; POOL C United States, El Salvador, St. Kitts & Nevis, Puerto Rico; POOL D Mexico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Cuba, Aruba.

Women’s Teams

CANADA Sarah Pavan/Molly McBain; CAYMAN ISLANDS Heather Thompson/Stefania Gandolfi; COSTA RICA Valentina Molina/Kianny Araya Quesada; CUBA Amanda Armenteros/Maykelin Drik; DOMINICAN REPUBLIC Crismil Paniagua/Nallelin Tavares; EL SALVADOR Daniela Vigil/Sofía Velásquez; GUATEMALA Natalia Girón/Paola Alvarado; MEXICO Atenas Gutiérrez/Abril Flores; NICARAGUA Socorro López/Lolette Rodríguez; PANAMA Krisleen González/Iris Urrunaga; PUERTO RICO María González/Allanis Navas; ST VINCENT Shanadia Sylvester/Saquanna Duncan; UNITED STATES Megan Kraft/Terese Cannon; U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS Cristina Almeida-Anz/Taylor Buckner

Men’s Teams

ARUBA Gregory De La Cruz/Jahim Coutinho; CANADA Samuel Schachter/Daniel Dearing; COSTA RICA  Julian Araya/Stanley Grant; CUBA Noslen Díaz/Jorge Alayo; DOMINICAN REPUBLIC Hayerling De Jesús/Oscar Martínez; EL SALVADOR Christopher Guardado/Yoel Guardado; GUATEMALA José Miguel Izaguirre/Luis García; MEXICO Miguel Sarabia/Juan Virgen; NICARAGUA Rubén Mora/Jefferson Cascante; PANAMA Victor Araúz/Adamit Del Cid; PUERTO RICO Arnaldo Torres/William Rivera; ST KITTS & NEVIS Clerique Ward/St Clair Hodge; ST VINCENT Jamaar Cropper/Shadron Delpesche; TRINIDAD & TOBAGO Joel Theodore/Stephen Enile; UNITED STATES Miles Partain/Andrew Benesh; U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS Garrett Bucklin/Bryce Mayer

Cuban Duo takes Gold in Women’s Under-23 Beach

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JUAN DOLIO, Dominican Republic, December 14, 2023.- The Cubans Amanda Armenteros and Maykelin Drik defeated the Americans Sierra Caffo and Ella Larkin 2-0 (21-19, 21-18) in a tight match to win the gold in the NORCECA U-23 Beach Tournament that was played on the sand courts located on the beach of Juan Dolio, Dominican Republic.

The bronze medal game was won by the United States team Delayne Maple/Xolani Hodel over the Canada pair Katarina Pantovic/Erika Vermette 2-0 (21-11, 21-17).

The Costa Rican team composed of Valentina Molina/kianny Araya placed fifth after beating the Americans Alisa Gavva/Karolina Urbanovich 2-0 (21-16, 21-13).

Seventh place belonged to the Dominicans Crismil Paniagua/Nallelin Taveras, who beat the duo of Keiry Guzmán/Daniela Vigil from El Salvador 2-1 (21-15, 19-21, 15-11), while the duo of Kadderly Salazar /Yuliana Chávez of Nicaragua took ninth place, beating L’fe Roberts/Meeka Johnson (TTO) 2-0 (21-10, 21-15).

In eleventh position were Shanadia Unique/Saquanna Duncan (VIN) who defeated Lavesha Richardson/Deandra Fleming (AGU) 2-0 (21-18, 21-12).

Cuba Men Tops U-23 NORCECA Tournament

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JUAN DOLIO, Dominican Republic, December 14, 2023.- Jorge Alayo and Noslen Díaz of Cuba defeated the American duo of Tate Calles/Brendan Onishchenko 2-0 (21-15, 21-13) in the gold match to take top honors in the NORCECA U-23 Beach Volleyball Tournament that was held on the courts located on the beach of Juan Dolio, Dominican Republic.

The Bronze match was won by the Canadian team Tynan Gannett/Steven Abrams who beat Kyle Paulson/Sebastián Rodríguez (USA) 2-0 (21-18, 21-14).

The Costa Ricans Julián Araya/Stanley Grant defeated the brothers Yoel and Christopher Guardado of El Salvador 2-1 (21-19, 17-21, 15-9) to finish in fifth place, while the seventh place went to the Dominicans Rolvin Maldonado/Alexander Wilmore due to injury from the Saint Kitts team.

The ninth position was occupied by the duo of Javier Solís/Josué Meneses from Nicaragua who dispatched Jerome Morrison/Jahreef Miguel (TTO) 2-0 (21-12, 21-19) and in eleventh position were the Dominicans Elixander Gómez/Blendy Tavarez after defeating Gregory De La Cruz/Joshua Hoepelman of Aruba 2-1 (11-21, 21-18, 15-13).

The duo of Jamaar Cropper/Shadron Delpesche (VIN) beat Alexander Solovey/Thelion Coutinho (ARU) 2-0 (21-12, 21-12) to take thirteenth place.

In the match for position number 15, Braedon Cooke/Connor Somerville (BER) defeated Trevon Smith/Kaiden Proctor (AGU) 2-0 (21-15, 21-12).

Women’s duos from the United States advance to the Semifinals in the NORCECA U-23 Beach Tour

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JUAN DOLIO, Dominican Republic, December 13, 2023.- The pairs formed by Delayne Maple/Xolani Hodel and Sierra Caffo/Ella Larkin from the United States advanced this Wednesday to the Semifinals of the NORCECA U-23 Beach Voeball Tournament that is being held on the courts located on Juan Dolio beach, Dominican Republic.

The duo of Maple/Hodel (USA) beat Alisa Gavva/Karolina Urbanovich of Canada 2-0 (21-10, 21-16), while Caffo/Larkin (USA) had Crismil Paniagua/Nallelin Taveras (DOM) 2 -0 (21-12, 21-18).

USA

The other two couples in the Semifinal are Gisell Armenteros/Maykelin Drik from Cuba and Katarina Pantovic/Erika Vermette from Canada.

CAN

Armenteros/Drik (CUB) defeated Keiry Guzmán/Daniela Vigil (ESA) 2-0 (21-9, 21-7) and the Canadians Pantovic/Vermette beat Valentina Molina/Kianny Quesada of Costa Rica 2-0 (21 -9, 21-10).

CUBA

Both American teams will face each other, while Cuba will face Canada in the Semifinals to be played this Thursday morning.

United States, Cuba, and Canada advance to Men’s Semifinals in NORCECA U-23 Tournament

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JUAN DOLIO, Dominican Republic, December 13, 2023. – Both United States teams, Tate Calles/Bredan Onishchenko and Kyle Paulson/Sebastián Rodríguez, the Cuban duo Noslen Díaz/Jorge Alayo, and the Canadian pair Tynan Gannett/Steven Abrams, progressed to the Semifinals of the NORCECA U-23 Beach Volleyball Tour played on the courts of Juan Dolio beach, Dominican Republic, this Wednesday.

Canadian pair Tynan Gannett/Steven Abrams

Calles/Onishchenko (USA) beat Zendai Richards/Clerique Ward (SKN) by forfeit, while the duo of Paulson/Rodríguez (USA) defeated the Costa Rican duo Julián Araya/Stanley Grant 2-0 (21-16, 21-15) to secure their spots in semifinals.

Díaz/Alayo (CUB) advanced after beating Rolvin Maldonado/Alexander Wilmore (DOM) 2-0 (21-5, 21-6), and Gannett/Abrams defeated Yoel Guardado/Christopher Guardado (ESA) 2-0 (21-17, 21-19).

Díaz/Alayo (CUB)

The United States teams will face each other, while Cuba will face Canada in the Semifinals scheduled for Thursday morning.

Costa Rican female duo divides their first two commitments

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JUAN DOLIO, Dominican Republic, December 12, 2023.- The Costa Rican couple, Valentina Molina/Kianny Araya, achieved a victory and a loss on the first day of competitions of the NORCECA U-23 Beach Volleyball Tour that is being held the courts of Juan Dolio beach, Dominican Republic.

In the first match Molina/Araya (CRC) dispatched Shanadia Sylvester/Saquanna Duncan of Saint Vincent 2-0 (21-4, 21-5), while in the second they fell to Delayne Maple/Xolani Hodel of the United States 2- 0 (21-11, 21-11).

In group A, the Cubans Amanda Armenteros/Maykelin Drik are undefeated after beating Lavesha Richardson/Deandra Fleming of Anguilla 2-0 (21-11, 21-7) and the Dominican pair of Crismil Paniagua/Nallelin Taveras 2-0 ( 21-13, 21-11). In the same group, the Canadians Alisa Gavva/Karolina Urbanovich beat Crismil Paniagua/Nallelin Taveras (DOM) 2-0 (21-19, 21-18) and in the second game they beat Lavesha Richardson/Deandra Fleming (AGU) 2-0 (21-8, 21-9).

Laura Molina CRC

In group B, Sierra Caffo/Ella Larking (USA), dominated Katarina Pantovic/Erika Vermette (CAN) 2-0 (21-14, 21-16) and the pair formed by Keiry Guzmán/Daniela Vigil of El Salvador 2 -0 (21-12, 21-5).

Other results:

Delayne Maple/Xolani Hodel (USA) d Kadderly Salazar/Yuliana Chávez (NCA) 2-0 21-7, 21-4), Katarina Pantovic/Erika Vermette (CAN) d L’fe Roberts/Meeka Johnson (TTO) 2- 0 (21-11, 21-14), Kadderly Salazar/Yuliana Chávez (NCA) d Shanadia Sylvester/Saquanna Duncan (VIN) 2-0 (21-11, 21-18) and Keiry Guzmán/Daniela Vigil (ESA) d L’fe Roberts/Meeka Johnson (TTO) 2-0 21-7, 21-11).

Six undefeated men’s pairs at the start of the Under-23 Tournament

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JUAN DOLIO, Dominican Republic, December 12, 2023.- Six teams were undefeated on the first day of competitions of the NORCECA U-23 Beach Volleyball Tour that is being held on the sand courts located on Juan Dolio beach, Dominican Republic.

In group A, Tate Calles/Brendan Onishchenko (USA) defeated Rolvin Maldonado/George Wilmore (DOM) 2-1 (15-21, 21-18, 15-11) and in the second match they defeated Trevon Smith/Kaiden Proctor (AGU) 2-0 (21-1, 21-0).

In group B, the Cuban duo Jorge Alayo/Noslen Díaz easily won their two matches, the first against the Dominicans Elixander Gómez/Blendy Tavarez 2-0 (21-9, 21-16), and the second against the couple from Bermuda Braedon Cooke/Connor Somerville 2-0 (21-6, 21-11).

Also in group B, Saint Kitts won both of their games, against Braedon Cooke/Connor Somerville (BER) 2-0 (21-6, 21-13) and against the pair ElixanderGómez/Blendy Tavarez (DOM) 2-1 (21- 23, 21-10, 15-12).

DOM vs CUB

In group C, the twins Yoel Guardado/Christopher Guardado (ESA) defeated the pair Jerome Morrison/Jahreef Miguel (TTO) 2-0 (21-13, 21-6) and the pair of Alexander Solovey/Thelion Coutinho (ARU )2-0 (21-10, 21-7), while the Costa Rican duo Julián Araya/Stanley Grant defeated Jerome Morrison/Jahreef Miguel (TTO) 2-0 (21-11, 21-7) and Alexander Solovey/Thelion Coutinho (ARU) 2-0 (21-5, 21-7).

The Americans Kyle Paulson/Sebastián Rodríguez, in group D, beat Javier Solís/Josue Meneses (NCA) 2-0 (21-15, 21-9) and the Canadians Tynan Gannett/Steven Abrams 2-0 21-19, 21-19)

Other results of the first day were:

Gregory De La Cruz/Joshua Hoepelman (ARU) d Trevon Smith/Kaiden Proctor (AGU) 2-0 (21-15, 21-12), Zendai Richards/Clerique Ward (SKN) d ElixanderGómez/Blendy Tavarez (DOM) 2- 1 (21-23, 21-10, 15-12), Tynan Gannett/Steven Abrams (CAN) d Jamaar Cooper/Shadron Delpesche (VIN) 2-0 (21-7, 21-12), Javier Solís/Josue Meneses (NCA) d Jamaar Cooper/Shadron Delpesche (VIN) 2-0 (21-16, 21-11) and Rolvin Maldonado/George Wilmore (DOM) d Gregory De La Cruz/Joshua Hoepelman (ARU) 2-0 (21- 13, 21-15).

All set for the Under 23 Tournament in Juan Dolio

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JUAN DOLIO, Dominican Republic, December 11, 2023. – A total of 28 teams will be competing in the Under 23 Tournament as part of the 2023 NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour, which kicks off on Tuesday at Juan Dolio, Dominican Republic.

16 men’s teams and 12 women’s teams registered during Monday’s preliminary inspections, aiming to advance from the group preliminary round starting on Tuesday at 9:00 am (local time) on the courts located on the beach in Juan Dolio.

28 matches are scheduled for Tuesday, 16 in the men’s division and 12 in the women’s division. The preliminary round will conclude on Wednesday morning, and Quarterfinals along with the losers’ round will be played in the afternoon. The Semifinals and Finals will be held on Thursday, as well as the position round.

Cuba and Costa Rica practice NORCECA Beach Volleyball U23 Continental Tour

Men’s Teams: DOM Rolvin Maldonado/Alexander Wilmore, Elixander Gomez/Blendy Tavarez, CUB Noslen Diaz/Jorge Alayo, CRC Julian Araya/Stanley Grant, CAN Tynan Gannett/Steven Abrams, NCA Carlos Solis/Alexander Meneses, ESA Yoel Guardado/Christopher Guardado, SKN Zendai Richards/Clerique Ward, AGU Trevon Smith/Kaiden Proctor, ARU Gregory De La Cruz/Joshua Hoepelman, Vladimir Solovey/Thelion Coutinho, BER Braedon Cooke/Connor Somerville, TTO Jerome Morrison/Jahreef Miguel, USA Kyle Paulson/Sebastian Rodriguez, Tate Calles/Brendan Onishchenko, VIN Jamaar Cropper/Chadron Delpesche.

Women’s Teams: DOM Crismil Paniagua/Nallelin Taveras, CAN Katarina Pantovic/Erika Vermette, Alisa Gavva/Karolina Urbanovich, CRC Laura Molina/Kianny Araya, NCA Kadderly Rosales/Yuliana Chavez, ESA Keiry Guzman/Daniela Vigil, AGU Lavesha Richardson/Deandra Fleming, CUB Amanda Armenteros/Maykelin Drik, TTO L’fe Roberts/Meeka Johnson, USA Delayne Maple/Xolani Hodel, Sierra Caffo/Ella Larkin, VIN Shanadia Sylvester/Saquanna Duncan.

Successful Conclusion to the 2023 ECVA Congress in St. Kitts

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St. KITTS, December 10, 2023.- The 2023 Congress of the Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) reached a successful conclusion on Sunday at the St Vincent Meeting Room at the St Kitts Marriott. Delegates convened for insightful discussions, key decisions, and the election of officers, marking a momentous occasion for volleyball in the Eastern Caribbean.

One of the significant outcomes of the Congress was the unanimous approval of the addition of U19 men and women indoor editions scheduled for December 2024 in St. Maarten. This expansion signals a commitment to nurturing young talent in the region. The ECVA affirmed its support for the participating national federations, emphasizing collaboration and shared growth.

In the final session, the election of officers took place, reflecting a harmonious continuation of leadership. President Glenn Quinlan (St. Kitts & Nevis), Vice President Sabinah Clement (British Virgin Islands), Secretary General Shayne Felicien (St. Lucia), and Treasurer Wilbur Harrigan (Antigua & Barbuda) were returned unopposed. Additionally, member Elvin Henriquez (St. Eustatius) secured victory over challenger Leonardo Romeo (Sint Maarten) by an 8 – 5 vote, demonstrating the democratic process within the ECVA.

NORCECA President Cristobal Marte Hoffiz administered the oath of office to the newly elected executive, emphasizing their commitment to working in the best interest of the zone without fear or favor. This moment symbolizes a new chapter in the leadership of ECVA, dedicated to advancing volleyball in the Eastern Caribbean.

To celebrate the successful conclusion of the Congress, delegates will partake in a fun event this evening. They will boat over to St. Kitts’ sister island, Nevis, for a delightful dinner, fostering camaraderie and unity among the volleyball community.

Turner and Kraft of USA Champions at NORCECA in El Salvador

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SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador, December 10, 2023. – Molly Turner and Deahna Kraft from the United States were crowned champions in the fifth stop of the NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour after defeating Maria Gonzalez/Allanis Navas from Puerto Rico 2-1 (14-21, 21-19, 15-11) in El Salvador.

As a team, this is the first medal for Molly Turner and Deahna Kraft. For Kraft it’s her first time competing at a NORCECA Beach Tour event. For Molly Turner, this was her fourth NORCECA, and she has won two gold medals and one silver in previous competitions; she now has earned three gold medals throughout her career in NORCECA.

Deahna Kraft USA / Allanis Navas PUR

Molly and Deahna came from behind after losing the first set against the strong defense from Puerto Rico. The match extended to a third set, where Gonzalez and Navas recovered from a three-point deficit (3-6) to tie at seven points, but it wasn’t enough to beat the American duo.

“That was a really fun match, an amazing opponent and you really have to earn every single point with them; they never give you free points,” said Deahna. “We definitely found another gear because we were exhausted, they are so good. It’s fun when both teams are giving their all, it’s great”.

The podium of the female and male branches

Molly and Deahna sealed their spot in the final by dominating 2-0 (21-18, 21-16) over the team of Lea Monkhouse/Marie-Alex Bélanger from Canada in the semifinals.

Meanwhile, Gonzalez and Navas overcame the Mexican tándem of Atenas Gutiérrez/Abril Flores 2-0 (21-17, 21-18).

Lea Monkhouse and Marie-Alex Bélanger also celebrated their first NORCECA medal together as a team, clinching the bronze in a thrilling match against Gutiérrez/Flores from Mexico. The Mexican team narrowly missed a set point (19-20) to force a third set, leading to a final score of 2-0 (21-18, 24-22) for Monkhouse and Bélanger.

Canadians Chambers and Kopp Win First-Ever NORCECA Beach Tour Gold Medal

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SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador, 10 de diciembre de 2023.- Los canadienses Arran Chambers y Liam Kopp ganaron su primera medalla de oro tras derrotar a Jordan Hoppe y James Shaw de los Estados Unidos 2-1 (15-21, 21-17, 15-13) en la final de la quinta parada del Tour NORCECA en San Salvador, El Salvador.

This is Chambers and Kopp fourth NORCECA tournament together and their third medal; but first gold, they also won the bronze medal at the beginning of the 2023 season in Aguascalientes and another bronze in Cayman Islands last year.

Arran Chambers CAN_ Jordan Hoppe USA

Arran and Liam recovered from a challenging first set, struggling to control Shaw’s serves and blocks, but managed to come back capitalizing on their opponents’ errors. In the third set, they reached an even 13 and secured the gold medal on a blocking point from Liam.

“I can’t even describe the feeling, it’s insane” said Liam after winning the gold medal. “We’ve working so hard this year and it feels good to finish the season off on a high note. It was awesome to have the support of so many Canadians here”.

Miguel Sarabia MEX / Michael Siraguse USA

To advance to the gold medal match, the Canadian duo defeated Miguel Sarabia and Juan Virgen from Mexico in semifinals 2-0 (21-15, 21-15).

In the other semifinal, Hoppe and Shaw defeated their compatriots Charles Siragusa/Zephyr Dew 2-0 (21-19, 21-15).

The bronze medal went to Sarabia/Virgen (MEX) after beating Siragusa/Dew from the United States 2-0 (21-12, 21-19).

St. Kitts Welcomes the 2023 ECVA Congress

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ST. KITTS & NEVIS, December 9, 2023. – The picturesque island of St. Kitts hosted the highly anticipated 2023 Congress of the East Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA). Organized by the Amateur Volleyball Association of San Cristobal, this Congress serves as a vital meeting for the East Caribbean volleyball community.

Under the coordination of President Glenn Quinlan, who also holds the positions of ECVA President and NORCECA Vice President, the event showcased a harmonious blend of collaboration and shared dedication to the sport. Distinguished guests, including NORCECA Confederation President Cristobal Marte Hoffiz, provided valuable insights into the regional volleyball scenery.

The elective Congress will feature crucial elections for key ECVA positions, with Glenn Quinlan as the current president, Vice President Sabinah Clement (BVI), Secretary General Shayne Felicien (LCA), Treasurer Wilbur Harrigan OBE, and member Elvin Henríquez (EUX). Their roles are fundamental in guiding the course of volleyball in the East Caribbean region.

Marking a significant return to in-person meetings since 2019, delegates engaged in discussions on the 2024 competition schedule, conducted comprehensive reviews of the activities carried out in 2022 and 2023, and expressed gratitude for the valuable contributions of member federations. The exchange of ideas underscored the collective commitment of East Caribbean nations to the growth and development of volleyball.

Representatives from Grenada, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Lucia, Dominica, Montserrat, Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Eustatius, Saba, Anguilla, Saint Martin, the British Virgin Islands, Bermuda, and the hosts, San Kitts and Nevis, gathered to foster unity and camaraderie.

The 2023 ECVA Congress celebrated past achievements while laying the groundwork for an exciting future for volleyball enthusiasts throughout the East Caribbean.

PHOTO GALLERY ECVA 2023 CONGRESS

Two USA teams to meet in Semifinals at El Salvador

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SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador, December 9, 2023.- The two teams of the United States will face each other in the semifinals of the men’s tournament of the fifth stage of the NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour in El Salvador.

Jordan Hoppe and James Shaw will play against Charles Siragusa/Zephyr Dew in Sunday’s  semifinals at the Flor Blanca Sports Complex; for all four players, this is their first time competing at the NORCECA Beach Tour.

Jordan Hoppe and James Shaw advanced smoothly to the semifinals after defeating Marc Lomeli and Anthony Pippen from the U.S. Virgin Islands 2-0 (21-10, 21-10).

Zephyr Dew USA

Meanwhile, Charles Siragusa/Zephyr Dew faced a challenging match against the team from El Salvador of Franklin Flores and Armando Guatemala, winning 2-1 (21-19, 19-21, 15-11), reaching an even 17 in the first two sets. The Salvadorans made a comeback (7-11) in the third set.

Arran Chambers and Liam Kopp from Canada earned their spot in semifinals with a victory over Criforth Lobo/Yulius Brown from Costa Rica, who withdrew from the competition as Criforth suffered an injury.

Liam Kopp y Arran Chambers CAN

The Mexican duo of Miguel Sarabia and Juan Virgen recovered from losing the first set to claim a dramatic victory over Jake MacNeil/Alexander Russell from Canada, winning 2-1 (18-21, 21-19, 18-16) and winning their place in the semifinals.

Earlier, MacNeil/Russell (CAN) topped Pool C with a victory 2-0 (21-13, 21-16) over Lomeli/Pippen (ISV). Hoppe/Shaw (USA) dominated Pool D after defeating Martes/Quinten (CUR) 2-0 (21-7, 21-10), while Sarabia/Virgen (MEX) finished second with a 2-0 (21-16, 21-13) win over Izaguirre/Ventura (GUA).

Miguel Sarabia y Juan Virgen MEX

Men’s Results Saturday:

Quarterfinals: Chambers/Kopp CAN d Lobo/Brown CRC (injury team B); Hoppe/Shaw USA d Lomeli/Pippen ISV 2-0 (21-10, 21-10); Sarabia/Virgen MEX d MacNeil/Russell CAN 2-1 (18-21, 21-19, 18-16); Siragusa/Dew USA d Flores/Guatemala ESA 2-1 (21-19, 19-21, 15-11)

Classif. 9/12: Izaguirre/Ventura GUA d Theodore/Enile TTO 2-0 (21-17, 21-19); Guardado Y./Guardado C. ESA d Solís/López NCA (injury team B)

Classif. 13/16: Vargas/Pepe ESA d Sousa/Barnett VER 2-0 (21-12, 21-12); Anthony/Martes CUR d Seabrookes/Clerique SKN 2-0 (21-15, 21-19)

Pool B Solís/López NCA d Vargas/Pepe ESA  2-0 (21-13, 21-19);

Pool C MacNeil/Russell CAN d Lomeli/Pippen ISV 2-0 (21-13, 21-16); Guardado Y/Guardado C ESA d Sousa Barnett BER 2-0 (21-5, 21-11)

Puerto Rico, Mexico, USA and Canada advance to Semifinals in El Salvador

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SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador, December 9, 2023.- Puerto Rico, Mexico, United States, and Canada advanced to the semifinals of the women’s tournament of the fifth stage of the NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour after dominating the quarterfinal round at the Flor Blanca Sports Complex in San Salvador, El Salvador.

María González/Allanis Navas from Puerto Rico will face Atenas Gutiérrez/Abril Flores from Mexico in Sunday’s semifinals, aiming to win their third consecutive gold medal in the 2023 NORCECA Tour season.

In the other semifinal, Molly Turner and Deahna Kraft from the United States will compete against Lea Monkhouse and Marie-Alex Bélanger from Canada.

Atenas Gutierrez y Abril Flores MEX

María González and Allanis Navas had a tough closing match against Yvonne Soler and Laura Molina from El Salvador, who made a comeback from a seven-point deficit (12-19) in the second set before the Puerto Ricans earned a 2-0 (21-7, 21-17) victory.

Molly Turner and Deahna Kraft from the United States worked hard in the beginning of their quarterfinal match to win 2-0 (22-20, 21-14) against Canada’s Devin Corah and Adriel Goodman.

Marie Alex Belinger / Lea Monkhouse CAN

Meanwhile, Lea Monkhouse and Marie-Alex Bélanger, the other Canadian team, managed to clinch victory against Americans Avery Poppinga and Katie Lindstrom in a tight contest, securing a 2-0 (21-19, 24-22) win.

Both duos had previously competed for a spot in the quarterfinals, with Bélanger/Monkhouse winning Group D against Gutiérrez/Abril from Mexico 2-0 (21-15, 21-17), and Poppinga/Lindstrom finishing second in Group C with a hard-fought victory of 2-1 (18-21, 21-17, 15-8) against Katherine Quesada/Eugenia Ramírez from Costa Rica.

Atenas Gutiérrez and Abril Flores emerged victorious in the match between the two Mexican teams in the event. Atenas and Abril defeated Katherine Albarrán and Yeray Vidaurrazaga 2-0 (21-14, 21-18).

Maria Gonzalez y Allanis Navas PUR

Earlier, Albarrán and Vidaurrazaga had advanced to the quarterfinals as first place of Pool C, winning their last pool-play match against Daniela Vigil/Keiry Guzmán from El Salvador in two sets, both ending at 21-13.

Women’s Results Saturday:

Quarterfinals: Gutiérrez/Flores MEX d Albarrán/Vidaurrazaga MEX 2-0 (21-14, 21-18); Turner/Kraft USA d Corah/Goodman CAN 2-0 (22-20, 21-14); Monkhouse/Bélanger CAN d Poppinga/Lindstrom USA 2-0 (21-19, 24-22); González/Navas PUR 2-0 (21-7, 21-17)

Classif. 9/12: Vásquez/Velásquez ESA d Silva/Lolette NCA 2-1 (22-24, 21-16, 15-11); Quesada/Ramírez CRC d Almeida-Anz/Bennett ISV 2-0 (21-10, 21-14)

Pool C Albarrán/Vidaurrazaga MEX d Daniela/Guzmán ESA 2-0 (21-13, 21-13); Poppinga/Lindstrom USA d Quesada/Ramírez CRC 2-1 (18-21, 21-17, 15-8)

Pool D Bélanger/Monkhouse CAN d Gutiérrez/Abril MEX  2-0 (21-15, 21-17); Vásquez/Velásquez ESA d Austin/Charles ISV 2-0 (21-12, 21-19)

Perfect ending for Nuss & Kloth in Doha

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DOHA, Qatar, December 9, 2023.- Taryn Kloth & Kristen Nuss triumphed at the very end of the international beach volleyball season as 2023 Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Finals champions in Doha.

This way the trophy took off for the United States for the second consecutive time, after the inaugural event was won by American compatriots Sara Hughes & Kelly Cheng. It was the third high-level gold for Kloth & Nuss this year, after the victories at the La Paz Challenge and the Uberlandia Elite16. That makes a total of five golds for the American pair on the Beach Pro Tour, with the two trophies from 2022. Their total medal count on the Tour improved to eight.

Nuss and Kloth USA

Watch Beach Pro Tour Doha Finals replays on VBTV.

The Finals silver was earned by Germany’s Cinja Tillmann & Svenja Muller. It was their first silver on the Tour, in addition to the one gold and one bronze in their collection.

The bronze went to the number one team in the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Ranking, Ana Patricia Ramos & Eduarda Santos Lisboa (Duda) of Brazil. That brings their total Beach Pro Tour count to 14 podiums.

Despite the five aces the Germans piled up during the final, the match was quite a one-sided affair, with the unforced errors making the biggest difference towards the Americans’ emphatic 2-0 (21-17, 21-14) success. Taryn Kloth topped the scorers’ chart of the game with 17 points to her name. Her tally included 12 spike kills, three kill blocks and two aces. Kristen Nuss added another 13 points, including one ace. On the German side, Svenja Muller scored 14 times, while Cinja Tillmann finished with 12 points.

In semifinals, Nuss & Kloth took revenge from Mariafe & Clancy for the straight-set defeat in their Pool B encounter and mastered a 2-0 (21-19, 21-13) shutout to push through to the gold medal match. Nuss topped the scorers’ chart of the match with 17 points, including two aces, while Kloth raised four kill blocks to finish with 14 points.

VW Beach Pro Tour Doha Finals: all results

Canadians Chambers/Kopp take on Pool A in El Salvador

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SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador, December 8, 2023. – Canadians Arran Chambers and Liam Kopp won Pool A on the first day of the fifth stage of the 2023 NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour, which kicked off on Friday at the Flor Blanca Sports Complex in San Salvador, El Salvador.

Chambers and Kopp advanced undefeated to the quarterfinals after a long day with three victories.

First, they defeated Franklin Flores and Armando Guatemala from El Salvador 2-0 (23-21, 21-13), then earned a 2-0 (21-6, 21-12) win against Shawn Seabrookes/Clerique Ward from St. Kitts and Nevis, and finished the day witn a 2-0 (21-11, 21-14) victory over Joel Theodore/Stephen Enile from Trinidad and Tobago.

Franklin Flores and Armando Guatemala from El Salvador, finished second in Pool A and also advanced to the quarterfinals. The Salvadorans defeated Seabrookes/Clerique (SKN) 2-0 (21-11, 21-8) and Theodore/Enile (TTO) 2-0 (21-13, 21-14).

Zephyr Dew USA- Yulius Brown CRC

The first and second places in Pool B were also decided, with the U.S. pair of Charles Siragusa/Zephyr Dew advancing undefeated and Criforth Lobo/Yulius Brown from Costa Rica with two wins.

Siragusa/Dew defeated El Salvador’s David Vargas “Pepe” with his son Gabriel “Gabo” 2-0 (21-15, 21-11); then they beat Carlos Solís and Denis López from Nicaragua 2-0 (21-17, 21-19) and closed the pool with a 2-0 victory (22-20, 21-16) against Criforth Lobo and Yulius Brown from Costa Rica, who couldn’t complete the match due to a minor injury from Lobo.

The tandem of Lobo/Brown beat Solís/López 2-0 (21-19, 21-19) and Gabo/Pepe 2-0 (21-15, 21-17).

Group C will be decided on Saturday when Jake MacNeil/Alexander Russell from Canada face Marc Lomeli/Anthony Pippen from the U.S. Virgin Islands, and twin brothers Christopher and Yoel Guardado from El Salvador play the team of Brandon Sousa/Benjamin Barnett from Bermuda.

Canada’s MacNeil/Russell defeated the Guardado team (forfeit) and Bermuda’s Sousa/Barnett 2-0 (21-12, 21-11). Meanwhile, Lomeli/Pippen (ISV) won 2-0 (21-10, 21-16) against Bermuda but were defeated 2-0 (21-19, 21-16) by the Guardado duo.

Juan Virgen MEX – Jordan Hoppe USA

Jordan Hoppe and James Shaw from the United States ended the day with two victories in Pool D. They opened the preliminary round defeating Mexico’s Miguel Sarabia alongside Juan Virgen 2-0 (21-16, 21-14) and then dominated Guatemala’s José Miguel Izaguirre/Mario Ventura 2-0 (21-10, 21-11).

Sarabia/Virgen quickly defeated the Curacao pair of Lysandro Martes/Quinten Anthony 2-0 (21-9, 21-10), who had previously lost in three sets 2-1 (19-21, 21-12, 15-7) against Izaguirre/Ventura.

The preliminary group round will be completed on Saturday morning.

Men’s Results Friday:

Pool A: Chambers/Kopp CAN d Guatemala/Flores ESA 2-0 (23-21, 21-13); Theodore/Enile TTO d Seabrookes/Clerique SKN 2-1 (18-21, 21-16, 15-9); Chambers/Kopp CAN d Seabrookes/Clerique SKN 2-0 (21-6, 21-12); Guatemala/Flores ESA d Seabrookes/Clerique SKN 2-0 (21-11, 21-8); Chambers/Kopp CAN d Theodore/Enile TTO 2-0 (21-11, 21-14); Guatemala/Flores ESA d Theodore/Enile TTO 2-0 (21-13, 21-14)

Pool B: Lobo/Brown CRC d Solís/López NCA 2-0 (21-19, 21-19); Siragusa/Dew USA d Vargas/Pepe ESA 2-0 (21-15, 21-11); Lobo/Brown CRC d Vargas/Pepe ESA 2-0 (21-15, 21-17); Siragusa/Dew USA d Solís/López NCA 2-0 (21-17, 21-19); Siragusa/Dew USA d Lobo/Brown CRC 2-0 (22-20, 21-16)

Pool C: MacNeil/Russell CAN d Guardado/Guardado ESA (forfeit); Lomeli/Pippen ISV d  Sousa/Barnett BER 2-0 (21-10, 21-16); Guardado/Guardado ESA d Lomeli/Pippen ISV 2-0 (21-19, 21-16); MacNeil/Russell CAN d Sousa/Barnett BER 2-0 (21-12, 21-11)

Pool D: Hoppe/Shaw USA d Sarabia/Virgen MEX 2-0 (21-16, 21-14); Izaguirre/Ventura GUA d Anthony/Martes CUR 2-1 (19-21, 21-12, 15-7); Hoppe/Shaw USA d Izaguirre/Ventura GUA 2-0 (21-10, 21-11); Sarabia/Virgen MEX d Anthony/Martes CUR 2-0 (21-9, 21-10)

USA’s Turner/Kraft and González/Navas of Puerto Rico win their Pools in El Salvador

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SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador, December 8, 2023.- Molly Turner and Deahna Kraft from the United States, along with Puerto Ricans María González and Allanis Navas, won their respective pools on the first day of action at the fifth stage of the 2023 NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour at the Flor Blanca Sports Complex.

Turner/Kraft topped Pool A and González/Navas won Pool B, both moved into Saturday’s quarterfinals.

Molly Turner alongside Deahna Kraft from the United States secured the top spot in Pool A with victories over Nahima Silva and Lolette Rodríguez from Nicaragua 2-0 (21-10, 21-8), and El Salvador’s Yvonne Soler and Laura Molina 2-0 (21-15, 21-13).

Laura Molina ESA- Molly Turner USA

With the dramatic victory of Soler/Molina (ESA) 2-1 (15-21, 21-15, 15-5) over Silva/Rodríguez (NCA), the local team also advanced to the quarterfinals as the second team from Pool A.

In Pool B, María González and Allanis Navas from Puerto Rico needed three sets to triumph over Canadians Devin Corah/Adriel Goodman 2-1 (21-12, 18-21, 15-11), who had previously won 2-0 (21-10, 21-15) against Cristina Almeida-Anz/Amber Bennett from the U.S. Virgin Islands.

González and Navas concluded the day defeating Almeida-Anz/Bennet 2-0 (21-7, 21-9). Both González/Navas and Corah/Goodman advanced to the next round.

In Pool C, Mexico’s Katherine Albarrán and Yeray Vidaurrazaga won both of their matches of the day, both in three sets and coming from behind. The Mexican duo started the day with a 2-1 victory (21-14, 19-21, 15-10) against Katherine Quesada and Eugenia Ramírez from Costa Rica, and then surprised Avery Poppinga/Katie Lindstrom from the United States with a 2-1 win (16-21, 21-17, 15-6).

Adriel Goodman CAN

Poppinga/Lindstrom (USA) and Quesada/Ramírez (CRC) won against Daniela Vigil/Keiry Guzmán 2-0 (21-8, 21-17) and 2-0 (21-11, 21-10) respectively.

Lea Monkhouse and Marie-Alex Bélanger from Canada had two comfortable victories in Pool D; first against Kathya Vásquez and Sofía Velásquez from El Salvador 2-0 (21-13, 21-8), and then against T’ara Austin/Mannika Charles from the U.S. Virgin Islands 2-0 (21-8, 21-8).

In the same pool, Atenas Gutiérrez and Abril Flores from Mexico secured an emphatic victory of 2-0 (21-4, 21-11) against Austin/Charles (ISV) and 2-0 (21-16, 21-9) against El Salvador’s Vásquez/Velásquez.

Monkhouse/Bélanger and Gutiérrez/Flores will decide the first-place finisher in Pool D.

Pool-play will resume on Saturday morning, the quarterfinals will follow.

Women’s Results Friday

Pool A: Turner/Kraft USA d Silva/Lolette NCA 2-0 (21-10, 21-8); Turner/Kraft USA d Soler/Molina ESA 2-0 (21-15, 21-13); Soler/Molina ESA d Silva/Lolette NCA 2-1 (15-21, 21-15, 15-5)

Pool B: Corah/Goodman CAN d Almeida-Anz/Bennett ISV 2-0 (21-10, 21-15); González/Navas d Corah/Goodman CAN 2-1 (21-12, 18-21, 15-11); González/Navas d Almeida-Anz/Bennett ISV 2-0 (21-7, 21-9)

Pool C: Albarrán/Vidaurrazaga MEX d Quesada/Ramírez CRC 2-1 (21-14, 19-21, 15-10); Poppinga/Lindstrom USA d Daniela/Guzmán ESA 2-0 (21-8, 21-17); Albarrán/Vidaurrazaga MEX d Poppinga/Lindstrom USA 2-1 (16-21, 21-17, 15-6); Quesada/Ramírez CRC d Daniela/Guzmán ESA 2-0 (21-11, 21-10)

Pool D: Bélanger/Monkhouse CAN d Vásquez/Velásquez ESA 2-0 (21-13, 21-8); Gutiérrez/Flores MEX d Austin/Charles ISV 2-0 (21-4, 21-11); Bélanger/Monkhouse CAN d Austin/Charles ISV 2-0 (21-8, 21-8); Gutiérrez/Flores MEX d Vásquez/Velásquez ESA 2-0 (21-16, 21-9)

NORCECA Tour Fifth Stage serves off on Friday at El Salvador

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SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador, December 7, 2023.- The Fifth Stage of the NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour serves off on Friday where 14 women’s and 16 men’s teams are set to compete at the Beach Sports Stadium of Flor Blanca Sports Complex in San Salvador, El Salvador.

The event that will be livestreamed on www.AloudSports.com, features medalists of this 2023 season.

María González and Allanis Navas from Puerto Rico won the last two stages of the tour, in addition to clinching the championship at the Central American and Caribbean Games right here in San Salvador.

The duo of Atenas Gutiérrez and Abril Flores emerged as winners of the first stage in Aguascalientes. Atenas also claimed the silver medal in the second stage in Varadero, but with Susana Torres.

American Katie Lindstrom took home Varadero’s gold with Teegan Van Gunst, but here she pairs with Avery Poppinga.

Molly Turner, who finished in second place in Punta Cana, will team up with Deahna Kraft as another pair representing the United States.

Lea Monkhouse from Canada, who won the bronze medal in the third stage in the Cayman Islands, is joining forces with Marie-Alex Bélanger.

El Salvador during prleliminary inquiry

On the men’s side, Miguel Sarabia and Juan Virgen from Mexico, champions of the Central American and Caribbean Games here in El Salvador, won the third stage of the tour in the Cayman Islands and kicked off the season in Aguascalientes with a silver medal.

Both Canadian teams, Arran Chambers/Liam Kopp and Jake MacNeil/Alexander Russell, also earned medals this year. Chambers/Kopp claimed bronze in Aguascalientes, while MacNeil/Russell won silver in Punta Cana.

Women’s Teams

CANADA Devin Corah/Adriel Goodman; Lea Monkhouse/Marie-Alex Bélanger; COSTA RICA Katherine Quesada/Eugenia Ramírez; EL SALVADOR Yvonne Soler/Laura Molina; Kathya Vásquez/Sofía Velásquez; Daniela Vigil/Keiry Guzmán; MEXICO Katherine Albarrán/Yeray Vidaurrazaga; Atenas Gutiérrez/Abril Flores; NICARAGUA Nahima Silva/Lolette Rodríguez; PUERTO RICO María González/Allanis Navas; UNITED STATES Molly Turner/Deahna Kraft; Avery Poppinga/Katie Lindstrom; U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS Cristina Almeida-Anz/Amber Bennett; T’ara Austin/Mannika Charles

Men’s Teams

BERMUDAS Brandon Sousa/Benjamin Barnett; CANADA Arran Chambers/Liam Kopp; Jake MacNeil/Alexander Russell; COSTA RICA Criforth Lobo/Yulius Brown; CURACAO Lysandro Martes/ Quinten Anthony; EL SALVADOR Christopher Guardado/Yoel Guardado; Franklin Flores/Armando Guatemala; Gabriel Vargas/ David Vargas; GUATEMALA José Miguel Izaguirre/Mario Ventura; MEXICO Miguel Sarabia/Juan Virgen; NICARAGUA Carlos Solís/Denis López; ST. KITTS & NEVIS Shawn Seabrookes/Clerique Ward; TRINIDAD & TOBAGO Joel Theodore/Stephen Enile; UNITED STATES Jordan Hoppe/James Shaw; Charles Siragusa/Zephyr Dew; U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS Marc Lomeli/Anthony Pippen

Official Announcement for the fifth stop of the NORCECA Tour

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SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador, December 7, 2023. – The official announcement of the return of the NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour after 13 years to the City of San Salvador, was made during a press conference for the local media.

The organizing committee, along with several teams already in San Salvador, provided details about the fifth stage of the Tour that runs from December 8 to 10. A level-of play is expected, with the participation of medalists from the recent Central American and Caribbean Games held here in El Salvador.

The venue will be at the beach sports stadium at the Flor Blanca Sports Complex, which, according to Yamil Bukele, the Ad Honorem director of the Salvadoran Institute of Sports (INDES), “is one of the legacies left by the Central American and Caribbean Games”.

Trophies

“We will have the pleasure of witnessing high-level volleyball, and I want to encourage our athletes to give their best. For us, they are already champions, but, of course, we want the best results at the end of these three days of competition”, stated Bukele.

The competition will feature representatives from 13 countries, with 16 confirmed men’s pairs and 14 women’s pairs, according to Eduardo Paiz, member of the organizing committee.

Shen Liou, the president of the Salvadoran Volleyball Federation, mentioned that “games will be played from 8:30 in the morning until 7 in the evening on three courts, with more than 40 matches throughout the tournament. Admission will be free of charge so that everyone can enjoy this spectacle”.

The champions from the past Central American and Caribbean Games are returning to El Salvador, Juan Virgen alongside Miguel Sarabia from Mexico, and the Puerto Rican duo of Allanis Navas and María González. Also from Mexico, Atenas Gutiérrez and Abril Flores, bronze medalists.

The NORCECA Tour awards ranking points as part of the qualification process for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

El Salvador Welcomes the Fifth Stage of the NORCECA Beach Tour

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SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador, December 5, 2023.- El Salvador welcomes the fifth stage of the 2023 NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour from December 8 to 10 at Flor Blanca Sports Complex in the City of San Salvador.

This is the third occasion that El Salvador hosts the NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour. El Salvador last hosted the NORCECA Tour thirteen years ago in 2010, with the first occasion being in 2008.

The event that serves off on Friday at the Beach Sports Stadium at Flor Blanca Sports Complex that was built for this year’s twenty fourth edition of the Central American and Caribbean Games, will be livestreamed on www.AloudSports.com.

Sports Complex Flor Blanca

The fifth stage of the NORCECA Tour has a “pre-registration” of 30 teams representing 13 countries; 14 women’s pairs and 16 men’s pairs. The official list will be confirmed during the general technical meeting scheduled for Thursday.

Canada and the United States each present two pairs per gender. El Salvador has three women’s teams and two men’s teams. Costa Rica and Nicaragua have one team per gender. Mexico and the U.S. Virgin Islands have two women’s teams and one men’s team.

Puerto Rico will compete in the women’s division, while Bermuda, Curacao, Guatemala, Saint Kitts and Nevis, as well as Trinidad and Tobago, will participate only in men.

FIVB Executive Committee Looks Ahead To Volleyball’s Bright Future

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LAUSANNE, Switzerland, November 30, 2023.- The FIVB Executive Committee this week hosted a hybrid meeting to discuss the latest innovations and achievements in sport while looking ahead to the bright future of volleyball with many new and important initiatives explored.

With the Continental Confederation Presidents joining from the FIVB Headquarters, the FIVB Executive Committee heard updates on volleyball and beach volleyball events and were also presented with the latest information from Volleyball World by its CEO, Finn Taylor.

2023 has been a very successful year for volleyball and beach volleyball, with the sports captivating audiences globally through a series of world-class competitions. These competitions included the Volleyball Nations League (VNL), Beach Pro Tour, Beach Volleyball World Championships, Olympic Qualification Tournaments and various age-group events.

In his opening remarks, FIVB President Dr Ary S. Graça F° also shared the latest achievements through the revolutionary Volleyball Empowerment and Development programmes, stating:

“Over the past decade, we have not only transformed the reality of our sport by introducing a range of innovations on and off the field of play, but we have also provided opportunities to all 222 National Federations through our revolutionary programmes of Volleyball Empowerment and Development!

“Since 2017, the FIVB has approved a total of 840 projects from 194 National Federations across all five Continental Confederations. This support totals an investment of more than CHF 23 million. These projects are delivering great results, which we consistently share with you through the FIVB website and newsletters. All the data is transparently available through the FIVB Project Dashboard Data Visualisation tool.”

The FIVB Executive Committee also discussed the next steps on launching the FIVB Foundation and announcing the detailed Volleyball Calendar 2025-2028.

Volleyball Calendar 2025-2028 Approved By The FIVB Board Of Administration

All You Need To Know About The 2025-2028 Volleyball Calendar!

FIVB Foundation To Be Launched In 2023!

Additionally, the FIVB Executive Committee approved the re-location of Luxembourg from the Small Countries Zonal Association (SCA) to the Middle European Volleyball Zonal Association (MEVZA) following the approval of the CEV Board of Administration.

Soon Continental Volleyball and Beach Volleyball Refereeing Course

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PONCE, Puerto Rico, November 29, 2023 – The NORCECA/FIVB Regional Volleyball Development Center announces the Continental Volleyball and Beach Volleyball Refereeing Course to be held in Ponce, Puerto Rico from January 19 to 24, 2024.

As part of the training activities conducted by the NORCECA/FIVB Regional Volleyball Development Center in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, the Continental Volleyball and Beach Volleyball Refereeing Course will be carried in person in the city of Ponce, Puerto Rico.

The course will be conducted in both English and Spanish. Those interested should contact the Development Center directly for more details:

Email: centrofivb_rdom@yahoo.es

WhatsApp: +1-809-563-5642

Nicaragua Women and Costa Rica Men Central American U17 Beach Champions

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SAN JOSE, Costa Rica, November 25, 2023.- The duo of Ella Resau and Yulimar Alvarado from Nicaragua and Stanley Grant and Cristian Oporta from Costa Rica are the Champions of the first edition of the Under-17 Central American Beach Volleyball Championship held at the Parque Metropolitano la Sabana in Costa Rica.

Cristian Oporta and Stanley Grant, from Costa Rica, beat Yustin Gantes and Einar Rodríguez, from Panama, 2-0 (21-13, 21-9) and later, in the last game of the tournament, they confirmed their supremacy against Nicaraguan duo of José Fernando Castro and Diego Cardoza, whom they beat 2-0 (21-10, 21-13), with six consecutive wins and no defeats confirming their Central American crown for their country.

Oporta and Grant opened the way to the title on Friday, when they beat Guatemala (2-1) and Panama (2-1); a firm step that they maintained on Saturday, by beating Nicaragua (2-0) and Guatemala (2-1), and that they consolidated this Sunday with new victories over Panama (2-0) and Nicaragua (2-0).

NICARAGUA

Second place went to Juan Carlos Menéndez and Daniel Sosa from Guatemala and Panama’s Yustin Gantes and Einar Rodríguez won the bronze.

In women, the U17 gold went to the Nicaragua’s Ella Resau and Yulimar Alvarado, who this Sunday in a key game added their fourth win in a row beating Devora Medina 2-1 (21-11, 18-21, 15-9) and Daniela Vigil, from El Salvador (silver medal).

Costa Ricans Sury Jiménez and Mariana Fallas defeated Panamanians Keysi Fuentes and Dayanis Ríos 2-0 this Sunday, 21-17, 21-14, to finish third place in the U17 Central American Beach Volleyball Championship.

The silver medal went to El Salvador and Costa Rica took the bronze.

ALBUM FLICKR SUB 17 MASCULINO

ALBUM FLICKR SUB 17 FEMENINO

AFECAVOL I SUB17 DE VOLEIBOL DE PLAYA

WOMEN’S PODIUM

GOLD: NICARAGUA

SILVER: EL SALVADOR

BRONZE: COSTA RICA

MEN’S PODIUM

GOLD: COSTA RICA

SILVER: GUATEMALA

BRONZE: PANAMA

WOMEN RESULTS

Resau/AlvaradoNCAVasquez/OsorioGUA2–021–1521–10
Fuentes/RiosPANJimenez/FallasCRC0–217–2114–21
Vigil/MedinaESAResau/AlvaradoNCA0–211–2121–189–15

MEN RESULTS

Gantes/RodriguezPANOporta/GrantCRC0–213–219–21
Castro/CardozaNCAMenendez/SosaGUA0–215–2114–21
Menendez/SosaGUAGantes/RodriguezPAN2–024–2221–18
Oporta/GrantCRCCastro/CardozaNCA2–021–1021–13

Costa Rica U19 Beach Volleyball Central American Champions

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SAN JOSÉ, Costa Rica, November 25, 2023.- Julián Araya and Yulius Brown and Valentina Molina and Aliza Aguilar of the Costa Rica were crowned Champions of the second edition of the Under-19 Central American Beach Volleyball Champions that concluded on Sunday at La Sabana Metropolitan Park, in San José Costa Rica.

With perfect pace, Araya/Brown gave Costa Rica the Championship after defeating Rafael Vargas and Levi Rauda, from El Salvador, 2-0 (21-11, 21-14), on day three of the tournament, ending the contest with 10 points, undefeated in five appearances and without losing a single set, after defeating Guatemala 2-0 on Friday, Panama and Nicaragua on Saturday, and today against Panama.

The silver medal went to Roberto Recinos / José Daniel Guevara from Guatemala and the bronze medal went to Panama’s duo of Víctor Araúz / Adamit del Cid Moreno.

PAN vs CRC

In women, Valentina Molina and Aliza Aguilar from Costa Rica defeated Panamanians Krisleen González and Elleny Espinoza in two sets on Sunday, 22-20, 21-5, to close with a perfect record and becoming Central American champions.

Molina and Aguilar added four victories in a row, after their victories over Nicaragua (2-0) on Friday, Guatemala (2-1) and El Salvador (2-0) on Saturday, and today against Panama (2- 0).

The silver medal went to Maritza Zúñiga/ Danna Aguilar from Guatemala and the Bronze medal went to Yuliana Chávez/ Kadderly Rosales from Nicaragua.

ALBUM FLICKR SUB19 MASCULINO

ALBUM FLICKR SUB19 FEMENINO

AFECAVOL II SUB19 DE VOLEIBOL DE PLAYA

WOMEN PODIUM

ORO: COSTA RICA

PLATA: GUATEMALA

BRONCE: NICARAGUA

MEN PODIUM

ORO: COSTA RICA

PLATA: GUATEMALA

BRONCE: PANAMÁ

RESULTS DAY 3

MEN

Rauda/VargasESARecinos/GuevaraGUA0–210–2115–21
Arauz/Del CidPANSolís/GuadamuzNCA1–216–2121–1710–15
Araya/BrownCRCRauda/VargasESA2–021–1121–14

WOMEN

Chaves/RosalesNCAZúñiga/AguilarGUA0–215–2119–21
González/EspinozaPANMolina/AguilarCRC0–220–225–21
Reyes/RendonESAChaves/RosalesNCA0–29–2118–21

Costa Rica Leads U19 Central American Championship in Both Genders

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SAN JOSÉ, Costa Rica, November 25, 2023. – The host teams won all their matches on the second day of the II Under-19 Central American Beach Volleyball Championship, leading the standings in the quest for a medal in Costa Rica.

The sand courts in La Sabana, the Costa Rican capital, enjoyed six exciting matches, three in each gender, with the support of the crowd.

In women, the Costa Rican duo of Valentina Molina and Aliza Aguilar first defeated Danna Aguilar and Maritza Zúñiga from Guatemala in three sets, 2-1 (19-21, 23-21/17-15), in the most thrilling match so far.

In their second match, they dominated Alexandra Reyes and Fátima Rendón from El Salvador 2-0 (21-6/21-10).

Panama’s Krisleen González/Elleny Solís also defeated El Salvador 2-0 (21-11/21-16).

Costa Rica will enter the last day leading the event, followed by 2-Guatemala, 3-Panama, 4-Nicaragua, and 5-El Salvador.

Meanwhile, in men, Julián Araya and Yulius Brown of Costa Rica also won over their two opponents of the day.

In their first match of the day, they won 2-0 (21-18/21-12) after the withdrawal of Angelo Guadamuz and Evans Solís from Nicaragua when the second set was in progress due to an injury of Guadamuz.

Araya/Brown also defeated Víctor Arauz and Adamit del Cid from Panama 2-0 (21-14/21-15).

The day was completed with the victory of the Guatemalan pair José Guevara and Roberto Recinos against Nicaragua 2-0 (21-10/21-17).

On Sunday, starting at 9:00 am, Costa Rica will seek a medal, leading the standings, followed by 2-Panama, 3-Guatemala, 4-Nicaragua, and 5-El Salvador.

ALBUM FLICKR SUB19 MASCULINO

ALBUM FLICKR SUB19 FEMENINO

AFECAVOL I CENTROAMERICANO SUB17 DE PLAYA

Women Results U19

– Zúñiga/Aguilar GUA 1-2 CRC Molina/Aguilar (21-19/21-23/15-17)

– Gonzales/Espinoza PAN 2-0 ESA Reyes/Rendón (21-11/21-16)

– Molina/Aguilar CRC 2-0 ESA Reyes/Rendón (21-6/21-10)

Men Results U19

– Recinos/Guevara GUA 2-0 NCA Solís/Guadamuz (21-10/21-17)

– Araya/Brown CRC 2-0 PAN Arauz/Del Cid (21-14/21-15)

– Solís/Guadamuz NCA 0-2 CRC Araya/Brown (18-21/12-21)

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