Tag: Norceca

Tough Loss for Canada Against Japan in the VNL

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June 7, 2025.– Canada suffered a tough defeat in the 2025 Volleyball Nations League (VNL) Pool 1, at TD Place in Ottawa, Ontario. The Canadian team, playing at home, lost 0-3 (24-26, 20-25, 19-25) to Japan.

Their opposite and team captain, Kiera Van Ryk, was Canada’s top scorer with 11 points, one block, one ace, and the rest from attacks. Hilary Howe contributed 9 points (7 from attacks and 2 blocks).

Kiera Van Ryk CAN

Canada’s blocking was dominant, with an 8-0 advantage over Japan, but the Japanese team led in attacks (39-33) and service aces (7-3). The Asians also capitalized on 30 points from unforced Canadian errors.

With this loss, Canada now holds two defeats and just one win. Japan remains undefeated with three straight-set victories.

The final day of the first week of the women’s VNL will be played this Sunday, June 8. In Pool 1 action in Ottawa, the Dominican Republic faces Japan at 11:00 a.m. local time, while Canada hosts Serbia at 6:00 p.m. local time. In Pool 2, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the United States will face Korea at 4:00 p.m. local time.

Antigua, Anguilla, St. Lucia, and Dominica Reach Women’s Final Four at ECVA U21 Beach Volleyball

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BASSETERRE, St. Kitts & Nevis, June 7, 2025.- The duos of Jassania Joseph/Jaya Carr of Antigua and Barbuda, Deandra Fleming/Lavesha Richardson of Anguilla, St. Lucia’s Ericka Gaspard/Clio Phillip and Dominica’s Alyssa Bully/Joyan Pascal are the final four women’s teams at the 2025 ECVA U21 Beach Volleyball Championship being held in St. Kitts and Nevis.

Sunday’s semifinal matchups will see Jassania Joseph and Jaya Carr of Antigua and Barbuda go head-to-head with Dominica’s Alyssa Bully and Joyan Pascal, while St. Lucia’s Ericka Gaspard and Clio Phillip will clash with Deandra Fleming and Lavesha Richardson of Anguilla for a place in the championship final.

Joseph/Carr of Antigua and Barbuda overcame a slow start and battled through rain and strong winds to claim a hard-fought 2-1 (18-21, 21-15, 15-12) victory over Bermuda’s Kayley Hamilton and Hailey Moss. Despite losing the opening set, the Antiguan pair adjusted their game and showed resilience under the challenging weather conditions to secure the win.

Richardson and Fleming of Anguilla advanced to the semifinals with a straight-sets victory over Gereliva Spanner and Gercia Brown of St. Eustatius, winning 2-0 (21-14, 21-11) in the quarterfinals

St. Lucia’s Phillip/Ericka delivered a dominant performance in the quarterfinals, displaying confidence to overpower  the home team of Celina Awlani and Hensley Phillip 2-0 (21-12, 21-6).

Dominica’s Bully and Pascal  delivered a solid performance in the final quarterfinal match of the day. The duo secured a straight-set victory over Grenada’s Xenia Collins and Teasia Jones, winning 2-0 (21-14, 21-12) to punch their ticket to the semifinals.

In the Round of 12, Awlani/Hensley Phillip of St. Kitts and Nevis (SKN) claimed a straight-set victory over Dryaton/Farington of the British Virgin Islands  2-0 (21-19, 21-11). Teasia and Collins of Grenada edged out Amritt/Pinney from SKN in a tightly contested match, winning 2-1 (21-9, 18-21, 16-14). Spanner and Brown of Sint Eustatius cruised past Andrew/Campbell, also from SKN, with a convincing 2-0 (21-7, 21-15). Meanwhile, Joseph/Carr from Antigua and Barbuda bounced back after dropping the first set to defeat Gibson/Matthews of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines  2-1 (21-23, 21-6, 15-10).

Results U21 ECVA Women’s Beach Championship

Watch the event on: Twitch.TV

Dominica, St. Kitts & Nevis, Grenada, and St. Lucia Headed to ECVA U21 Beach Volleyball Men’s Semifinals

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BASSETERRE, St. Kitts & Nevis, June 7, 2025.- Despite intermittent rain and strong winds, Defending champions Mervin Mingo/Bill Frederick of Dominica, Jedediah Pencheon/Vikash Sundar of St. Kitts and Nevis, Grenada’s Walcott Zerick/Kibose Hamilton, along with St. Lucia’s Victor Rio and Peter Emmanuel, emerged as the top four men’s teams of the 2025 ECVA U21 Beach Volleyball Championship.

Sunday’s semifinals will see Jedediah Pencheon and Vikash Sundar of St. Kitts and Nevis face Victor Rio and Peter Emmanuel of St. Lucia, while Dominica’s Mervin Mingo and Bill Frederick take on Walcott Zerick and Kibose Hamilton of Grenada.

Sundar/Pencheon of St. Kitts and Nevis thrilled the home crowd with a commanding performance, defeating Antigua and Barbuda’s Khaliq Joseph and Miguel Lugo in straight sets, 2-0 (22-20, 21-13), in the quarterfinals.

Dominica’s Mingo/Frederick delivered a powerful performance in their quarterfinal match, defeating Alex Lall and Joash Walters of St. Kitts and Nevis in straight sets, 2-0 (21-17, 21-7). After a competitive first set, the Dominican duo tightened their grip on the match, dominating the second set with a decisive scoreline to advance to the semifinals.

Zerick and Hamilton of Grenada showed composure and consistency throughout the quarterfinal clash, earning their spot in the semifinals with a 2-0 (21-19, 21-16) victory over the British Virgin Islands duo, Maduro Dunkley and Alexander Wheatley.

Finally, St. Lucia’s team Rio/Emmanuel clinched the last spot in the semifinals with a composed and efficient 2-0 (21-17, 21-17) victory over Julian Bristol and Komarr Fraties of St. Kitts and Nevis, sealing their place among the tournament’s top four teams.

Earlier in the day, in the Round of 12, Lugo/Joseph of Antigua and Barbuda dominated D’jario Hassell/De Jesus of Sint Eustatius with a commanding 2-0 win (21-10, 21-10). Mingo/Frederick of Dominica also secured a straight-set victory, defeating Bermuda’s Dos Santos Martin/Mello Kyle Mello 2-0 (21-11, 21-9). Bristol/Fraties from St. Kitts and Nevis overpowered Smith/Reid of Anguilla, also with a 2-0 score (21-12, 21-12). In a more competitive encounter, Maduro Dunkley Maduro/Wheatley of the British Virgin Islands edged past Alexander/Stephen from St. Vincent and the Grenadines in three sets, 2-1 (21-16, 19-21, 15-10).

Results U21 ECVA Women’s Beach Championship

Watch the event on: Twitch.TV

One month to go: get ready for first-ever World Volleyball Day

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LAUSANNE, Switzerland, June 7, 2025.- 7 July 2025 marks a historic moment for our sport – the inaugural World Volleyball Day, and it is now just one month away!

The date commemorates the first public demonstration of volleyball by William Morgan in 1895 and will annually serve as a global celebration of volleyball.

The day will bring the Global Volleyball Movement together like never before, uniting players, fans, clubs, FIVB stakeholders, partners and friends from every corner of the world. Whether it is played on a beach, a court, in a park or in the home, volleyball is for everyone. The very nature of the sport encourages teamwork and collaboration. It’s fast, exciting, fun, and it has a unique power to bring people together. The FIVB Strategic Vision 2032 speaks to this power through the pillars of professionalism, integration, empowerment and mass participation. Now, through World Volleyball Day, our sport has its very own day to celebrate these values.

By playing, watching, promoting or engaging with volleyball in all its forms, you will have the opportunity to be part of a shared global experience. Whether you are a player, coach, supporter, organisation or partner, your voice and your passion will help make World Volleyball Day 2025 a truly memorable occasion.

This is a day for us all to demonstrate that volleyball is for everyone, everywhere.

For any enquiries, please contact us at press@fivb.com

Let’s come together and make history. Let’s celebrate volleyball – Together as One.

Dominicans win another thriller, USA dramatic third loss

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June 6, 2025.- The first week of the Volleyball Nations League 2025 has been intense, but also successful for the Dominican Republic, which secured on Friday their second victory in three matches in the tournament, while the U.S. fell in dramatic five sets to Czechia in their third loss.

Dominican Republic returns to winning ways

One of the six teams competing in Pool 1, in Ottawa, Canada, the Queens of the Caribbean won their second five-setter in three days at The Arena at TD Place, taking the Netherlands down to keep their record positive.

If their opening-match five-set victory over Serbia on Wednesday featured a massive comeback for the Dominicans, their triumph over the Dutch had a different script, with ups and downs from both sides and tremendous back-and-forth before the Caribbeans prevailed 3-2 (22-25, 25-19, 28-26, 22-25, 15-13).

With two of their first three matches in Ottawa going to five sets, the Dominicans have played as many as 14 sets so far – before beating Serbia, they lost 3-1 to Bulgaria on Thursday.

Against the Dutch, the Caribbean could rely on their two main scorers as Brayelin Martínez and Gaila González combined for an impressive 51 points – the outside hitter registered 26, with 23 kills, two blocks and one ace, while the opposite produced 25, with 19 kills, three blocks and three aces.

The Dominican team outperformed the Netherlands 10-7 in blocks, and their serve was dominant, delivering 7 aces to the Netherlands’ 3.

With this victory, the Dominican Republic climbed to sixth place in the overall standings among the 18 teams competing in the 2025 VNL, with 2 wins and 1 loss for a total of 4 points.

Gaila Gonzalez DOM (2)

USA Can’t Hold the Lead, Suffers Third Consecutive Loss

The United States was unable to maintain their initial 2-0 set lead and ended up losing in five sets (25-23, 25-20, 17-25, 20-25, 25-27) to the Czechia. The final set was full of emotions—Team USA had a 10-7 lead but ultimately lost 25-27 in a set that was supposed to go to 15 points.

Despite the Czechs committing 31 unforced errors, they were superior at the net (82-66 in attacks) and in service aces (7-2). The USA led in blocks, 13-6.

Sarah Franklin was the top scorer for the U.S. with 20 points (19 attacks, 1 block), Amber Igiede added 18 points (13 attacks, 4 blocks, 1 ace), while Molly McCage and Logan Eggleston also scored in double digits with 11 points each, and Logan Lednicky added 10 points.

This marked the third loss for the United States.

On Saturday, June 7, in Ottawa, only one match will be played: Canada will face Japan at 4:00 PM local time. The Dominican Republic and the United States will have the day off.

Sarah Franklin USA

Anguilla Women Defend their ECVA U21 Beach Volleyball Title on Day One

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BASSETERRE, St. Kitts and Nevis, June 6, 2025.- Defending champions Deandra Fleming and Lavesha Richardson of Anguilla won Pool A defeating the local duo of Celina Alwani and Jontelle Hensley Philip and Roneika Gibson alongside Veronique Matthews of St. Vincent and the Grenadines on day one of the Women’s 2025 ECVA U21 Beach Volleyball Championship in St. Kitts and Nevis.

Joining Richardson/Fleming in the quarterfinals are St. Lucia’s Ericka Gaspard and Clio Phillip, Kayley Hamilton and Hailey Moss of Bermuda, and Dominica’s Alyssa Bully and Joyan Pascal.

Anguilla’s Deandra Fleming and Lavesha Richardson secured a 2-0 victory (21-12, 23-21) over Celina Alwani and Jontelle Hensley Philip of St. Kitts and Nevis to win Pool A. Earlier in the day, Richardson/Fleming had also defeated St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ Gibson/Matthews in straight sets (21-18, 21-15), while Alwani/Hensley Philip claimed a 2-0 win (21-8, 21-14) over the same Vincentian duo.

St. Lucia’s Ericka Gaspard and Clio Phillip dominated Pool B to finish at the top with two commanding victories. They opened with a dominant 2-0 win (21-4, 21-7) over St. Kitts and Nevis’ Jahzara Andrew and Asia Campbell, then sealed first place by defeating Grenada’s Xenia Collins and Teasia Jones in straight sets (21-14, 21-14). Earlier, Teasia/Collins had swept Andrew/Campbell 2-0 (21-13, 21-11).

Kayley Hamilton and Hailey Moss of Bermuda emerged as the winners of Pool C with a flawless performance, winning both of their matches in straight sets. The pair displayed dominance throughout, first defeating Azarraha Amritt and Shaylee Pinney of St. Kitts and Nevis 2-0 (21-4, 21-10) and then overpowering Gereliva Spanner and Gercia Brown of St. Eustatius 2-0 (21-8, 21-9). Spanner/Brown were coming from a three-set victory 2-1 (4-21, 21-16, 15-12) against Amritt/Pinney.

Dominica’s Alyssa Bully and Joyan Pascal claimed the top spot in Pool D with back-to-back three-set victories. They opened the day by rallying from a set down to defeat the British Virgin Islands’ Natalia Drayton and Megan Farrington 2-1 (16-21, 21-16, 15-10). Bully and Pascal then secured the pool win with a gritty 2-1 triumph (21-15, 23-21, 15-6) over Antigua and Barbuda’s Jassania Joseph and Jaya Carr. Earlier, Joseph and Carr swept Drayton and Farrington 2-0 (21-11, 21-14).

Day two of the event will start with round of 12 to determine the quarterfinal matchups.

Results U21 ECVA Women’s Beach Championship

Watch the event on: Twitch.TV

Defending Champs Dominica fall to St. Lucia in ECVA U21 Men Beach Opening Day

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BASSETERRE, Saint Kitts and Nevis, June 6, 2025.- Dominica’s Mervin Mingo and Bill Frederick lost to Victor Rio and Peter Emmanuel of St. Lucia in a hard-fought 2-1 battle (17-21, 21-19, 15-12) in Pool A on opening day of the Men’s 2025 ECVA U21 Beach Volleyball Championship in Saint Kitts and Nevis.

Victor Rio and Peter Emmanuel of St. Lucia, along with Jedediah Puncheon/Vikash Sundar and Alex Lall/Joash Walters of St. Kitts and Nevis, and Grenada’s Zerick Walcott and Kibose Hamilton advanced to quarterfinals after winning their respective pools.

Pool A was claimed by Victor Rio and Peter Emmanuel of St. Lucia, who rallied to defeat Dominica’s Mervin Mingo and Bill Frederick. Both teams advanced to the pool-deciding match by defeating Anguilla’s Trevon Smith and Shaquoy Reid in straight sets. Mingo and Frederick won their matchup 2-0 (21-8, 21-14), while Rio and Emmanuel dominated with a 2-0 victory (21-7, 21-13).

Host country duos Jedediah Puncheon/Vikash Sundar and Alex Lall/Joash Walters emerged as winners of Pools B and C, respectively.

Jedediah Puncheon and Vikash Sundar clinched first place in Pool B with a straight-sets victory over St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ Dishawn Alexander and Stephen Woods, 2-0 (21-12, 25-23). Earlier in the day, both pairs had secured wins against St. Eustatius’ D’jario Hassell and Zjondre De Jesus. Puncheon and Sundar triumphed 2-0 (21-8, 21-12), while Alexander and Woods also posted a 2-0 result (21-4, 21-10).

Alex Lall and Joash Walters faced a tougher road to claim the top spot in Pool C. They opened their campaign with a hard-fought three-set win (21-18, 16-21, 15-10) over the British Virgin Islands duo of Maduro Dunkley and Alexander Wheatley. In the decisive match, Lall and Walters battled fiercely to secure a straight-sets victory (21-19, 22-20) against Antigua and Barbuda’s Khaliq Joseph and Miguel Lugo, who had previously swept Wheatley and Dunkley 2-0 (21-12, 21-16).

Grenada’s Zerick Walcott and Kibose Hamilton opened Pool D play with a commanding 2-0 win (21-8, 21-13) over Bermuda’s Kyle Mello and Anijahe Dos Santo Martin. The home team, Julian Bristol and Komarr Fraties, also swept Bermuda in straight sets (21-8, 21-16). In a thrilling pool-deciding showdown, Walcott and Hamilton edged out Bristol and Fraties 2-0 (24-22, 23-21) to claim the top spot in Pool D.

Saturday starts with the round of 12, the winner will face group winners in the quarterfinal round. 

Results U21 ECVA Women’s Beach Championship

Watch the event on: Twitch.TV

FIVB reaffirms commitment to building a better world through volleyball during Olympism365 Summit

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LAUSSANNE, Switzerland, June 6, 2025.- At the inaugural Olympism365 Summit in Lausanne from 4 to 5 June, the FIVB stood at the heart of a transformative conversation on sport’s potential to drive sustainable development.  

Featured in the final plenary session, FIVB President Fabio Azevedo joined Olympic legend and changemaker Abhinav Bindra OLY on stage to speak candidly about how volleyball, and sport at large, can make a real difference through collective action. It was here that the FIVB President also pledged coordinated action with the FIVB and Volleyball Foundation to further scale and sustain Volley4Change in Vanuatu and extend the initiative into the wider Pacific region. 

The session, “Strengthening the Role of Sport as an Enabler of Sustainable Development: Summit Outcomes and Concrete Actions”, explored how sport can serve as a practical tool to help realise the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

President Fabio Azevedo opened by aligning the volleyball vision with that of the IOC – building a better world through sport. He then noted how the FIVB Strategic Vision 2032 is focused on making volleyball more affordable, accessible and understandable to people around the world. From elite arenas to grassroots courts in remote villages, the vision is about transforming volleyball into a truly global movement. 

At the centre of that transformation is the Volleyball Empowerment programme, a landmark initiative launched in 2021. With over USD 50 million invested in more than 1,489 projects across 205 countries, the programme supports coaching, equipment, and capacity-building to enable national teams to reach their full potential.  

However, realising these efforts needed to be expanded to projects not necessarily within the FIVB ecosystem, but still promoting the values of volleyball, the FIVB launched the Volleyball Foundation in 2024.  

The FIVB President spoke with passion about the Volleyball Foundation-supported Brahmaputra Volleyball League (BVL) in India, a grassroots league founded by former national captain Abhijit Bhattacharya, and emphasised how it reshaped his own sense of purpose. 

“I’ve been working for volleyball for 35 years now, but this was a lifetime experience for me,” said FIVB President Fabio Azevedo. “I saw kids playing barefoot, playing on dirt. I saw kids and a community, far from being privileged, donating everything. I met a lady, 93-years old, who donates 20% of her 150-dollar monthly pension to an under-12 volleyball team. And she’s following every single match. I saw kids playing barefoot like lions. That gave me, humbly, a greater responsibility to lead our sport towards society and to allow more people to have access to our sport.” 

IOC President-elect Kirsty Coventry also addressed the Summit to conclude the final session. During her speech, she reflected on the stories from the BVL, commenting: 

“Fabio, you felt the Ubuntu spirit. That fight of the lion of those kids, the 93-year-old lady sharing the little that she has, that’s exactly what it is. Ubuntu is a huge foundation for me; it’s a part of my legacy. It’s a part of my everyday life. And it is: I am because we are. And it means that any little thing I do has a ripple effect onto you and everyone around us.” 

Indian Olympic gold medallist and Founder of the Abhinav Bindra Foundation, Abhinav Bindra, stressed the importance of collective action when discussing the impact of the Olympic Values Education Programme (OVEP) in India.  

“Meaningful progress only happens when it is co-owned. When public systems, civil society and the sports movement not only align in purpose but design and sustain sports programmes together. Transformation only becomes real when ownership is shared, when these sectors come together, not just to align, but to co-create.  

“Sport must meet people where they are. Whether the priority is gender equality, mental health or climate action, sport must connect to what matters. People invest in what they can see, feel and benefit from.” 

In addition, Her Excellency Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, Vice President of the Qatar Foundation, who is also a member of the Volleyball Foundation Board, joined a panel alongside UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Ending Violence Against Children, Najat Maalla M’jidm.  

Addressing the Summit, Her Excellency stated: “One of the partnerships we worked on just yesterday was with the FIVB. We have committed to developing female coaches in volleyball and, once we pilot the real framework of developing female coaches, we would like to see that across all the different sports.”  

Other speakers during the final plenary session included Zeph Nhleko, Chief Economist at the Development Bank of Southern Africa; Nate Hurst, Chief Sustainability Officer at Visa; Auvita Rapilla, IOC Member and Chair of the IOC Olympism365 Commission; and Emma Terho OLY, Chair of the IOC Athletes’ Commission.

Marte excited to enjoy VNL 2025 through pregnancy

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June 6, 2025.- Expecting her first baby, the Dominican captain will be with her team for as long as she can during the tournament.

The Dominican Republic will count on an extra body on the court for at least their first matches in the Volleyball Nations League 2025 as team captain and veteran setter Niverka Marte is playing the tournament while expecting her first baby.

The 34-year-old playmaker doesn’t know for how long she’ll be able to keep playing, but she definitely wants to enjoy the moments of joy she is experiencing this first week, as the Queens of the Caribbean have faced Serbia and Bulgaria, and will play the Netherlands and Japan in Ottawa, Canada.

Even though many players who want to start a family plan to do it in the post-Olympic year, that wasn’t exactly the case with Marte. Having a baby had long been a dream of her, but the Dominican captain was struck with both surprise and intense happiness when she found out she was pregnant.

“My husband and I have been thinking about having a baby for a long time, but we always kept focused on what our priorities were at the moment and the upcoming tournaments,” she told Volleyball World in an exclusive interview. “We didn’t plan for it to happen now, but when we realized it was happening, it was a moment of incredible happiness for us. Our wonderful baby came by the grace of God and He couldn’t have picked a better time to give us this gift.”

Feeling as energized as ever and having many examples of players who continued to compete through pregnancy, including her longtime national team friends Bethania De La Cruz and Brenda Castillo, Marte had no doubts that she wanted to continue to represent her country in the VNL for as long as she could.

“I never felt better before,” she said. “I’ve been so, so happy that I’m in an unexplainable mood all the time. And I feel stronger and with a constant desire to train my body, too. I think that many people portray pregnancy as a disease and make it look like you can’t do anything. I always saw it from an entirely different perspective, and now that I’m experiencing it, I feel it in an even stronger way. Of course, my body is changing, and I need to take care of my needs and my baby’s needs, but why should I stop my entire life? I’ll adapt to it as it goes and will keep listening to my body. I feel great and would love to be with my team on the VNL. The only recommendation my doctor made was that I enjoy this moment, and that’s what I’ll do.”

One thing that makes Marte’s experience of playing through pregnancy even more special is the fact that her husband, Omar Martinez, is the physical trainer of the Dominican national team. That means the two can experience every step of her pregnancy together, supporting each other along the way.

“I’ve met him a couple of years before he joined the national team, and I’ve become better in every area of my life after that,” the setter, a three-time Olympian, added. “Having him full-time by my side is the best thing that could have happened, and it’s not a coincidence that I’ve been playing every set of every tournament for many years now. He takes care of me in every area of my life, not just sports, and that means a lot. I’m so blessed to have him by my side.”

While Marte still can’t determine for how long she’ll be able to help her teammates on the court in the VNL, the setter can already confirm she will need to sit out of the upcoming FIVB Volleyball World Championship, set to take place from August 22-September 7, in Thailand, as her pregnancy will approach its final stage.

Part of the Dominican national team since 2008 and a starter and captain for over a decade, Marte’s absence will create a void in the team both technically and from a leadership standpoint. While she’s out, Ariana Rodríguez, Yokaty Pérez, Aylin Liberato and Camila De La Rosa are the candidates to step into the starting lineup at the setter spot.

“We have over 20 players training with the Dominican national team, and we’re all different, but everyone has something to bring to the table,” Marte reflected. “So, I don’t think anyone replaces someone on the team. The opportunities have always been there and will continue to be there.”

ECVA U21 Beach Volleyball Championship Kicks Off in Saint Kitts and Nevis

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Saint Kitts and Nevis, June 5, 2025.- The Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) U21 Beach Volleyball Championship is set to begin on Friday at the Marriott Beach, North Frigate Bay on the beautiful shores of Saint Kitts and Nevis.

This prestigious tournament will showcase twenty-four talented young teams, twelve per gender, representing ten different countries across the region, promoting sportsmanship and competition.

The top three teams in both genders will qualify for the NORCECA World Championship Qualifier Tournament in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, from July 3-7.

Crucial preparatory activities took place on the eve of the event, including registration process, ensuring their eligibility and documentation are in order. All teams had the opportunity to utilize the four tournament courts for training sessions, allowing them to acclimatize to the environment and fine-tune their strategies.  Finally, Glenn Quinlan, ECVA President, presided over the general technical meeting to discuss the tournament schedule, regulations and specific guidelines.

Teams are distributed in four groups. Pool play will be completed on the first day of the competition, where the winner of each group advances directly to Saturday’s quarterfinals. On day two, the round of 12 will decide who advances to the next round. The tournament will conclude on Sunday with position matches, semifinals and medal matches. 

WOMEN

Pool A: Deandra Fleming/Lavesha Richardson (AGU); Roneika Gibson/Veronique Matthews (VIN); Celina Alwani/Jontelle Hensley Philip (SKN).

Pool B: Ericka Gaspard/Clio Phillip (LCA); Xenia Collins/Teasia Jones (GRN); Jahzara Andrew/Asia Campbell (SKN).

Pool C: Kayley Hamilton/Hailey Moss (BER); Gereliva Spanner/Gercia Brown (EUX); Azarraha Amritt/Shaylee Pinney (SKN).

Pool D: Jassania Joseph/Jaya Carr (ANT); Alyssa Bully/Joyan Pascal (DMA);
Natalia Drayton/Megan Farrington (IVB)

MEN

Pool A: Mervin Mingo/Bill Frederick (DMA); Trevon Smith/Shaquoy Reid (AGU); Victor Rio/

Peter Emmanuel (LCA).

Pool B: Jedediah Puncheon/Vikash Sundar (SKN); Dishawn Alexander/Stephen Woods (VIN); D’jario Hassell/Zjondre De Jesus (EUX.

Pool C: Khaliq Joseph/Miguel Lugo (ANT); Maduro Dunkley/Alexander Wheatley (IVB);
Alex Lall/ Joash Walters (SKN).

Pool D: Zerick Walcott/ Kibose Hamilton (GRN); Kyle Mello/ Anijahe Dos Santo Martin (BER); Julian Bristol/Komarr Fraties (SKN).

Men’s Superior Volleyball League Postpones Start to October 2025 in Compliance with FIVB

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SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, June 5, 2025 .- In a meeting held this evening between the Puerto Rican Volleyball Federation (FPV) and the eight franchise owners of the Men’s Superior Volleyball League (LVSM), it was unanimously agreed to postpone the start of the 2025 season to October 20, 2025.

The decision was made to comply with the regulations set by the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) and to ensure the proper development of the competition under international standards.

FPV President Dr. César Trabanco confirmed the decision and noted that further details regarding tournament planning and necessary adjustments will be announced in the coming days to guarantee a competitive and well-organized event.

“Our top priority is to meet international requirements while also delivering a high-quality tournament for our players, clubs, and fans. We’ll soon be sharing key information about the schedule and other logistical aspects,” said Dr. Trabanco.

All eight teams are confirmed to participate in the upcoming season, and each team will be allowed up to two foreign reinforcements to strengthen their rosters.

Canada, USA, and Dominican Republic Suffer Defeats in Women’s VNL

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June 5, 2025.– All three NORCECA teams competing in the 2025 Women’s Volleyball Nations League (VNL) had a tough second day. In Pool 1, host nation Canada fell 1-3 to the Netherlands, while the Dominican Republic lost 1-3 to Bulgaria. Meanwhile, in Pool 2, USA suffered their second consecutive defeat, this time a 0-3 loss to Brazil.

Canada drops first match in Pool 1

Canada suffered their first loss of the 2025 VNL season, falling 1-3 (18-25, 25-22, 15-25, 23-25) to the Netherlands. In a match with few unforced errors, Canada committed 20, while the Netherlands had 24.

Canadian opposite and team captain Kiera Van Ryk once again led the scoring with 17 points (15 attacks, 1 block, 1 ace). The Dutch outperformed Canada in every skill, 55-48 in attacks, 13-3 in blocks, and 9-6 in aces.

With this result, Canada now holds a 1-1 record and 2 points, thanks to their win over Bulgaria the day before.

Andrea Mitrovic CAN

Dominican Republic falls in four sets to Bulgaria

Despite a standout performance from Brayelin Martínez, who scored 30 points (27 attacks, 3 blocks), and a strong effort in the second and fourth sets, the Dominican Republic was outlasted by Bulgaria 1-3 (21-25, 32-30, 19-25, 29-31).

Blocking was once again the Dominican team’s strongest weapon, dominating that category 16-11, but Bulgaria narrowly won in attacks 65-64 and led in service points 7-4.

The Dominican Republic now holds a 1-1 record with 2 points, following their victory over Serbia.

Brayelin Martinez DOM

USA suffers second straight loss

Brazil, the world’s second-ranked team, defeated USA, ranked third, in straight sets 3-0 (25-18, 25-17, 25-19) in Rio de Janeiro.

The young American squad was unable to match Brazil’s power and experience and were outplayed across 38-35 in attacks, 12-4 in blocks, and both teams with 4 aces.

Logan Eggleston was the top scorer for the USA and the only player in double digits, with 13 points, including 1 block and 12 attacks from the net.

On Friday, June 6, in Ottawa, the Dominican Republic will face the Netherlands at 2:00 p.m. local time, while Canada will have a rest day. In Rio de Janeiro, the United States will take on Czechia at 6:00 p.m. local time.

VNL 2025: Cuba look to power through the pack

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June 5, 2025.- Simon leads, young stars mature, and momentum builds in Cuba’s 2025 campaign as they return for their third straight Volleyball Nations League season aiming to build on the progress of recent years. After back-to-back campaigns in 2023 and 2024, the team bring back familiar leaders and rising contributors, continuing to rely on physical strength and fast attacking play to push for a stronger finish in an expanded field.

At the heart of the squad is 37-year-old middle blocker Robertlandy Simon, who remains part of the national team setup after initially suggesting his international career was over in 2024. He is expected to join the group in the third week of the Preliminary Phase.

Alongside the top-calibre middle blocker, Cuba will count on outside hitters Miguel Angel Lopez, Marlon Yant and Osniel Melgarejo, who have shaped the team’s attack in recent seasons. Setter Christian Manuel Thondike Mejias provides continuity in distribution, while middle blockers Roamy Alonso and Javier Concepción bring speed and vertical threat at the net. Libero Yonder García anchors the backcourt and leads a defensive unit that has gained stability over the past two editions.

Robertlandy Simon of Cuba

Cuba begin the season ranked 12th in the FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Ranking. Their campaign opens in Rio de Janeiro from 11 to 15 June, where they will face Slovenia, Brazil, Ukraine and the United States. In Week 2 from 25 to 29 June in Belgrade, they are set to take on Germany, Serbia, Netherlands and Argentina. Then Week 3 will be held from 16 to 20 July in Gdansk, with matchups against Bulgaria, Poland, France and China.

Their development has been supported by the FIVB Volleyball Empowerment programme, which began with a six-month coaching support in 2023 valued at CHF 12,000. The support had a long-term impact, helping to strengthen the team’s technical preparation and giving the coaching staff the tools to build a more competitive unit on the international stage.

Now in their third VNL season, Cuba are no longer new to the demands of the competition. Their physical style, built around quick swings, strong blocking and high-tempo transition play, has made them a difficult team to face. Against more structured systems, Cuba’s unpredictability and athleticism continue to stand out.

A return to the Final Round remains within reach. With experienced leaders, improved depth and a style that can pose a threat to the top-ranked teams, Cuba’s purpose in 2025 is grounded in the progress they have already made. Their next step is to prove they can sustain it.

Cuba are scheduled to hold a training camp in Argentina ahead of the VNL, including friendly matches with the home side. The trip will form part of their preparations for a packed international season that also includes the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship later this year.

After rebuilding their presence on the international stage, Cuba now face a season that could define their trajectory in the next Olympic cycle. With Simon still in the fold and a more balanced lineup around him, their 2025 campaign is built to power through the pack.

Dominican Republic comes from behind to claim victory in VNL opener, Canada starts with a victory, and USA falls in debut

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June 4, 2025.- The Dominican Republic opened their 2025 Volleyball Nations League (VNL) campaign with an exciting five-set comeback victory over reigning world champions Serbia in Pool 1, at TD Place in Ottawa, Ontario. Host Canada also secured a five-set win over Bulgaria to start strong at home. Meanwhile, in Pool 2, the United States fell in their debut against Olympic champions Italy in Rio de Janeiro.

Dominicans complete reverse sweep against Serbia

The second match of the day in Ottawa delivered high drama as the Dominican Republic clawed back from a two-set deficit to defeat Serbia. The “Queens of the Caribbean” didn’t give up after dropping the first two sets, ultimately triumphing 3-2 (26-28, 19-25, 25-15, 25-20, 18-16), marking the first tiebreak victory of the VNL’s seventh edition.

Outside hitter Brayelin Martínez led the offense with 17 points (11 kills, five blocks, one ace), joined by her sister, middle blocker Jineiry Martínez, who added 16 (14 kills, two blocks). Opposite Gaila González also contributed 16 points (11 kills, four blocks, one ace) in the epic comeback.

Blocking proved to be the Dominicans’ strongest skill, outperforming Serbia 16-11. They also capitalized on Serbian errors, with a 34-22 advantage in opponent unforced mistakes. However, Serbia led in kills (61-58) and aces (10-5).

Brayelin Martinez DOM

Canada needs five sets to beat Bulgaria

The final match of opening day action also went to five sets, with host Canada outlasting Bulgaria 3-2 (25-18, 25-12, 23-25, 19-25, 15-4) in front of their home fans. It was Canada’s first win under new head coach Giovanni Guidetti.

The Canadians were dominant in attacks (67-49) and serves (9-4), while Bulgaria held a slight edge in blocking (10-9).

Star opposite Kiera Van Ryk led all scorers with 25 points (19 kills, four aces, two blocks). Outside hitter Hilary Johnson followed with 18 (16 kills, two aces), and middle blocker Emily Maglio chipped in 14 points (eight kills, five blocks, one ace).

Kiera Van Ryk CAN

USA fall to Italy in opener

Reigning VNL champions Italy imposed their strength early, winning the first two sets comfortably. The third set saw the USA take a commanding 21-14 lead, but Italy mounted a comeback to win the set 30-28 and seal a 3-0 (25-13, 25-13, 30-28) victory in Pool 2, played in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

New American head coach Erik Sullivan fielded a very young squad, with ten players making their VNL debut against the Olympic champions. Sarah Franklin and Logan Lednicky led the USA in scoring with nine points each.

On Thursday June 5, in Ottawa, Dominican Republic faces Bulgaria at  4:00 PM local time, and Canada goes against the Netherlands at 7:30 PM local time. In Rio de Janeiro, the U.S. will meet with host Brazil at 9:00 PM local time.

Sarah Franklin USA

Volleyball Thrives in Haiti: Regional Tournaments Unite Hundreds of Youth Despite National Challenges

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PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti, June 3, 2025.- The Haitian Volleyball Federation has been in full activity organizing successful tournaments, thanks to the tireless efforts and remarkable dedication by regional organizers.

In parts of the Northern Department, school tournaments began as early as December 2024. In 2025, hundreds of students continued to play volleyball, with championships held in Cap-Haïtien, Ouanaminthe, Hinche, Port-Margot, La Jeune, Mombin-Crochu, Pignon, and Saint-Marc.

A play sequence in the Port-au-Prince championship

Concurrently, the regular First Division tournaments were successfully held by the Ouanaminthe League, while the League in the West tournaments are currently in its final phase. These two major championships welcomed 20 clubs, with a total of approximately 300 athletes.

“I am proud that the Haitian Volleyball Federation has been able to stay the course and ensure that volleyball courts continue to be places of joy and performance for athletes during these challenging times. We recognize the many sacrifices made by both parents and athletes to keep volleyball alive across the country, bringing energy, unity, and hope to a population striving for stability.” said Jean Michel Frédéric François, President of the Haitian Volleyball Federation.

“Special thanks to all the regional leaders for their perseverance, all the institutions that championed us, and especially NORCECA for their continuous support. Seeing our youth smile, play, and push themselves beyond their limits, despite the circumstances, is the greatest triumph for Haitian sports,” concluded Mr. François.

Manatí to Host the 2025 NORCECA Women’s Final Four: High-Level Volleyball at the Juan Aubin Cruz Coliseum

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MANATÍ, Puerto Rico, June 3, 2025.- The Puerto Rican Volleyball Federation (FPV), led by President Dr. César Trabanco, has officially announced that the city of Manatí will host the prestigious 2025 NORCECA Women’s Final Four tournament, scheduled to take place from July 18 to 20 at the Juan Aubin Cruz Abreu Coliseum.

The event will bring together the national teams of Puerto Rico, Cuba, Mexico, and Costa Rica in an exciting round-robin format that promises high-level matchups. Additionally, this will be the first tournament to award ranking points toward qualification for the Volleyball Nations League (VNL), adding extra incentive to the competition and increasing its relevance on the international stage.

Coliseo Juan Aubin Cruz, Manati

Dr. César Trabanco, President of the Puerto Rican Volleyball Federation, expressed deep gratitude to the Mayor of Manatí, the Honorable José A. Sánchez, for his support to Puerto Rican volleyball and his commitment to the development of sports in the region.

“We greatly value the support of Mayor Sánchez and his team, who have opened the doors of the Juan Aubin Cruz Coliseum to host a top-tier event. Their backing is a clear demonstration of Manatí’s commitment to the growth of volleyball and the strengthening of our national teams,” said Trabanco.

He also emphasized the importance of the 2025 NORCECA Women’s Final Four for the Puerto Rican national team and the sport on the island:

“This tournament is a great opportunity for our players to showcase their talent and continue raising the level of volleyball in Puerto Rico. Facing strong opponents like Cuba, Mexico, and Costa Rica will allow us to compete at the highest level and demonstrate our team’s progress on the international stage. We look forward to an exciting event, with thrilling matches and passionate fans supporting our team as it aims to defend its title.”

As the reigning champion, Puerto Rico will look to maintain its dominance in the tournament and take full advantage of the home court to deliver an unforgettable experience for its fans.

Competition Schedule:

 Friday July 18

 6:00 pm    Cuba vs Mexico

 8:00 pm    Puerto Rico vs Costa Rica

Saturday July 19

 6:00 pm    Mexico vs Costa Rica

 8:00 pm    Puerto Rico vs Cuba

Sunday July 20

 5:00 pm    Cuba vs Costa Rica

 7:00 pm    Puerto Rico vs México

FIVB and FFVolley unite in Antibes to shape future of French volleyball

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June 2, 2025.- The French Volleyball Federation (FFVolley) hosted its General Assembly this week in Nice led by FFvolley President Eric Tanguy.

Joining the meeting was the FIVB delegation, led by the FIVB President Fabio Azevedo as well as the CEV President and FIVB 2nd Vice-President Roko Sikirić. This was part of an ongoing collaboration with national and continental leaders to advance the sport’s development in France and internationally while encouraging discussions within the Global Volleyball Movement.

During the meeting, FIVB President Fabio Azevedo presented key elements of the FIVB Strategic Vision 2032 – an ambitious yet realistic roadmap designed to elevate volleyball’s global impact over the next eight years. The strategy, guided by the motto “Together as One”, outlines the FIVB’s key strategic priorities, which include increased investment in grassroots development, digital innovation, enhanced athlete support and further cooperation with partners and stakeholders around the world.

The meeting highlighted the highly successful Olympic Games Paris 2024, held last summer, where both indoor and beach volleyball captivated global audiences. The French men’s volleyball team successfully defended their Olympic title in front of an enthusiastic home crowd, while beach volleyball was showcased in the iconic Eiffel Tower Stadium widely celebrated as “the greatest stadium on earth”.

“Paris was a fantastic celebration of our sport and showed us what volleyball is capable of – both in terms of sporting excellence and its power to bring people together,” said Azevedo. “At its core, volleyball embodies key values: collaboration, integration, peace and solidarity, and we saw so much of that in Paris. It’s brilliant to see that this spirit has been sustained, and that FFvolley are continually implementing new initiatives to grow our sport.”

The General Assembly addressed a comprehensive agenda of governance topics, including financial and technical reporting, regulatory updates and activity reports from the National Technical Directorate and Supervisory Board. FFVolley President presented his annual report that was fully endorsed by the Assembly.

The FIVB’s visit reaffirmed its close working relationship with FFVolley, the European Volleyball Confederation (CEV), and other key stakeholders who were also present at the assembly.

“As we look to the future, unity and collaboration at every level of the game are vital as we continue building our sport around four central pillars: professionalism, integration, empowerment and mass participation,” Azevedo concluded. “We move forward together, ‘Together as One’, guided by a shared vision and a collective commitment to growing our sport.”

Puerto Rico Unveils Senior Women’s Volleyball Pre-National Team

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SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, May 31, 2025. – In an event held at Cayo Caribe, The Outlets at Montehiedra, the Puerto Rico Senior Women’s National Volleyball Pre-Selection was officially presented under the leadership of Head Coach Juan C. Núñez and his staff, including assistant coach José Mieles.

A group of athletes, made up of a mix of young talent and experienced veterans from the national program, is preparing for training sessions ahead of this summer’s international commitments.

“I’m excited and happy to be in charge of this talented group of players. It’s an excellent blend of youth and experience, with athletes returning to the program and others who will have their first opportunity to compete at this level,” said Núñez.

The preliminary group consists of approximately 19 to 22 players. As training progresses, the coaching staff will face the difficult task of making cuts to determine the final roster that will represent Puerto Rico in the upcoming summer qualification tournament.

The libero position, in particular, has multiple strong candidates, which will intensify internal competition. “For official tournaments, we must have a 14-player roster, which means eventually five or six players will be cut,” Núñez explained.

Training will begin this coming Monday at the University of Puerto Rico, with sessions open to the press. “We want everyone to be able to see the team’s preparation process. We’ll be training at 5:30 p.m. initially on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Then, we’ll add a fourth day and adjust the schedule as the weeks progress,” the coach stated.

With this preparation phase underway, the Puerto Rico Senior Women’s National Team aims to solidify its roster and strengthen its play in anticipation of the important challenges it will face in the coming months.

Senior Women’s National Team Summer Events:

–          NORCECA Women’s Final Four – Host: Puerto Rico, July 16–21

–          XII Pan American Cup Women – Host: Mexico, August 1–11

–          FIVB Women’s World Championship – Host: Bangkok, Thailand, August 22–September 7

–          NORCECA Women’s Final Six – Host: Mexico, September 22–29

Senior Women’s National Pre-Selection Roster:

Setters

Wilmarie Rivera

Jennifer Nogueras

Outside Hitters

Alondra Vázquez

Paola Santiago

Karla Santos

Valeria Vázquez

Paulina Pérez

Opposites

Decelise Champion

Dariana Hollingsworth

Sofía M. Victoriá

Middle Blockers

Neira Ortiz

Diana Reyes

Alba Hernández

Adriana Rodríguez

Liberos

Shara Venegas

Valeria León

Paula Cerame

Okiana Valle

Yelemid Correa

Technical Staff

Juan Carlos Núñez – Head Coach

José Mieles – Assistant Coach

Sheila Alicea – Statistician

Roberto Rivera – Strength & Conditioning Coach

José Rafael Servera – General Manager

Dr. María Magraner – Sports Psychologist

Michael Rivera – Equipment Manager

Puerto Rico Presents 2025 Men’s Senior National Volleyball Preliminary Roster

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NARANJITO, Puerto Rico, May 30, 2025.- The Puerto Rican Volleyball Federation held the official presentation of the 2025 Men’s Senior National Volleyball Preliminary Roster, which will train to represent Puerto Rico in upcoming NORCECA and FIVB tournaments.

Head coach of the senior national team, Jamille Torres, inspired the players with a motivational message:

“I want to be a facilitator and help you achieve everything you set out to do because just like you have goals, I have mine too. I’d like to win the Olympics, but we must go step by step. Let’s think big, beyond the Central American Games. This is a once-in-a-lifetime moment, and I want you to make the most of it. I was once in your shoes, and one day you could be in mine. I’ll always be available to help you with anything you need.”

Meanwhile, the president of the Puerto Rican Volleyball Federation, Dr. César Trabanco, emphasized the importance of the competitive path ahead for the team:

“Puerto Rico has the talent to position itself among volleyball’s elite. The Volleyball Nations League and the World Championship are key opportunities for international exposure and growth. Every tournament adds vital ranking points and helps with Olympic qualification. With effort, discipline, and commitment, we can compete with and beat top teams. This team has everything needed to make its mark.”

The men’s senior team will face a demanding schedule, with high-level tournaments paving the way toward the international elite:

– NORCECA Men Final Four – México, July 23-28

– XVIII Pan-American Cup – México, August 24 -September 1

– NORCECA Final Six – Puerto Rico, October 4 -13

The coaching staff and players are committed to preparation and teamwork, with a shared goal of proudly and excellently representing Puerto Rico in these events.

Men’s Preliminary Roster by Position

Outside Hitters:
Omar Hoyos
Pedro Molina
Pele Vargas Jr.
Kevin López
Diego Rosich
Axel Meléndez
Lorenzo Rivera
Antonio Feliciano

Opposites:
Klistan Lawrence
Jamal Ellis
Gregory Torres
Sebastián Negrón

Middle Blockers:
Jonathan Rodríguez
Antonio Elías
Ismael Alomar
Janluar Figueroa
Ramón Rosado
Iván Fernández
Eliel Salva

Setters:
Kevin Rodríguez
Howard García
Daniel Henwood
Diego Estrada

Liberos:
Arnel Cabrera
Dennis Del Valle
Luis Bertrán
Noah Meléndez

Coaching Staff:

Jamille Torres – Head Coach
Ramon Lawrence – Assistant Coach
Felix Román – Statistician

VNL 2025: Canada men bring journey full circle

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May 28 2025.- A Canadian at the helm, a home opener and their rise mark a defining chapter for the men’s team at the 2025 Volleyball Nations League.

The 2025 Volleyball Nations League arrives at a defining moment for the Canadian men’s national team. With three Olympic appearances in the past decade and a breakthrough VNL Final Round finish in 2024, the team has turned sustained development into results. Now, with a Canadian coach on the bench and the season opening on home soil, the journey not only comes full circle — it finally hits home.

Dan Lewis, a former national team player and long-time assistant, was appointed head coach in January. His promotion reflects the federation’s focus on continuity and leadership from within. After competing for Canada as a player at the highest level and contributing from the sidelines in recent years, Lewis now leads a group he knows well into the next stage of its evolution.

The coaching shift builds on a foundation strengthened by the FIVB Volleyball Empowerment programme. Since 2020, Canada have received CHF 1.55 million in support across both volleyball and beach volleyball, through application-based and targeted projects. That backing has supported long-term coaching and technical development for the national team programmes, contributing to the progress of the men’s squad at the highest level.

The 2025 squad features players from last year’s campaigns at the Paris Olympics and the Volleyball Nations League, alongside younger talent rising through the national pathway. Under Lewis, the team will continue to rely on its physical presence, structured systems and strong team identity that shaped their breakthrough performance in 2024.

Canada’s 2025 squad is led by some of their most prominent returnees from their Paris 2024 roster, including Luke Herr, Fynn McCarthy and Nick Hoag. Their contribution and experience at the international level remain central to Canada’s goals this season.

Canada host Week 1 of the VNL from 11 to 15 June at Centre Vidéotron in Quebec, where they face Germany, Argentina, France and Bulgaria. In Week 2, Canada travel to Chicago for matchups against Brazil, United States, Poland and China from 25 to 29 June. The final week of the preliminaries takes place in Ljubljana from 16 to 20 July, where they meet hosts Slovenia, Netherlands, Serbia and Ukraine.

Canada have appeared in every edition of the VNL since its launch in 2018. After years of consistent presence, their qualification to the Final Round in 2024 confirmed their arrival among men’s volleyball’s top-tier contenders. That upward trend now continues with a renewed leadership structure and home-court spotlight.

The 2025 season will also serve as a key step in preparation for the FIVB Men’s World Championship later this year.

Stars in the making to shine at July’s Girls U19 World Champs

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May 27, 2025.- The extended rosters of the 24 teams that will participate in the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Girls’ U19 World Championship have now been released and the eager volleyball fans can already find out which rising stars of world volleyball are getting ready to hit the courts in Osijek, Croatia and Vrnjacka Banja, Serbia from July 2 to 13.

FIVB Volleyball Girls’ U19 World Championship: team rosters (subject to eligibility check to be conducted by the FIVB)

While at this young age, the volleyball stars of the future are still building up their fame, there are still plenty of names on the rosters that would ring a volleyball fan’s bell.

Defending U19 world champions United States, for example, will be captained by Genevieve Harris (pictured in the main photo), the Best Setter of last year’s NORCECA U19 Women’s Volleyball Continental Championship.

China’s squad is highlighted by Yang Shuming , who was selected Most Valuable Player (MVP) and Best Opposite of the 2024 FIVB Volleyball Girls’ U17 World Championship as well as MVP of the 2024 AVC U18 Women’s Volleyball Asian Championship, Chen Xiaohui, who was one of the U17 Dream Team middle blockers, and another three of the players, who snatched the inaugural U17 world title last year – Guo Zhongnan, Huang Yuexin and Wang Yibo. The two continental U18 Dream Teamers – outside Zhai Yurui and middle Wang Aoqian – are also on China’s roster.

Reigning 2024 U18 European champions Bulgaria have 13 of the 14 players who conquered the continental title last year on the roster for the upcoming U19 World Championship, headlined by EuroVolley U18 MVP and Best Setter Dimana Ivanova and other Dream Teamers like outside Kalina Veneva and middle Darina Naneva.

The MVP of the 2024 CSV U19 Girls’ Volleyball South American Championship, Mikaela Hestmann, is one of the outside hitters on the list of Brazilian players for Croatia-Serbia 2025, accompanied by setter and captain Luana Vazquez and middle Lara Rodrigues, also among the individual awardees at last year’s continental event.

A number of other continental Dream Teamers are featured on the rosters of Argentina (Paula Tomasa and Julia Allub), Belgium (Liese Verhelst and Jasmine Debout), Chile (Martina Allende), Chinese Taipei (Chen Pin-Yu), Dominican Republic (Julie Arias and Caroline Rodriguez), Italy (Ludovica Tosini and Veronica Quero), Japan (Tanyama Tsubaki and Chugangi Rion), Mexico (Caroline Rodriguez), Peru (Fatima Villafuerte) and Thailand (Sasitorn Jatta).

The German team will be captained by outside hitter Leana Grozer and it is no accident that that last name also rings a loud bell. Her legendary father Gyorgy Grozer is still an active and successful volleyballer at the age of 40. For sure, there are a few other “famous” daughters who will defend the honors of their family names, like Simona Ivanova, the daughter of Bulgarian legend Evgeni Ivanov, or Arianna Bovolenta, the daughter of Italian legend Vigor Bovolenta, to name a couple…

FIVB Volleyball Boys’ U19 World Championship match schedule announced

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May 27, 2025.- Defending 2023 U19 world champions and reigning 2024 U18 European champions France will play in one of the three opening games of the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Boys’ U19 World Championship set to take place from July 24 to August 3 in Uzbekistan’s capital Tashkent.

The full match schedule for the pool stage of the competition has now been released, creating a sense of excitement and anticipation about how the on-court battles, involving the rising stars of world volleyball, will unfold on the way to crowning the new U19 boys’ world champions.

FIVB Volleyball Boys’ U19 World Championship: match schedule

France will take on Canada in a Pool B game at 11:00 local time (06:00 UTC) on one of the three competition courts in Tashkent. At the same time, on the other two courts, Belgium will meet Pakistan in a Pool A fixture and Iran will face Spain in Pool C.

In a remake of the 2024 Boys’ U18 African Nations Volleyball Championship, Egypt and Tunisia will open their Pool C campaigns at 14:00 (09:00). Meanwhile, U19 South American champions Argentina will take on Puerto Rico in Pool A.

An all-European clash between Italy and Poland, silver and bronze medalists of the 2024 CEV U18 Men’s Volleyball European Championship, in Pool C, and an all-Asian duel between Japan and last year’s U18 continental champions China in Pool B will highlight the third set of three matches, serving off at 17:00 (12:00) on the first competition day. Tournament hosts Uzbekistan will also start off their campaign at that time with a Pool A fixture against Türkiye.

The entire first leg of Pool D matches will get underway at the same time, 20:00 (15:00), with 2024 U19 NORCECA champions USA entering the competition with a game against Finland.

These four time slots will apply to all five competition days of the first phase of the tournament, from July 24 through July 29, with a rest day on July 27.

The top four teams in the final standings of each six-team pool will continue their quest for world honors in the elimination rounds leading up to the medal matches on August 3. The rest will continue their participation in the playoffs for the distribution of the places from 17th to 24th. All 24 teams will go through the respective number of playoff rounds (direct up-or-down matches) to fill all the places from first to 24th in the final competition standings.

Americans Donley/Sherman Claim Gold at NORCECA U23 Tour in Juan Dolio

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SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, May 25, 2025 – The American duo of Emma Donley and Portia Sherman were crowned champions of the NORCECA U23 Beach Volleyball Tour after a commanding 2-0 (21-14, 21-12) victory over Canada’s Sophie Hancock and Emma Cudmore in the final, held at the sand courts of beautiful Juan Dolio beach.

Donley/Sherman advanced to the gold medal match by defeating Nicaragua’s Nahima Silva and Norma Brenes with a dominant 2-0 (21-12, 21-12) win in the semifinals. Meanwhile, Hancock/Cudmore reached the final by taking down the Dominican team of Crismil Paniagua and Yari Cleto, also in straight sets (21-17, 21-16).

The podium was completed by Dominicans Paniagua and Cleto, who claimed the bronze medal after beating Silva/Brenes with scores of 21-15 and 21-18.

In the battle for fifth place, Guatemala’s Danna Aguilar and Naomi Monney edged Honduras’ Shanna Rivera and Reizel Bruhier in a three-set thriller (21-19, 21-13, 16-14).

Seventh place went to Costa Rica’s Aliza Aguilar and Sofía Vega, who secured a 2-0 (21-9, 21-19) win over Joanna Robinson and Luna Ebanks from the Cayman Islands.

El Salvador’s Ashley Rauda and Keiry Guzmán took ninth place by defeating the Virgin Islands’ Kirra Lambert and Sophia Peifer, 2-0 (21-13, 21-18).

Dominicans Zoe Paniagua and Steyce Turbi finished in eleventh place after a 2-0 (21-14, 21-13) win over Trinidad and Tobago’s Kristiana Richards and Adalia Badroe. Meanwhile, Canada’s Claire Neagle and Nolyn Houben placed thirteenth.

Araya/Varela from Costa Rica Crowned Champions of the First Stage of the NORCECA U23 Tour

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SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, May 25, 2025.– Julián Araya and Jhostin Varela of Costa Rica were crowned champions of the first stage of the NORCECA U23 Tour, held on the spectacular beach of Juan Dolio, Dominican Republic. They clinched the title in a thrilling three-set match 2-1 (19-21, 21-18, 15-12) against Americans Gage Basey and Thomas Hurst.

Araya and Varela reached the gold medal match after defeating Nicaragua’s Josué Meneses and Jesy Umaña in the semifinals in straight sets (21-15, 21-18). On the other side, Hasey and Hurst advanced to the final after beating Dominican duo Ramón De Jesús and Rolvin Maldonado 2-0 (21-12, 21-16).

Third place went to Meneses and Umaña, who claimed the bronze medal by defeating De Jesús and Maldonado 2-0 (21-19, 21-14).

Fifth place was secured by Canadians Connor Dorsey and Aiden Hilkowitz, who beat El Salvador’s Gabriel Vargas and Carlos Mejía 2-0 (21-8, 27-25).

In the battle for seventh place, fellow Canadians Aidan Labossiere and Mason Doering earned a solid 2-0 victory (21-18, 21-12) over Stephen Watson and Dylan Lynee of the Cayman Islands. Ninth place went to Hondurans Jairo Gálvez and Isaac Méndez, who came from behind to defeat Barbados’ Julián Bristol and Jedediah Pencheon in three sets, 2-1 (13-21, 21-19, 17-15).

Daniel Delgado and José Guevara of Guatemala finished in eleventh place after a straight-set win over Trinidad and Tobago’s Jerome Morrison and Jahreef Miguel, 2-0 (21-16, 21-16).

Thirteenth place was claimed by Suriname’s Jamal Atman and Guy Lieveld, who defeated Kymani Greenidge and Cole Sommer of the Virgin Islands 2-0 (21-16, 21-19). Finally, Jared Brown and Kanif Wathey of the U.S. Virgin Islands finished in fifteenth place.

Dominican Republic, Canada, USA, and Nicaragua in Women’s Semifinals at NORCECA U23 Tour

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SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, May 24, 2025.-  The Dominican duo of Crismil Paniagua and Yari Cleto, Canada’s Sophie Hancock and Emma Cudmore, USA’s Emma Donley and Portia Sherman, and Nicaragua’s Nahima Silva and Norma Brenes have all advanced to the women’s semifinals of the 2025 NORCECA U23  Beach Volleyball Tour, taking place on the beautiful shores of Juan Dolio.

The host team, Paniagua and Cleto, will face Hancock and Cudmore from Canada in the first semifinal. In the other matchup, Donley and Sherman of the United States will go head-to-head with Nicaragua’s Silva and Brenes.

Portia Sherman of United States

In the quarterfinals, Paniagua and Cleto cruised past Guatemala’s Danna Aguilar and Naomi Monney in straight sets, 21-8, 21-14. Hancock and Cudmore followed with a dominant 2-0 win (21-12, 21-10) over Aliza Aguilar and Sofía Vega of Costa Rica. Donley and Sherman overpowered Honduras’ Shanna Rivera and Reizel Bruhier 21-15, 21-9, while Silva and Brenes took a convincing 2-0 (21-8, 21-10) victory over Joanna Robinson and Luna Banks of the Cayman Islands.

Earlier in the competition, all four semifinalist teams topped their respective groups in pool play.

In the classification matches for 9th to 12th place, El Salvador’s Ashley Rauda and Keiry Guzmán defeated Kristiana Richards and Adalia Badroe of Trinidad & Tobago 2-0 (21-10, 21-13), while the U.S. Virgin Islands’ Kirra Lambert and Sophia Peifer beat Dominicans Zoe Paniagua and Steyce Turbi 2-0 (21-16, 21-13).

For 13th to 16th place classification, Canada’s Claire Neagle and Nolyn Houben advanced by a bye.

Semifinals and placement matches will take place on Sunday morning, with the bronze and gold medal matches scheduled for the afternoon.

Other results:

Hancock/Cudmore (CAN) d Richards/Badroe (TTO) 2-0 (21-16, 21-3); Silva/Brenes (NCA) d Aguilar/Vega (CRC) 2-0 (21-18, 21-5); Donley/Sherman (USA) d Aguilar/Monney 2-0 821-14, 21-12); Paniagua/Cleto (DOM) d Rauda/Guzmán (ESA) 2-0 (21-7, 21-9); Rivera/Bruhier (HON) d Neagle/Houben (CAN) 2-0 (21-13, 21-6).

Dominican Republic, USA, Costa Rica, and Nicaragua Secure Spots in Men’s Semifinals at NORCECA U23 Tour in Juan Dolio

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SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, May 24, 2025.- The men’s teams of Ramón De Jesús/Rolvin Maldonado of Dominican Republic, USA’s Gage Basey/Thomas Hurst, Julián Araya/Jhostin Varela of Costa Rica and Josué Meneses/Jesy Umaña of Nicaragua secured their spots in the semifinals of the NORCECA U23 Beach Volleyball Tour, currently taking place on the sand courts set up along the beach in Juan Dolio.

In Sunday’s semifinals, De Jesús and Maldonado (DOM) will face Basey and Hurst (USA), while Meneses and Umaña (NCA) will meet Araya and Varela (CRC).

Thomas Hurst of United States

In the quarterfinals, the Dominican duo De Jesús/Maldonado won a thrilling match against Canada’s Aidan Labossiere and Mason Doering in three sets, 2-1 (21-18, 18-21, 15-12). Meanwhile, Americans Basey and Hurst claimed a convincing 2-0 victory (21-12, 21-14) over Canadians Connor Dorsey and Aiden Hilkowitz. Costa Rica’s Araya and Varela were dominant over  Stephen Watson and Dylan Lynee of the Cayman Islands 2-0 (21-8, 21-10), while Nicaragua’s Meneses and Umaña earned a solid 2-0 win (21-17, 21-14) over El Salvador’s Gabriel Vargas and Carlos Mejía.

Just like in the women’s competition, the four men’s semifinalist duos also topped their respective pools in the preliminary round.

In classification matches for 9th to 12th place, Honduras’ Jairo Gálvez and Isaac Méndez defeated Daniel Delgado and José Guevara of Guatemala 2-0 (21-11, 21-12).

In the battle for 13th to 16th place, Suriname’s Jamal Atman and Guy Lieveld advanced via bye, while Kymani Greenidge and Cole Sommer of the U.S. Virgin Islands defeated compatriots Jared Brown and Kanif Wathey 2-0 (21-15, 21-12).

The semifinals and placement matches will be played Sunday morning, followed by the bronze and gold medal matches in the afternoon.

Other results:

De Jesús/Maldonado (DOM) d Delgado/Guevara (GUA) 2-0 (21-10, 21-11); Araya/Varela (CRC) d Julián Bristol/Jedediah Pencheon (SKN) 2-0 )21-11, 21-8); Labossiere/Doering (CAN) d Brown/Wathey (ISV) 2-0 (21-5, 21-7); Meneses/Umaña (NCA) d Dorsey/Hilkowitz (CAN) 2-1 (11-21, 21-13, 15-11); Jerome Morrison/Jahreef Miguel (TTO) d Greenidge/Sommer (ISV) 2-0 (21-16, 21-6); Basey Hurst (USA) d Vargas/Mejía (ESA) 2-0 (21-19, 22-20); Gálvez/Méndez (HON) d Atman/Lieveld (SUR) 2-0 (21-8, 21-5).

VNL 2025: Canada embark on new mission with Empowerment and experience

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May 23, 2025.- Empowered on the court and guided by veteran coach Giovanni Guidetti, Canada target a breakthrough season. Canada’s women’s volleyball team will open their 2025 Volleyball Nations League campaign on home soil in Ottawa, but the journey that brought them here was shaped long before the opening whistle.

After years of building stability and gaining ground internationally, Canada’s women enter VNL 2025 with experienced players, a new head coach, and a sharper sense of what it takes to close the gap on the world’s top teams.

A key driver of Canada’s rise has been sustained support through FIVB Volleyball Empowerment. Since 2020, Canada has received CHF 1.55 million in support for its programmes. That support helped in hiring a top-tier coach, the expansion of performance and medical staff, and the creation of a professional structure to strengthen athlete development and national team operations.

Brie King & Kiera Van Ryk

Canada entered the VNL in 2021 and have qualified every year since. In 2023 and 2024, they posted their best results to date, finishing 10th overall and narrowly missing out on the Final Round. Later in 2023, they came close to securing an Olympic berth, finishing third in the qualification tournament in Ningbo – their strongest bid since Atlanta 1996. These performances reflected years of growth that helped establish their rise in women’s volleyball.

The foundation for that run was laid by Shannon Winzer, who coached the team from 2020 through the Olympic qualification cycle. She now serves as Volleyball Canada’s High Performance Director, helping guide the national programme’s long-term development.

Taking her place on the bench is Giovanni Guidetti, one of the most accomplished coaches in the sport, with four Olympic campaigns on his résumé. Appointed in January, the Italian brings a track record of elevating national teams and leading top clubs to international titles. His arrival marks the start of a new mission for Canada – adding a new layer of technical leadership and competitive insight to a team that has grown steadily in recent seasons.

Canada’s core also returns. Kiera Van Ryk leads the offence with power and consistency on the right side. Brie King continues to set the rhythm with confidence and control. Their experience, combined with Guidetti’s leadership, gives Canada a solid base in a season where margins will be tight.

Canada will play their opening four matches in Ottawa from 4 to 8 June, facing Bulgaria, Netherlands, Japan and Serbia. From 18 to 22 June, they move to Istanbul to meet Korea, Türkiye, Brazil and Belgium. The final week of pool play takes place in Arlington, Texas, with matches against Germany, China, United States and Thailand from 9 to 13 July. The Final Round will be in Lodz, Poland, from 23 to 27 July.

The team will also compete at the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship, set to be held in Thailand later this year.

VNL 2025 comes at a time when Canada’s foundations are in place. Empowerment support has shaped the programme, experience anchors the core, and Guidetti brings a new perspective to the bench. The mission now is to keep moving forward.

Six Women’s Teams Undefeated on Opening Day of U23 Tour

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SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, May 23, 2025.- Six women’s pairs finished undefeated on the opening day of the NORCECA U23 Beach Volleyball Tour, which kicked off Friday at the beautiful Juan Dolio Beach in the Dominican Republic.

In Pool A, the Canadian duo of Sophie Hancock and Emma Cudmore earned a win over Joanna Robinson and Luna Ebanks of Cayman Islands 2-0 (21-10, 21-11), while their second match was a bye.

Costa Rica’s Aliza Aguilar and Sofia Vega, along with Nicaragua’s Nahima Silva and Norma Brenes, ended the day undefeated in Pool B. Both teams defeated Kirra Lambert and Sofia Peifer from the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Aguilar and Vega dominated Lambert/Peifer 2-0 (21-10, 21-5), while Silva and Brenes also secured a straight-sets victory (21-11, 21-12).

In Pool C, the U.S. pair of Emma Donley and Portia Sherman defeated Dominican duo Zoe Paniagua and Steyce Turbi 2-0 (21-6, 21-8). Guatemala’s Danna Aguilar and Naomi Monney also triumphed over Paniagua/Turbi, winning 2-0 (21-5, 21-4).

Dominicans Crismil Paniagua and Yari Cleto, in Pool D, beat Honduras’ Shanna Rivera and Reizel Bruhier 2-0 (21-14, 25-23). Canada’s Claire Neagle and Nolyn Houben also defeated the Honduran team 2-0 (21-17, 21-9).

Other results:

Joanna Robinson/Luna Ebanks (CAY) d TTO Kristiana Richards/Adalia Badroe 2-1 (21-9, 22-24, 15-8), Ashley Rauda/Keiry Guzmán (ESA) d Claier Neagle/Nolyn Houben 2-0 (21-14, 21-9), and Shanna Rivera/Reizel Bruhier (HON) d Rauda/Guzmán (ESA) 2-1 (21-6, 19-21, 15-10).

Men’s Competition Kicks Off Fiercely at U23 Tour in Juan Dolio

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SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, May 23, 2025.- The teams from Costa Rica, Canada, Nicaragua, the United States, and El Salvador had a strong start at the NORCECA U23 Beach Volleyball Tour in Juan Dolio, each closing the opening day of the men’s competition with two wins in as many matches.

In Pool B, Costa Rica’s duo of Julián Araya and Jhostin Varela delivered commanding performances in their two outings. They first defeated Canada’s Aidan Labossiere and Mason Doering 2-0 (21-10, 21-13), then followed up with a convincing 2-0 victory (21-5, 21-9) over Jared Brown and Kanif Wathey of the U.S. Virgin Islands.

In Pool C, Canadians Connor Dorsey and Aiden Hilkowitz claimed two straight-set victories; 2-0 (21-7, 21-10) against Kymani Greenidge and Cole Sommer of the U.S. Virgin Islands, and 2-0 (21-18, 21-14) over Trinidad and Tobago’s Jerome Morrison and Jahreef Miguel.

Nicaragua’s team, Josué Meneses and Jesy Umaña, also enjoyed a strong start in the same pool. They defeated Morrison/Miguel (TTO) 2-0 (21-12, 21-11) and then Greenidge/Sommer (ISV) 2-0 (21-10, 21-6).

In Pool D, Gage Basey and Thomas Hurst of the United States dominated their two matches, first against Honduras’ Jairo Gálvez and Isaac Méndez (2-0, 21-10, 21-7), and then against Suriname’s Atman and Guy Lieveld (2-0, 21-8, 21-12).

Likewise, El Salvador’s Gabriel Vargas and Carlos Mejía had a successful debut, defeating Gálvez/Méndez (HON) 2-0 (21-13, 21-13) and then overcoming Suriname’s Atman/Lieveld 2-0 (21-18, 21-8).

In Pool A, the Dominican duo of Ramón De Jesús and Rolvin Maldonado secured a victory over Cayman Islands’ Stephen Watson and Dylan Lynee with a score of 2-0 (21-10, 21-17).

Other results:

Stephen Watson/Dylan Lynee (CAY) d Daniel Delgado/José Guevara (GUA) 2-1 (18-21, 21-13, 15-9), Julián Bristo/Jedediah Pencheon (SKN) d Jared Brown/Kanif Wathey (ISV) 2-0 (21-10, 21-11), Aidan Labossiere/Mason Doering (CAN) d Bristol/Pencheon (SKN) 2-0 (22-20, 21-16).

28 Teams to Battle at NORCECA U23 Beach Volleyball Tour Opener

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SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, May 22, 2025.- The opening event of the 2025 NORCECA U23 Beach Volleyball Tour will feature 28 teams from 13 countries. The competition will take place from May 23 to 25 on the beautiful sand courts of Juan Dolio Beach, Dominican Republic.

The NORCECA U23 Tour is a great opportunity to watch the beach volleyball rising stars in action and enjoy a tournament full of talent and energy. It also serves as preparation for the 2025 Junior Pan American Games in Asunción.

Fifteen men’s teams and thirteen women’s teams registered during Thursday’s preliminary inspections, all aiming to advance from the group stage, which begins this Friday at 8:00 a.m. local time.

Team of United States

A total of 24 matches are scheduled for Friday, 14 in the men’s division and 10 in the women’s. The preliminary round will conclude Saturday morning, followed by the quarterfinals and the losers’ bracket in the afternoon. Semifinals and medal matches will be played on Sunday, along with classification matches.

Men’s Teams: DOM Ramón De Jesús/Rolvin Maldonad; CRC Julián Araya/Jhostin Varela; USA Gage Basey/Thomas Hurst; NCA Josue Meneses/Jesy Umaña; SKN Julián Bristol/Jedediah Pencheon; CAY Stephen Watson/Dylan Lynee; ISV Jared Brown/Kanif Wathey, Kymani Greenidge/Cole Sommer; TTO Jerome Morrison/Jahreef Miguel; HON Jairo Galvez/Isaac Villalobos; SUR Joshua Dwarkasing/Dean Kasdi; ESA Gabriel Vargas/Carlos Mejía; GUA Daniel Delgado/José Guevara; CAN Connor Dorsey/Aiden Holkowitz, Aidan Labossiere/Mason Doering.

Women’s Teams: CRC Aliza Aguilar/Sofía Vega; USA Emma Donley/Portia Sherman; DOM Crismil Paniagua/Yari Cleto, Zoe Paniagua/Steyce Turbi ; ESA Ashley Rauda/Keiry Guzmán; NCA Nahima Silva/Norma Brenes; TTO Kristianna Richards/Adalia Badroe; CAY Joanna Robinson/Luna Ebanks; ISV Kirra Lambert/Sophia Peifer; HON Shanna Rivera/Reizel Bruhier; GUA Danna Aguilar/Naomi Monney; CAN Sophie Hancock/Emma-Joy Cudmore, Claire Neagle/Nolyn Houben.

Development Center in the Dominican Republic Announces New International Coaching Courses

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SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, May 22, 2025.- The NORCECA-FIVB Regional Volleyball Development Center in the Dominican Republic (CRDV), in coordination with the NORCECA Confederation and the FIVB, has opened registration for two important international coaching courses “in Spanish”, scheduled to take place in July and September 2025.

The first course, the International Beach Volleyball Coaches Course Level 1, will be held from July 21 to 25, 2025. It is designed for coaches seeking to specialize in the beach volleyball discipline, following the technical standards of the FIVB.

Next, the International Volleyball Coaches Course Level 2 will be conducted from September 17 to 21, 2025. This course focuses on indoor volleyball and is aimed at coaches with prior experience who wish to deepen their knowledge and advance their professional development.

Both courses will be led by FIVB-certified instructors and will take place at the CRDV facilities in Santo Domingo.

Interested participants can obtain more information and register via email at centrofivb_rdom@yahoo.es or through WhatsApp at +1 (809) 563-5642.

These programs are part of CRDV, NORCECA, and FIVB’s ongoing commitment to strengthening technical training in the region and raising the overall level of volleyball.

Pablo Guzmán, 2024 Finals MVP, Joins the Patriotas de Lares

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SAN SEBASTIÁN, Puerto Rico, July 21, 2025.- The transfer of Pablo Guzmán to the Patriotas de Lares marks a new chapter in the journey of the two-time champions, Caribes de San Sebastián, in the Puerto Rican Men’s Superior Volleyball League (LVSM).

The transfer was confirmed by David Chaparro Pérez, Co-Owner and General Manager of the Caribes, who emphasized the franchise’s commitment to the well-being of its players. “Our organization has stood out as one that provides opportunities to players. If we don’t reach an agreement for a season, we want every athlete to have the freedom to choose where to continue their path,” he explained.

The veteran player, MVP of the most recent finals series, was transferred to the Patriotas de Lares in exchange for financial compensation.

Pablo Guzman

Chaparro Pérez also underscored that the Caribes’ philosophy is clear: to respect players’ wishes and contribute to the development of the League. “We always aim for the best development of the League. We’re not here to hold back any player, but to strengthen the competitiveness and spectacle of Puerto Rican volleyball,” he stated.

“Pablo,” Chaparro continued, “expressed interest in relocating to a team of his preference. After discussing his options and respecting his decision, the transfer was granted. It’s important to highlight that this move was made directly at his request. As in any environment, agreements aren’t always reached on every point, but that’s part of the natural dynamic even within the best of families, though it was hard to say goodbye.”

The transfer has sparked varied reactions among fans, ranging from nostalgia over the veteran’s departure to excitement about the arrival of new talent. Chaparro Pérez confirmed that the move is part of a long-term strategic plan. “This change is part of a three-year restructuring process, during which we’ll incorporate new blood and gradually adjust the roster to maintain the team’s high level.”

Thus, Guzmán’s departure is part of a forward-looking vision aimed at ensuring the Caribes continue setting the standard in top-level volleyball, with the goal of strengthening the League and delivering the best possible show to the fans.

The regular season is set to begin on June 6, with the Gigantes de Adjuntas visiting the Caribes de San Sebastián, and the Changos de Naranjito facing the Gigantes de Carolina.

The 2025 LVSM will feature eight competing teams: Caribes de San Sebastián (two-time champions), Mets de Guaynabo, Plataneros de Corozal, Patriotas de Lares, Changos de Naranjito, Gigantes de Carolina, Gigantes de Adjuntas, and Cafeteros de Yauco.

VNL 2025: Dominican Republic aim for next-level finish

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May 21, 2025.- With veteran leadership and continued Empowerment support, the Dominican Republic squad aim to turn years of top-level consistency into their first Final Round appearance in the Volleyball Nations League.

Dominican Republic have long been one of the most consistent forces in women’s volleyball, and since the launch of the VNL, they’ve remained a steady presence among the world’s top contenders. In 2025, they return with a veteran lineup, strong leadership and one goal still just out of reach.

Head coach Marcos Kwiek

The build-up of their high-performance system has been supported by the FIVB Volleyball Empowerment programme, with over CHF 940,000 in support since 2021. This has strengthened the foundation of the national team, providing long-term coaching stability, technical development, and the ability to remain internationally competitive across multiple Olympic cycles.

Head coach Marcos Kwiek remains at the helm in 2025, leading a squad that has dominated their continent in recent years. Dominican Republic won the NORCECA Final Six in both 2022 and 2024, claimed gold at the 2023 Pan American Games, and were crowned continental champions again in 2023. These results have underlined their dominance in continental play and reinforced their readiness to compete for bigger feats on the international stage.

Dominican Republic have been part of every VNL edition since the tournament began, but a Final Round appearance has remained out of reach. Their performances have kept them competitive across multiple seasons, yet that next-level finish continues to be the goal.

Brayelin Martínez

That pursuit continues in 2025 with a group of established stars still leading the charge. Libero Brenda Castillo, widely regarded as one of the most decorated defensive players in international volleyball, anchors the squad alongside standouts Jineiry and Brayelin Martínez. All three bring extensive VNL and major tournament experience, forming a foundation that has carried the team through multiple cycles.

Dominican Republic will start VNL 2025 Week 1 in Ottawa, facing Serbia, Bulgaria, Netherlands and Japan from 4 to 8 June. In Week 2, they move to Istanbul to meet hosts Türkiye, Belgium, Brazil and Korea and from 18 to 22 June. The Preliminary Round wraps up in Week 3 in Arlington, where they will take on China, United States, Thailand and Germany from 9 to 13 July.

The team will also use the VNL to further integrate younger players emerging from its development system – a long-term priority supported by Empowerment funding. While the veterans remain central to the squad’s identity, the next wave of talent is expected to gain experience during the 2025 season.

“Reinas del Caribe” and GBC Farmacias Renew Strategic Alliance for Second Consecutive Year

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SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, May 20, 2025 .- The Dominican Republic’s National Women’s Volleyball Teams Project and Grupo GBC Farmacias have announced the renewal of their strategic alliance for a second consecutive year. Through this agreement, GBC Farmacias remains the official sponsor of the “Reinas del Caribe” for all international competitions during the 2025 season, including the Volleyball Nations League and the FIVB World Championship.

The announcement was made during a press conference led by Cristóbal Marte Hoffiz, President of the National Teams Project, and Raymond Rodríguez, Executive Vice President of Grupo GBC Farmacias.

Lic. Cristóbal Marte

During the event, Marte Hoffiz unveiled the new uniforms the Reinas del Caribe will wear in 2025, designed by the renowned Japanese brand Mizuno Corporation. He also emphasized that the financial resources generated through the agreement will be allocated as stipends for athletes across the four national women’s teams: U19, U21, U23, and the senior team.

Several players from the national program, along with members of the coaching staff, were present at the event.

“In 2025, the Dominican Republic will, for the second time, become the only country in the world to qualify for the U19 World Championship in Croatia, the U21 World Championship in Indonesia, the Youth Olympic Games (IOC) in Paraguay in the U21 category, and additionally, the Reinas del Caribe will compete in the Nations League and the FIVB World Championship in Thailand,” Marte Hoffiz stated. He added that in previous years, only Brazil had achieved a similar feat.

Lic. Raymond Rodríguez Junior

Marte also highlighted the academic focus of the program: “Most of our athletes are pursuing university degrees, both locally and abroad. Currently, we have six players on 50% scholarships in Japan, and the first among them was Alondra Tapia.”

For his part, Raymond Rodríguez, President of the GBC Foundation and Vice President of the business group, expressed his pride in continuing to support the team. “We are thrilled to extend this agreement and continue being part of the Reinas del Caribe family — a team that inspires hundreds of young girls to chase their dreams,” he said. “The National Teams Project has more than three decades of tireless work behind it and has become a model of success. Hopefully, other sports can follow this example.”

Rodríguez also emphasized the company’s social commitment: “As a foundation and as GBC Farmacias, we are proud to keep contributing so that many girls can dream of one day becoming a Reina del Caribe.”

The event was also attended by prominent figures from the national volleyball community and the corporate sector, including Milagros Cabral, General Director of the volleyball project; Francisca Santana, GBC’s Marketing Manager; and journalist Vargavila Riverón, Communications Advisor for Grupo GBC.

2025 Volleyball Canada Men’s Team Revealed

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May 20, 2025: Volleyball Canada has announced its Senior and Next Gen indoor men’s national teams for the 2025 season.
 
The senior team will compete in Volleyball Nations League kicking off in Quebec City, Quebec – presented by Desjardins – on June 11 and then travel to the United States and Slovenia in hopes of qualifying for the finals, to be held in China. In 2024, the senior men finished ranked sixth after making the VNL Finals and then going on to compete in Paris at the Olympic tournament.
 
After VNL, the team will prepare for the 2025 Men’s World Championship in September, with a Team Canada roster to be announced at a later date.  
 
Leading the senior team will be head coach Dan Lewis in his first season in this position.
 
“With a small group of returning Olympians, this year’s senior team will also showcase athletes who are looking to shine and gain valuable experience on the world stage leading up to LA2028,” said Julien Boucher, Volleyball Canada’s men’s indoor high-performance director. “The Next Gen team lineup shows depth and the hard work that goes into preparing athletes to compete at the highest level.”
 
The Next Gen squad, under the guidance of head coach Dave Preston, features up and coming talent from across the country. This team will be focused on training and competing at the NORCECA Pan Am Cup, August 24 to September 1, in Mexico.
 
Senior Team Athletes
Landon Currie – Libero – Coldstream, BC
Max Elgert – Setter – Edmonton, AB
Jesse Elser – Outside Hitter – Calgary, AB
Daenan Gyimah – Middle Blocker – Scarborough, ON
Luke Herr – Setter – Winnipeg, MB
Isaac Heslinga – Outside Hitter – Orangeville, ON
Nicholas Hoag – Outside Hitter – Gatineau, QC
Brodie Hofer – Outside Hitter – Langley, BC
Xander Ketrzynski – Opposite – Toronto, ON
Justin Lui – Libero – Pickering, ON
Fynn McCarthy – Middle Blocker – Lake Country, BC
Jordan Schnitzer – Middle Blocker – Surrey, BC
Ryan Sclater – Opposite – Port Coquitlam, BC
Skyler Varga – Outside Hitter – Muenster, SK
 
Alternate Athletes
Mason Greves – Setter – Calgary, AB
Jackson Howe – Middle Blocker – Calgary, AB
Matthew Neaves – Opposite – Calgary, AB
Cory Schoenherr – Middle Blocker – Waterloo, ON
Jackson Young – Outside Hitter – Toronto, ON
 
Staff
Dan Lewis – Head Coach
Joao Paulo Bravo – Assistant Coach
Jason Haldane – Assistant Coach
Alberto Varela Frontier – Statistician
Michael Cook – Strength & Conditioning Coach, IST Lead
Schad Richea – Athletic Therapist
Nicholas Poelman – Chiropractor
Melissa Healy – Medical Coordinator
Kyle Paquette – Mental Performance Coach
Donna McDonagh – Mental Health Practitioner
Ashley Armstrong – Sport Dietician
Cassandra Nicol – Team Manager, Coordinator
Julien Boucher – High-Performance Director
 
NextGen Team
Athletes
Jordan Canham – Opposite – Avonmore, ON
Jackson Corneil – Middle Blocker – Surrey, BC
Cole Duncanson – Middle Blocker – St Catharines, ON
Zachary Hollands – Libero – Victoriaville, QC
Liam Kristjanson – Middle Blocker – Oak River, MB
Jeremy Love – Setter – Dauphin, MB
Brendan Mills – Opposite – London, ON
Liam Pauls – Outside Hitter – Balmoral, MB
Darian Picklyk – Libero – Winnipeg, MB
Jacob Sargent – Outside Hitter – Lethbridge, AB
Kaden Schmidt – Outside Hitter – Mississauga, ON
Erik Siksna – Outside Hitter – Markham, ON
Tomas Sorra – Setter – Toronto, ON
Zachary van Geel – Setter – Calgary, AB
Jonas Van Huizen – Outside Hitter – Langley, BC
Matthys Weststrate – Middle Blocker – Kelowna, BC
 
Staff
Dave Preston – Head Coach
Scott Koskie – Assistant Coach
John Barrett – Assistant Coach
Grant Wilson – Assistant Coach
Matthew Harris – Assistant Coach
Raphael Poulin – Strength & Conditioning Coach
Michael Cook – IST Lead
Meredith Waisman – Sport Physiotherapist
Melissa Healy – Medical Coordinator
Brendan Dinsdale – Mental Performance Coach
Donna McDonagh – Mental Health Practitioner
Ashley Armstrong – Sport Dietician
Cassandra Nicol – Team Coordinator
Georges Laplante – Team Manager
Julien Boucher – High-Performance Director

Puerto Ricans Allanis Navas and María González Win Gold in Juan Dolio

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SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, May 18, 2025.- Puerto Ricans Allanis Navas and María González claimed the gold medal after defeating Mexico’s Susana Torres and Atenas Rodríguez in a thrilling match 2-0 (21-19, 21-19) in the second stage of the 2025 NORCECA Beach Volleyball Continental Tour, held on the beach of Juan Dolio in the Dominican Republic.

The bronze medal went to Mexico’s Yeray Vidaurruzaga and María Ramírez, who bounced back after dropping the first set to defeat Corine Quiggle and Megan Rice from the United States 2-1 (18-21, 21-19, 15-12).

Fifth place was claimed by Canada’s Maya McNabney and Emma Kunaus, who needed three sets to overcome Dominicans Yari Cleto and Crismil Paniagua 2-1 (21-12, 20-22, 15-13).

In the match for seventh place, Americans Kelly Kool and Tiffany Svenssohn outlasted Dominican duo Julibeth Payano and Bethania Almanzar 2-1 (21-19, 18-21, 15-8), while Canada’s Emily Anderson and Amanda Harnett secured ninth place by defeating Nicaragua’s Socorro López and Lolette Rodríguez 2-0 (21-13, 21-7).

Eleventh place went to Melanie Valenciana and T’ara Austin of the U.S. Virgin Islands, who beat Cayman Islands’ Deajra Tulloch and Maryn McCoombs 2-0 (21-17, 21-12). Venezuela’s Oriana Granadilla and Reibeth Artigas claimed 13th place after a 2-0 (21-19, 21-13) victory over Costa Rica’s Aliza Aguilar and Sofía Vega.

El Salvador’s Donnina Argueta and Keiry Guzmán finished in 15th place with a 2-0 (21-12, 21-4) win over Trinidad and Tobago’s Meeka Johnson and Paige Alexander, while Guatemala’s Laura Quiñones and Naomi Monney took 17th place.

Miguel Sarabia and Jorman Osuna of Mexico Champions of the Second Stage of the NORCECA Beach Tour

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SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, May 18, 2025.- The Mexican duo of Miguel Sarabia and Jorman Osuna claimed top honors in the second stop of the 2025 NORCECA Beach Tour after outlasting Americans Timothy Brewster and Ryan Ierna in a hard-fought three-set battle, 2-1 (21-19, 18-21, 15-12).

The bronze medal went to fellow Mexicans Antonio Lares and Carlos Ayala, who came from behind to defeat Nicaragua’s Rubén Mora and Dany López 2-1 (16-21, 21-15, 15-13).

Fifth place was secured by Americans Lev Priima and Brian Miller, who beat U.S. Virgin Islands’ Garrett Bucklin and Devin Van Siclen 2-0 (25-23, 21-14).

Canada’s Dylan Devecseri and Rouzbeh Rahnavard took seventh place after a 2-1 (21-12, 18-21, 15-11) win over Costa Rica’s Julián Araya and Jhostin Varela. In ninth place were Puerto Ricans Richard Timm and Diego Rosich, who topped Dominican duo Hayerlin De Jesús and Rolvin Maldonado 2-0 (21-15, 21-17).

Guatemala’s Luis García and Edgar Maldonado finished in 11th place due to a withdrawal by the team from Trinidad and Tobago. Canada’s Cameron Chadwick and Robert Kemp claimed 13th place by defeating Dominicans R. De Jesús and Alexander Wilmore 2-0 (21-12, 21-15).

El Salvador’s Gabriel Vargas and Carlos Mejía earned 15th place with a 2-0 (21-13, 21-12) win over Saint Kitts and Nevis’ Julián Bristol and Jedediah Pencheon. Venezuela’s Harrison Riveros and Luis Méndez took 17th place by defeating Cayman Islands’ Stephen Watson and Ricardas Kazinec 2-0 (21-13, 21-19), while Guy Lieveld and Jamal Atman of Suriname finished in 19th place.

Women’s Tandems of USA, Puerto Rico and Mexico Advance to Semifinals in Juan Dolio

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SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, May 17, 2025.- The duos of Corine Quiggle and Megan Rice from the United States, Allanis Navas and María González of Puerto Rico, and Mexico’s Susana Torres with Atenas Gutiérrez, along with Yeray Vidaurruzaga and María Ramírez, have all advanced to the semifinals of the second stage of the NORCECA Beach Volleyball Continental Tour. The event is taking place on the beautiful sandy courts of Juan Dolio Beach in the Dominican Republic.

The American pair Quiggle/Rice, champions of the first stage held in Varadero, secured their semifinal berth by defeating the Dominican duo of Julibeth Payano and Bethania Ramírez in straight sets 2-0 (21-14, 21-13).

Puerto Rico’s Allanis Navas and María González, playing their first event of the 2025 NORCECA Tour, cruised past the U.S. team of Kelly Kool and Tiffany Svenssohn with a dominant 2-0 (21-7, 21-9) win.

Corinne Quiggle of United States

Meanwhile, Mexico’s Susana Torres and Atenas Gutiérrez comfortably overcame Canada’s Maya McNabney and Emma Kunaus 2-0 (21-15, 21-10), and their compatriots Yeray Vidaurruzaga and María Ramírez defeated the Dominican pair Yari Cleto and Crismil Paniagua 2-0 (21-13, 21-11) to reach the next round.

In the semifinals, Quiggle/Rice from the United States will face Puerto Rico’s Navas/González, while the other semifinal will feature a repeat of the all-Mexican clash from Varadero between Torres/Gutiérrez and Vidaurruzaga/Ramírez.

The tournament concludes this Sunday with placement matches, the semifinals, and the grand finale.

Other results of the day were:

DOM Payano/Almanzar d GUA Quiñones/Monney 2-0 (21-16, 21-8), MEX Vidaurrazaga/María d VEN Granadilla/Artigas 2-0 (21-13, 21-16), DOM Payano/Almanzar d VEN Granadilla/Artigas 2-0 (21-15, 21-13), CAN Anderson/Harnett d GUA Quiñones/Monney 2-0 (21-7, 21-15), USA Quiggle/Rice d ISV Valenciana/Austin 2-0 (21-12, 21-16), USA Quiggle/Rice d TTO Johnson/Alexander 2-0 (21-3, 21-7), DOM Cleto/Paniagua d ISV Valenciana/Austin 2-0 (21-18, 21-17), MEX Torres/Gutierrez d CRC Aguilar/Vega 2-0 (21-7, 21-15), USA Kool/Svenssohn d CRC Aguilar/Vega 2-0 (21-14, 21-9), MEX Torres/Gutierrez d NCA López/Rodríguez 2-0 (21-6, 21-12), CAN McNabney/Kunaus d ESA Argueta/Guzmán 2-0 (21-11, 21-8), PUR Navas/González d CAN McNabney/Kunaus 2-0 (21-10, 21-15), CAY Tulloch/McCoombs d Argueta/Guzmán 2-0 (21-12, 21-19).

United States, Nicaragua, and Mexico Reach Men’s Semifinals in Juan Dolio

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SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, May 17, 2025.- Teams from the United States, Nicaragua, and Mexico have secured their spots in the semifinals of the second stop of the 2025 NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour, after claiming victory in their respective quarterfinal matches on Saturday. The event takes place on the sandy courts set up along the beach in Juan Dolio.

The U.S. duo of Timothy Brewster and Ryan Ierna advanced to the next round with a dominant straight set win over Garrett Bucklin and Devin Van Siclen of the U.S. Virgin Islands, 2-0 (21-14, 21-18).

In a tightly contested Central American battle, Nicaragua’s Rubén Mora and Dany López emerged victorious over Costa Rica’s Julián Araya and Jhostin Varela, rallying for a 2-1 win with scores of 19-21, 21-17, 15-11.

Miguel Sarabia of Mexico

Mexico’s Miguel Sarabia and Jorman Osuna moved on to the next round after staging an impressive comeback against Americans Lev Priima and Brian Miller, taking the match in three exciting sets, 2-1 (16-21, 21-18, 15-11).

Meanwhile, the other Mexican pair, Antonio Lares and Carlos Ayala, booked their place in the semifinals with a determined performance, defeating Canada’s Dylan Devecseri and Rouzbeh Rahnavard in another three-set battle, 2-1 (17-21, 21-18, 15-12).

The first semifinal will be an all-Mexican showdown, as Sarabia and Osuna face their compatriots Lares and Ayala, guaranteeing a spot in the final for Mexico.

In the second semifinal, the United States duo Timothy Brewster and Ryan Ierna will face Nicaragua´s Rubén Mora and Dany López, who will be aiming to reach the final once again, just as they did in the first stage of the NORCECA Tour held in Varadero.

Sunday’s schedule includes placement matches, the semifinals, and the tournament final.

Other results of the day:

DOM H. De Jesús/Maldonado d VEN Riveros/Méndez 2-0 (21-19, 21-19), CRC Araya/Varela d CAN Chadwick/Kemp 2-1 (19-21, 21-19, 15-9), USA Priima/Miller d VEN Riveros/Méndez 2-0 (21-17, 21-16), CRC Araya Varela d SUN H. De Jesús/Maldonado 2-1 (21-17, 18-21, 15-11), NCA Mora/López d TTO Theodore/Enile 2-0 (21-14, 21-14), MEX Sarabia/Osuna d NCA Mora/López 2-1 (21-15, 16-21, 16-14), TTO Theodore/Enile d CAY Watson/Kazinec 2-0 (21-19, 21-17), MEX Sarabia/Osuna d DOM R. De Jesús/Wilmore 2-0 (21-14, 21-14), PUR Tiim/ Rosich d SUR Lieveld/Atman 2-0 (21-6, 21-9), MEX Lares/Ayala d ISV Bucklin/Van Siclen 2-0 (21-8, 21-15), SKN Bristol/Pencheon d SUR Lieveld/Atman 2-0 (21-9, 21-18), ISV Bucklin/Van Siclen d PUR Tiim/Rosich 2-0 (21-16, 21.15), USA Brewster/Ierna d GUA García/Maldonado 2-0 (21-13, 21-16), USA Brewster/Ierna d CAN Devecseri/Rahnavard 2-0 (21-15, 21-15), GuUA García/Maldonado d ESA Vargas/Mejía 2-0 (21-13, 21-18).

USA, Canada, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Mexico Women’s Teams Unbeaten in Juan Dolio

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SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, May 16, 2025.- Women’s duos from the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Mexico remained undefeated on the first day of competition in the second stage of the NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour. Their performances showcased the high level of competition and talent present at the tournament, which is taking place on the beautiful sand courts set up at Juan Dolio beach in the Dominican Republic, a setting that surely adds a special touch to the event.

In Pool A, Mexico’s Yeray Vidaurrazaga and María Ramírez defeated the Dominican duo Julibeth Payano/Bethania Almanzar 2-1 (16-21, 21-14, 15-12), Guatemala’s Laura Quiñones/Naomi Monney 2-0 (21-13, 21-12), and Canada’s Emily Anderson/Amanda Harnett 2-0 (21-16, 21-17).

Aliza Aguilar of Costa Rica

Winners of the first stage in Varadero, Americans Corine Quiggle and Megan Rice, topped Pool B by beating Dominican pair Yari Cleto/Crismil Paniagua 2-0 (21-13, 21-12). Their second scheduled match was a bye. Meanwhile, Melanie Valenciana and Austin T’ara of the U.S. Virgin Islands defeated Trinidad and Tobago’s Meeka Johnson/Paige Alexander 2-0 (21-9, 21-5), with their other match also a bye.

In Pool C, Mexicans Susana Torres and Atenas Rodríguez, silver medalists in the Varadero stop,  overcame Americans Kelly Kool and Tiffany Svenssohn 2-0 (21-17, 21-12), while their second match was a bye.

Puerto Rico’s Allanis Navas and María González, gold medalists at the 2023 Central American and Caribbean Games in El Salvador, earned two dominant victories in Pool D. They first beat Deajra Tulloch and Joanna Robinson of the Cayman Islands 2-0 (21-8, 21-7), then took down El Salvador’s Donnina Argueta and Keiry Guzmán 2-0 (21-7, 21-7). Additionally, Canada’s Maya McNabney and Emma Kunaus defeated Tulloch/Robinson 2-0 (21-9, 21-11), with their second match resulting in a bye.

The competition continues Saturday at 8:00 a.m. (local time) with the remainder of the preliminary round, followed by the quarterfinals and the loser’s bracket.

Other results from the opening day are:

CAN Emily Anderson/Amanda Harnett d VEN Oriana Granadilla/Reibeth Artigas 2-1 (17-21, 21-12, 15-12), DOM Julibeth Payano/Bethania Almanzar d CAN Anderson/Harnett 2-1 (23-21, 17-21, 15-13), VEN Granadilla/Artigas d GUA Laura Quiñones/Naomi Monney 2-0 (21-8, 21-16), DOM Yari Cleto/Crismil Paniagua d TTO Meeka Johnson/Paige Alexander 2-0 (21-8, 21-7), USA Kelly Kool/Tiffany Svenssohn d NCA Socorro López/Lolette Rodríguez 2-0 (21-7, 21-7), NCA López/Rodríguez d CRC Aliza Aguilar/Sofía Vega 2-0 (21-16, 21-8).

2025 FIVB Girls’ U19 World Champs match schedule released

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May 16, 2025.- The excitement ahead of the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Girls’ U19 World Championship set to get underway on July 2 is about to build up further with the announcement of the match schedule for the pool stage of the competition. Osijek in Croatia and Vrnjacka Banja in Serbia will host two pools each, running concurrently on four courts with three games per pool on each competition day.

FIVB Volleyball Girls’ U19 World Championship: match schedule

2025 FIVB Volleyball Girls’ U19 World Championship 

In what is probably the most interesting among the four opening matches, reigning 2024 U18 European champions Bulgaria will be challenged by another powerful European team, Poland, who finished fourth at the continental championship. It is a Pool C game to be played in Osijek, starting at 15:15 local time (13:15 UTC) on July 2.

In the other three opening matches that will serve off simultaneously, Egypt will meet Canada in Osijek’s Pool A, Argentina will face Puerto Rico in Vrnjacka Banja’s Pool B, and Japan will take on Belgium in Pool D, also in Vrnjacka Banja.

Co-hosts Croatia and Serbia will start their campaigns against Germany in Pool A and against Chinese Taipei in Pool B, respectively, later that day, at 18:15 (16:15 UTC).

The United States will start the defense of their 2023 U19 world title with a Pool C game against Spain at 21:15 (19:15 UTC).

These three time slots will apply to all four pools on all five competition days of the first phase of the tournament, from July 2 through July 7, with a rest day on July 5.

The top four teams in the final standings of each six-team pool will continue their quest for world honors in the elimination rounds leading up to the medal matches on July 13. The rest will continue their participation in the playoffs for the distribution of the places from 17th to 24th. All 24 teams will go through the respective number of playoff rounds (direct up-or-down matches) to fill all the places from first to 24th in the final competition standings.

Six Men’s Teams Undefeated in Second Phase of NORCECA Beach Volleyball Continental Tour

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SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, May 16, 2025.- Teams from the United States, Canada, Mexico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica remain undefeated in the preliminary round of the second stage of the NORCECA Beach Volleyball Continental Tour. This highlights the strength and talent of these squads, who are giving it their all to advance in the tournament being held at the beautiful Juan Dolio beach in the Dominican Republic, a perfect setting for this thrilling event.

Timothy Brewster/Ryan Ierna of the United States easily defeated El Salvador’s Gabriel Vargas/Carlos Mejía 2-0 (21-11, 21-13), while their second match was a bye. Meanwhile, Canada’s Dylan Devecseri/Rouzbeh Rahnavard beat Guatemala’s Luis García/Edgar Maldonado 2-0 (21-13, 21-16) and also overcame Vargas/Mejía from El Salvador 2-1 (21-14, 14-21, 17-15).

Julian Araya and Jhostin Varela of Costa Rica

Mexico’s Antonio Lares/Carlos Ayala secured victories over Puerto Rico’s Richard Timm/Diego Rosich 2-0 (21-15, 21-17), Saint Kitts and Nevis’ Julián Bristol/Jedediah Pencheon 2-0 (21-11, 21-14), and Suriname’s Guy Lieveld/Jamal Atman 2-0 (21-10, 21-6). The other Mexican duo, Miguel Sarabia/Jorman Osuna, defeated Stephen Watson/Ricardas Kazinec of the Cayman Islands 2-0 (21-11, 21-12) and also beat Trinidad and Tobago’s Joel Theodore/Stephen Enile 2-0 (21-12, 21-13).

Garrett Bucklin/Devin Van Siclen of the U.S. Virgin Islands won their matches against Bristol/Pencheon 2-0 (21-17, 21-8) and Lieveld/Atman 2-0 (21-12, 21-10). Nicaragua’s Rubén Mora/Dany López triumphed over the Dominican pair Ramón De Jesús/Alexander Wilmore 2-0 (21-17, 21-6) and beat Watson/Kazinec 2-0 (21-13, 21-11).

Another undefeated team was Costa Rica’s Julián Araya/Jhostin Varela, who prevailed over Lev Priima/Brian Miller of the United States 2-1 (21-14, 16-21, 15-9), and defeated Venezuela’s Harrison Riveros/Luis Méndez 2-0 (21-18, 27-25).

The preliminary round continues Saturday, followed by the quarterfinals and the loser’s bracket.

Other results of the day were:

DOM Hayerlin De Jesús/Rolvin Maldonado d CAN Cameron Chadwick/Robert Kemp 2-1 (16-21, 21-19, 15-13), USA Lev Priima/Brian Miller d DOM H. De Jesús/Maldonado 2-0 (21-16, 21-18), CAN Chadwick/Kemp d VEN Harrison Rivers/Luis Méndez 2-1 (21-19, 25-27, 15-8), TTO Joel Theodore/Stephen Enile d DOM R. De Jesús/Wilmore 2-1 (20-22, 21-19, 15-12), DOM R. De Jesús/Wilmore d CAY Stephen Watson/Ricardas Kazinec 2-0 (21-11, 21-14), PUR Richard Timm/Diego Rosich d SKN Julián Bristol/Jedediah Pencheon 2-0 (21-12, 21-15).

Dominican Volleyball Association in Puerto Rico Hosts Successful Independence Cup

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SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, May 16, 2025. – The Dominican Volleyball Association in Puerto Rico, which is part of the Dominican Volleyball Federation, recently held its second Independence Cup, an event that brought together six teams and celebrated the achievements of the Dominican community in Puerto Rico.

The tournament took place at the Bayamón Military Academy, with the team from Villa Tapia emerging as the champions.

“We successfully held the second Independence Cup with the participation of six teams, two of which came from Villa Tapia in the Dominican Republic. The Villa Tapia teams were led by José Francisco Fernández, treasurer of the Dominican Federation. It was an excellent event,” said Rafael Paniagua, President of the Association.

Paniagua was joined by other Association members, including Yeye Ventura, Juan Garabito Matos, Cristian Cruz, Dr. Carlos Pérez, and Dr. Ángeles Alonso.

As part of the Association’s ongoing activities, a triangular tournament will take place on May 17 and 18 at the Bayamón Military Academy, featuring two visiting teams from the Dominican Republic.

“We’ll have two teams from Monte Plata, one men’s and one women’s. Matches will be played Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning. This is part of our programming for the enjoyment of our community in Puerto Rico,” Paniagua added.

The local teams participating include Las Primas (women’s), Team Chercha (men’s), and Voly Rumba (both divisions).

Additionally, in July, the Association will conduct a second talent identification initiative for Dominicans and their descendants up to the third generation, across both genders and various age categories.

Level 1 International Coaching Course Successfully Concludes in the Dominican Republic

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SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, May 16, 2025 – With strong international participation and a notable female presence, the Level 1 International Coaching Course successfully concluded in the Dominican Republic, held from May 6 to 10.

The event was organized by the NORCECA–FIVB Regional Volleyball Development Center and brought together 38 coaches from Colombia, Panama, Puerto Rico, Aruba, Venezuela, Curaçao, the United States, and the Dominican Republic.

Over five intensive days, participants received comprehensive training in both theoretical and practical aspects, under the guidance of international instructor Ariel Sainz from Cuba, who led the course with extensive experience and professionalism.

A highlight of the course was the participation of 13 female coaches, reaffirming NORCECA and FIVB’s commitment to promoting female leadership in volleyball.

At the conclusion of the course, all participants received their Level 1 Coaching Certificate, and the most outstanding individuals were recognized for their excellent performance: Adalberto Morales Rosa and Leira Ortis from Puerto Rico, along with Samaret Carraballo from the Dominican Republic.

This type of initiative continues to strengthen the technical development of volleyball in the region, equipping coaches with up-to-date tools and a comprehensive understanding of the game, in alignment with the international standards promoted by FIVB and NORCECA.

In a communication sent to the Regional Volleyball Development Center in Santo Domingo by the FIVB Development & Sustainability Department, Takahiro Fujino expressed “Your dedication and expertise have played a vital role in enhancing the coaching capabilities of local participants. It is especially encouraging to see such a high number of female coaches involved in this edition, reflecting our shared commitment to promoting gender equality in the sport”.

The Regional Development Center thus reaffirms its commitment to educational excellence and the sustainable growth of volleyball across the Americas.

FIVB launches landmark athlete career transition seminar: “Beyond the Court”

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May 16, 2025.- In a landmark moment for the Global Volleyball Movement, the FIVB Athletes’ Commission with support from the FIVB has launched its first-ever athlete post-career seminar – “Beyond the Court”. This pioneering program is designed to guide volleyball and beach volleyball athletes as they transition from elite competition into post-professional-athlete careers. 

Taking place from 6 to 10 October 2025 at the FIVB Volleyball House in Lausanne, Switzerland, the seminar has been developed by the FIVB Athletes’ Commission in collaboration with the International Centre for Sports Studies (CIES), the FIVB and other key partners. The initiative aligns with the FIVB Strategic Vision 2032, which is driven by the motto “Together as One” and anchored in the core values of professionalism, integration, empowerment and mass participation. By offering structured support for life beyond the court, the FIVB is not only preserving the heritage of its athletes but is also actively building pathways for them to remain at the heart of the sport – as leaders and mentors. 

Over five days, participants will engage in expert-led workshops, connect with global industry leaders and receive personalized mentorship opportunities.  

The seminar is open to retiring or recently retired high-performance volleyball and beach volleyball athletes. Applicants must be at least 18 years old and have represented their national team or club at top World or Continental level events. 

Speaking about the upcoming seminar, FIVB President Fabio Azevedo stated:  

“I am extremely proud that the FIVB is launching ‘Beyond the Court’. Through the seminar, we are turning another pillar of the FIVB Strategic Vision 2032 – ‘Athletes, History and Heritage’ – into reality. Athletes are at the very heart of our sport, and we want to celebrate them, while also empowering them to create new chapters of success. Together as One, we are encouraging future leaders and strengthening bonds across the Global Volleyball Movement.” 

FIVB Athletes’ Commission President Louise Bawden added: 

“Every athlete reaches a point where the focus begins to shift from performance on the court to what comes next—and that transition isn’t easy. ‘Beyond the Court’ is about recognizing the wide horizon of opportunities beyond playing. It’s great to see the FIVB supporting athletes in building those new pathways—offering the tools, networks and confidence needed to thrive in the next chapter, while staying connected to the sport we love.” 

Click HERE to Apply.

Osvaldo Idel Martínez, Mireya Luis elected to lead Cuban Volleyball Federation

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May 14, 2025.- Osvaldo Idel Martinez Arias and Mireya Luis Hernandez have been elected to lead the Cuban Volleyball Federation (FCV), following General Assembly held in Havana on May 9 to define the sport’s leadership for the 2025-2028 cycle.

Osvaldo Idel Martinez Arias, a long-time coach and sport administrator, was elected President, while Mireya Luis, one of the most celebrated figures in international volleyball, was named Vice President. The session was chaired by Cuban Olympic Committee President Roberto Leon Richards and Minister of Sport Osvaldo Vento Montiller.

Martinez’s connection to volleyball spans more than four decades, starting as a physical education teacher in Camaguey before moving into coaching and national team development. His track record includes guiding youth and school teams, international assignments in Venezuela, and leadership within the FCV, where he most recently served as Secretary General.

The strength of the newly elected Executive Committee lies in shared experience and commitment, as he works alongside Mireya Luis and Yumilka Ruiz, both fellow Olympians and former teammates from Camaguey.

Mireya Luis brings exceptional stature and international influence on the role. She is a three-time consecutive Olympic gold medalist, having led Cuba to titles in 1992, 1996 and 2000. She captained Cuba’s golden generation and remains one of the sport’s most recognizable figures.

She currently serves as Executive Vice President of the FIVB and is a member of its Board of Administration and Executive Committee, playing a central role in global governance and development initiatives.

Yumilka Ruiz, also a former Olympic champion and now the national commissioner, joins the FCV executive as a board member, alongside Ricardo Borroto (Secretary General), Lorenzo Martinez (Treasurer), Jorge Sosa, and Jorge Luis Garcia.

The appointments come at a decisive moment, as Cuba prepares for the men’s VNL, World Championships at multiple age levels, and the Junior Pan American Games in both indoor and beach volleyball. Teams are also expected to compete in the NORCECA Beach Circuit and the Beach Pro Tour.

Before Cuba start their VNL campaign in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, they will play two warm-up matches against Argentina in San Juan.

In compliance with the FIVB Regulations, a detailed verification of the documentation for every National Federation election is conducted by the FIVB.

36 Duos to Compete in the Second Stage of the NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour in Juan Dolio

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SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, May 15, 2025.- A total of 36 duos from 19 different countries will compete in the second stage of the 2025 NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour, set to take place from May 16 to 18 on the beautiful beach of Juan Dolio in the Dominican Republic.

Undoubtedly, it will be an event full of talent, energy, and excitement in a paradisiacal setting, featuring 19 men’s teams and 17 women’s teams that confirmed their participation during Thursday’s preliminary meeting.

All teams will give their best in the preliminary round, which kicks off Friday at 8:00 AM, as they aim to advance from the group stage to the knockout round.

Team of United States

On the opening day, 36 group matches will be played, 21 in the men’s division and 15 in the women’s. The preliminary round will conclude on Saturday, along with the quarterfinal matches. Sunday promises to be a spectacular day, featuring the semifinals, the consolation matches, and the grand finale to crown the champions.

Teams:

Men’s Teams: DOM Hayerling De Jesús/Rolvin Maldonado, Ramón De Jesús/Alexander Wilmore; NCA Ruben Mora/Dany López; PUR William Rivera/Cristian Encarnación; USA Timothy Brewster/Ryan Ierna, Lev Priima/Bryan Miller; CAN Dylan Devecseri/Rouzbeh Rahnavard, Cameron Chadwick/Robert Kemp; ISV Garrett Buckling/Devin Van Siclen; MEX Miguel Sarabia/Jorman Osuna, Ines Vargas/Carlos Ayala; CRC Julian Araya/Jhostin Varela; VEN Harrison Riveros/Luis Mendez; TTO Joel Theodore/Stephen Enile; SUR Joshua Dwarkasing/Dean Kasdi; GUA Edgar Maldonado/Luis Garcia; ESA Gabriel Vargas/Carlos Mejia; SKN Julian Bristol/Jededia Pencheon; CAY Stephen Watson/Ricardas Kaziznec.

Women’s Teams: DOM Julibeth Payano/Bethania Almanzar, Yari Cleto/Crismil Paniagua; USA Terese Cannon/Megan Kraft, Hailey Harward/Kelley Kolinske; MEX Susana Torres/Atenas Gutierrez, Yeray Vidaurrazaga, Maria Ramirez; CAN Maya McNabney/Emma Kunaus, Emily Anderson/Amanda Harnett; PUR Allanis Navas/Maria Gonzalez; NCA Socorro Lopez/Lolette Rodriguez; TTO Apphia Glasgow/La Teisha Joseph; VEN Oriana Granadilla/Luisiana Linares; GUA Laura Quiñones/Naomi Monney; ISV Melanie Valenciana/T’ara Austin; CRC Aliza Aguilar/Sofía Vega; ESA Donnina Argueta/Keiry Guzmán; CAY Deajra Tulloch/Maryn McCoombs.

Men’s international stars set to reappear at VNL 2025

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May 15, 2025.- Following an exciting season that culminated with the Paris Olympics in 2024, the biggest men’s international volleyball stars are ready to return to action with their national teams during the Volleyball Nations League 2025.

The rosters of the 18 national teams that will take part in the seventh edition of the event were released and published on the tournament’s website, further increasing the excitement for the initial week of competition, from June 11-15. 

VNL 2025: Men’s Team Rosters (subject to eligibility verification to be conducted by the FIVB)

Reigning VNL and Olympic champions France will have the entire roster that took them to the top of the podium in Paris available for head coach Andrea Giani, including two-time Olympic MVP and star outside hitter Earvin Ngapeth. Other key players in the French squad are setter Antoine Brizard, middle blocker Barthélémy Chinenyeze, outside hitter Trévor Clévenot, opposite Jean Patry and libero Jenia Grebennikov.

Robertlandy Simón de Cuba

FIVB World Ranking leaders Poland is bringing the majority of their stars back in 2025, with outside hitter Wilfredo Leon, opposite Bartosz Kurek and middle blocker Jakub Kochanowski standing out in the list produced by head coach Nikola Grbić.

World champions Italy also preserved the core that took the team to the top of the world in 2022, having outside hitters Alessandro Michieletto and Daniele Lavia, setter Simone Giannelli and libero Fabio Balaso as key pieces.

Paris bronze medalists the United States will take a different approach, entering the VNL with a squad mostly formed by exciting young players, who will have the opportunity to represent their country and show what they are about in the VNL. Leading the team managed by new head coach Karch Kiraly on the court will be libero Erik Shoji, appointed as the captain, middle blocker Jeffrey Jendryk, setter Micah Ma’a and opposite Kyle Ensing.

Brazil is another country that will have new faces on the court with the absences of longtime pillars Bruno Rezende, Lucas Saatkamp and Yoandy Leal. The only returning player from the Brazilian winning campaign at the Rio 2016 Olympics, star outside hitter Ricardo Lucarelli will be one of the faces of the new squad, alongside opposite Darlan Souza, middle blocker Flavio Gualberto and setter Fernando ‘Cachopa’ Kreling.

With a new coach at the helm in Laurent Tillie, Japan will try to continue its recent rise in the international scene having outside hitters Yuki Ishikawa and Ran Takahashi and libero Tomohiro Yamamoto as their top players.

International volleyball stars are spread out among every VNL team, including Argentina’s Agustin Loser, Bulgaria’s Aleksandar Nikolov, Canada’s Ryan Sclater, China’s Zhang Jingyin, Cuba’s Robertlandy Simón, Germany’s György Grozer, Iran’s Amin Esmaeilnezhad, the Netherlands’ Nimir Abdel-Aziz, Serbia’s Drazen Luburić, Slovenia’s Tine Urnaut, Türkiye’s Adis Lagumdzija and Ukraine’s Yurii Semeniuk.

Head coaches will have until next week to make last-minute changes in the list, with up to substitutions allowed per team. For each week of the VNL, a team line-up of 12-14 players and up to four reserve players is selected among the 30 on the long list.

The men’s VNL 2025 will start from June 11-15, will pools held in Xi’an, China, Quebec, Canada, and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Puerto Rico Men’s Volleyball Superior League Ready for the 2025 Season

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SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, May 15, 2025. – The 2025 Men’s Volleyball Superior League (LVSM) will kick off on June 6 with the participation of eight teams: Caribes de San Sebastián (defending champions), Mets de Guaynabo (runners-up), Plataneros de Corozal, Patriotas de Lares, Changos de Naranjito, Gigantes de Carolina, Gigantes de Adjuntas, and Cafeteros de Yauco.

This season highlights the highly anticipated return of the Patriotas de Lares and the renewed rivalry between the Caribes and the Mets de Guaynabo, who played an electrifying championship series last year that went to a thrilling seventh match.

While the Caribes will aim for their third consecutive title, the Mets are back with one goal: to rewrite history and claim the championship.

Meanwhile, the Changos de Naranjito have added national team players Arturo Iglesias and Omar Hoyos to their roster.

The Gigantes de Carolina arrive with a revamped squad, featuring Rickyto Vega and Jonathan Rodríguez, both acquired in a trade with Naranjito.

The Plataneros de Corozal announced on their social media that Ramón “Monchito” Hernández Cruz will continue as head coach, assisted by Raúl Papaleo and Carlos Rodríguez. The team will feature players such as Dennis Del Valle, Luzgardo “Galdi” Liciaga, and Arnaldo Torres, among others. Their home court will be the Juan C. Berríos gym in Barranquitas while repairs are finalized at the Coliseo Carmen Zoraida Figueroa in Corozal.

The Gigantes de Adjuntas continue their preparations under the leadership of team owner Salvador Pérez, while the Cafeteros de Yauco are gearing up with a new international reinforcement. It’s a renewed team with the same ambition.

This season will be dedicated to Gregorio “Goyito” Mejill Vega and Francisco “Frankie” Santana Quiñones in recognition of their impact on Puerto Rican volleyball.

“This new edition of the LVSM reflects the passion and growth of our sport. We are proud to honor two great figures in Puerto Rican volleyball and to welcome back the Patriotas de Lares. We also look forward to another thrilling battle among all teams. Without a doubt, we will witness how the level of our league continues to rise.” — Dr. Trabanco, President of the Puerto Rican Volleyball Federation.

Top-caliber stars headline women’s VNL rosters

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May 8, 2025.- A long line of international stars of the highest caliber headline their national team rosters for the upcoming edition of the women’s Volleyball Nations League 2025.

As the 30-player team lists were finalized and published on the VNL competition website, a number of stellar names attract the fans’ attention in exciting anticipation of the first major event on the 2025 volleyball national team calendar.

VNL 2025: Women’s team rosters (subject to eligibility verification to be conducted by the FIVB)

Defending VNL champions Italy will once again be led by two-time VNL Most Valuable Player Paola Egonu, who was also named MVP of the Paris 2024 Olympic volleyball tournament. In fact, most of the reigning Olympic champions are back on coach Julio Velasco’s squad, including Olympic Dream Teamers Alessia Orro, Anna Danesi, Myriam Sylla and Monica De Gennaro.

In the absence of retired Sarina Koga, VNL 2024 runners-up Japan will be led by new captain Mayu Ishikawa. Rising star Yoshino Sato is also on the team. VNL 2024 Dream Team libero Manami Kojima is among the many other stars in new coach Ferhat Akbas’s selection.

The Best Middle Blocker of last year’s edition, Agnieszka Korneluk, highlights the stellar squad of bronze medalists Poland, along with the likes of fabulous Magdalena Stysiak and rising star Martyna Czyrnianska.

Brazil, who finished fourth in VNL 2024 and took bronze at the Olympics, will feature a long line of outstanding athletes, headlined by their charismatic captain Gabriela Guimaraes, a Paris 2024 Dream Team outside hitter, and featuring quality players like Julia Bergmann, Kisy Nascimento, Rosamaria Montibeller, Macris Carneiro, etc.

Three-time VNL champions and Paris 2024 Olympic silver medalists USA are putting forward a very strong line-up as usual, highlighted by Jordyn Poulter, Avery Skinner, Alexandra Frantti and many others.

The reigning crown bearers of the last two editions of the FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship Serbia will be spearheaded by prominent opposite Tijana Boskovic, while her powerful Turkish counterpart Melissa Vargas will lead the reigning European champions and semifinalists at Paris 2024. Among more experienced players like Teodora Pusic, Katarina Lazovic and Maja Aleksic, younger-generation athletes like Hena Kurtagic are expected to shine on Zoran Terzic’s squad, while Daniele Santarelli seems to have kept a core of established Turkish players like Zehra Gunes, Hande Baladin, Ebrar Karakurt, Cansu Ozbay, etc.

Asian champions Thailand, who are getting ready to host the World Championship later this year, are set to offer a solid presence in the VNL with the likes of Chatchu-On Moksri, Pimpichaya Kokram or captain Ajcharaporn Kongyot on the squad. NORCECA champions Dominican Republic will also rely on their top-caliber stars like Brayelin and Jineiry Martinez, Yonkaira Pena or Brenda Castillo.

There will be plenty of world-class talent on the other nine teams as well – Belgium’s Britt Herbots, Bulgaria’s Zhana Todorova, Canada’s Kiera Van Ryk, China’s Gong Xiangyu, Czechia’s Helena Grozer, France’s Helena Cazaute, Germany’s Anna Pogany, Korea’s Kang Sohwi, or Netherlands’ Nika Daalderop, to name a few.

The current lists of 30 players per team are not completely final, as the head coaches can make up to two replacements within the next week. Then, for the participation in each competition week of the VNL, a team line-up of 12-14 players and up to four reserve players is selected among the 30 on the long list.

AFECAVOL Approves Final Four Events for FIVB Ranking, Confirms Host for U19 Women’s Championship and New Competition Formats

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TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras, May 7, 2025.– In a productive virtual session, the Executive Committee of the Central American Volleyball Association (AFECAVOL) approved key measures to boost volleyball development in the region. Highlights include the official recognition of Final Four tournaments as ranking events for the FIVB World Ranking, the implementation of new competition formats, and confirms El Salvador as host country for the  Central American U19 Women’s Championship.

AFECAVOL President Félix Sabio emphasized the need to reach the highest competitive standards in the region. “It is imperative for our zone to pursue the highest standards. If our events don’t grant world ranking points, we limit opportunities for our countries.” In line with FIVB regulations, Sabio stressed the importance of aligning the calendar and competition criteria to avoid disadvantaging any member federation. “We must put aside national interests and think collectively.”

Sabio also stressed that all AFECAVOL member countries must make the effort to participate in the NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour stages to be held in Central America. The aim is to promote this discipline throughout the region and secure valuable ranking points for qualification to continental, Pan American, and world events.

Additionally, Sabio shared that during the recent FIVB Board of Administration meeting, it was decided that multi-sport events in the Olympic cycle would not award world ranking points. Consequently, it was confirmed during the discussions that, this year, the Final Four tournaments will be the ranking events for the region, with the Senior Volleyball Cups to be included starting next year to meet FIVB point requirements. The calendar for these ranking events will take place annually between May and October.

New Competition Formats

With the goal of enhancing the sporting spectacle and creating new revenue streams, AFECAVOL agreed to replace the traditional round-robin format with a competition system that includes a preliminary group stage, qualification rounds, semifinals, and medal matches. Each tournament’s regulations will detail the competition format based on the number of participating teams.

El Salvador to Host U19 Women’s Championship

El Salvador has been confirmed as the host of the 15th Central American U19 Women’s Volleyball Championship, scheduled for November 7–15, 2025.

Visibility, Equality, and Development

AFECAVOL will promote and strengthen female representation within the coaching staff of each national team in all women’s competitions in the zone, in compliance with the requirements approved by FIVB and NORCECA. Additionally, members were informed that Carlos Enrique Santis was appointed as the international technical delegate for the 2025 Central American Games in Guatemala, where indoor volleyball will take place from October 15 to 23 at the Teodoro Palacios Flores Gymnasium, and beach volleyball from October 23 to 31 in Jalapa.

Technical Training and Digital Tools

It was also announced that member countries are required to train at least three referees per country in the use of the electronic scoresheet via the FIVB e-learning platform. This tool, key to the professionalization of volleyball in the region, will be mandatory for referees and scorers in official tournaments. Additionally, during the U23 Men’s Pan American Cup in Guatemala from July 27 to August 4, AFECAVOL VIS staff will receive training as part of the Zonal Development Plan approved during the AFECAVOL General Assembly. This training responds to NORCECA’s push for the standardization and strengthening of zonal associations. The goal is for each national federation, or each zonal association, to have VIS supervisors to reinforce the statistical structure and ensure continuous growth.

In his closing remarks, President Sabio highlighted AFECAVOL’s commitment to seriousness and professionalism. “We must ensure that the majority of countries participate in all competitions and that our authorities recognize that, as a Zonal Association, we are working responsibly, promoting mass participation and raising the competitive level. AFECAVOL will continue to implement technological tools and stay at the forefront of international trends. Our zone is moving forward.”

FIVB marks 100 days of progress with second edition of Empowering the Global Volleyball Movement

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LAUSANNE, Switzerland, May 7, 2025.- The FIVB is proud to present the second edition of its Empowering the Global Volleyball Movement leaflet, a report outlining the impressive progress made in growing the sport of volleyball and empowering its community worldwide.  

The second edition of Empowering the Global Volleyball Movement is now available here. It offers a comprehensive look at a new era of volleyball, driven by a mission to make volleyball more accessible, impactful and a force for positive societal change.  

This latest edition highlights the exciting progress made during FIVB President Fabio Azevedo’s first 100 days in office, a period defined by driving progress towards the FIVB Strategic Vision 2032. Work is well underway to strengthen opportunities for global volleyball development while deepening engagement with stakeholders across the Global Volleyball and Olympic Movements. 

Among the many milestones celebrated in this edition are the successful Brahmaputra Volleyball League Season 5 Finals, a testament to volleyball’s power to inspire and unite at grassroots level, and the recent FIVB Board of Administration meeting. In addition, the FIVB has expanded its collaborative efforts, forging new partnerships and reinforcing existing ones to amplify volleyball’s reach and impact worldwide. 

This period has also seen continued efforts to empower women and youth, building on the success of the initiatives launched in late 2024 , and setting the stage for more in the months ahead. With a dynamic and packed calendar for 2025, the FIVB remains fully committed to driving progress and serving the Global Volleyball Movement – Together as One.  

FIVB meets with Turkish Olympic Committee leadership, volleyball development headlines discussions

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ISTANBUL, Türkiye, May 7, 2025.- The FIVB this week met with the leadership of the Turkish Olympic Committee (TOC) at its headquarters in Istanbul, following the country’s successful hosting of the European Volleyball Confederation (CEV) Champions League Volley 2025 Final Four Women on 3-4 May.

The meeting focused on further strengthening volleyball development in Türkiye and celebrating the nation’s continued success in the global game. It was hosted by TOC President Ahmet Gülüm, a former captain of the Türkiye men’s national volleyball team and long-time advocate for the development of sport in the country. Also in attendance were TOC Treasurer Mustafa Tankut Turnaoğlu, TOC Board Member Özkan Mutlugil, who has previously served as a FIVB Board of Administration member, CEV Vice President and Treasurer, and Turkish Volleyball Federation (TVF) President, as well as the TOC Secretary General Neşe Gündoğan.

Representatives from the Global Volleyball Movement included FIVB President Fabio Azevedo, CEV President and FIVB 2nd Executive Vice-President Roko Sikirić, TVF Director of International Relations and Organizations Department Nilüfer Basak Shimonsky, FIVB General Sports Director Steve Tutton, Volleyball World Chief Business Officer Guido Betti, and FIVB Head of International Affairs and Communications Anna Manuelian.

During the meeting, the FIVB presented its Strategic Vision 2032, a roadmap for advancing the sport through the pillars of professionalism, integration, empowerment and mass participation. Aligned with its motto, “Together as One”, the FIVB delegation reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with the TOC and TVF to further grow volleyball in Türkiye.

Türkiye has become a global powerhouse in volleyball, particularly in the women’s game, with the national team achieving historic successes and clubs consistently performing at the highest levels in international competitions. The recent CEV Final Four underscored the country’s ability to host world-class events and engage fans worldwide. The country is set to host the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) women’s pool in Istanbul later this year.

International Level I Volleyball Coaching Course Kicks Off in the Dominican Republic

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SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, May 6, 2025.- With the participation of 38 coaches from Aruba, Curaçao, Colombia, Haiti, Panama, Puerto Rico, Nicaragua, Venezuela, and the Dominican Republic, the NORCECA-FIVB Regional Volleyball Development Center in Santo Domingo, has officially launched the International Level I Coaching Course.

The five-day course, which includes both theoretical and practical sessions, is led by FIVB Instructor Ariel Sainz Rodríguez from Cuba. He is joined by renowned sports experts Bernardo Mesa, Alexander Gutiérrez (Venezuela), Marcos Kwiek (Brazil), Juvenal Collado, and Víctor Figueroa both from the Dominican Republic.

Opening ceremony

The opening ceremony was presided over by Professor Nelson José Ramírez, Director of the Development Center, and featured welcoming remarks from Mr. Ramón García, President of the Dominican Volleyball Federation. Also in attendance was Professor Neftalí Ventura, representing the Minister of Sports, who congratulated all national and international participants for their dedication to enhancing their knowledge of the most advanced volleyball techniques.

Special recognition was given to Professor Nelson José Ramírez for his efforts to promote sports education not only in the Dominican Republic but also in countries such as Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guatemala, and Mexico, among others.

The course is being held at the Albergue Olímpico and the Juan Pablo Duarte Olympic Center, with the support of the NORCECA Volleyball Confederation, led by Mr. Cristóbal Marte, and the National Institute of Physical Education.

This significant initiative underscores the region’s commitment to the professional development of volleyball coaches and the overall advancement of the sport across the continent.

UWI Women and JDF Men Crowned JaVA 2025 Club League Champions

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Jamaica, May 6, 2025.- The Jamaica Volleyball Association’s 2025 Club League concluded in thrilling fashion over the weekend, with the University of the West Indies (UWI) women and Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) men emerging Champions in the finals held at the GC Foster College of Physical Education and Sport.

In the Women’s division, reigning champions University of the West Indies (UWI) successfully defended their title, securing a dominant victory over the Mico Old Students Association (MOSA) in straight sets 25-15, 25-10, 25-17.

UWI Women

The Men’s final featured a highly anticipated rematch of last year’s championship showdown between the University of the West Indies (UWI) and the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF).

In what proved to be a fiercely contested final that went the distance and culminated in a nail-biting fifth set, Jamaica Defence Force emerged victorious once again, retaining their championship crown, winning 3 sets to 2 (25-23, 21-25, 25-21,19-25, 15-9).

St. Lucia remains ECVA Men’s Beach Volleyball Champion

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CUL- DE- SAC, St Lucia, May 4, 2025.-  St Lucia’s durable duo of Joseph Clercent and Sheldon Descartes has champed the 2025 Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) Senior Beach Volleyball Championship here at the Cul- de- Sac Bay.

A come from behind, 2-1 (18-21, 21-16, 15-8) win over Bermuda’s Benjamin Barnet and Sean Tucker, gave Clercent and Descartes their third straight lien on the title.

Reflecting on their continued success in the championships, Joseph said, “It is an honour to win again, because we put in the work, and in order to get the results, you have to put in the work. I am glad that the youngsters want to challenge us and that is good for the sport in this region”.

On behalf of silver medalist – Bermuda, Tucker expressed delight in at least being ranked in the top two of the championships.

“It is deflating to lose in the gold medal match. We really wanted to win, but second is big for Bermuda in general and we are really proud of how we performed. Coming up against the home country, back-to-back champions in the final, they gave us a big challenge, and ended up prevailing, as they are a very skillful team”.

The finalists emerged from the semi-finals in contrasting styles over their opponents.

Clercent/ Descartes beat St Kitts and Nevis’ Bristol /Pencheon 2-1(18-21, 21-16, 15-8), while Barnett/ Tucker outlasted Mervin Mingo and Bill Frederick of Dominica Two, 2-0 (32-30, 21-16).

The Bristol/ Pencheon pair went on to secure third place and the bronze medal for their country, by defeating Mingo/ Frederick 2-1(21-19, 10-21, 15-11).

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Clercent/ Descartes (SLU-1) 2. Barnett/ Tucker (BER) 3. Bristol/ Pencheon (SKN)4. Mingo/ Frederick (DMA-2)

Rankings 5-8:  Robinson/ Florent (DMA-1) def Franklyn/ Delpesche (VIN) 21-17, 22-20; Oxford/ Nelson (GRN -1) def Walcott/ Hamilton (GRN -2) 22-24, 21-17, 15- 11; Robinson/ Florent def Oxford Nelson 21-19, 21-19; Walcott/ Hamilton def Franklyn/ Delpesche (forfeit)

Classification: Hazzard/ Fredericks (AGU) def. Emmanuel/ Joseph (LCA) 21-19, 21-16; Davis/ Joseph (ANT) def Albert/ Clarke (SLU) 21-18, 21-13

St. Kitts and Nevis crowned queens in Senior ECVA Beach

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CUL- DE- SAC, St Lucia, May 4, 2025.- The St. Kitts and Nevis combination of Shajunee Gumbs and Shanicia Dyer have champed the Women’s segment of the 2025 Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) Senior Beach Volleyball Championship here at the Cul- de- Sac Bay.

Gumbs and Dyer registered a 2-0 (21-14, 22-20) win over Bermuda’s Hailey Moss and Megan Hands in the gold medal match.

Before facing off in the final, Gumbs/ Dyer had overcome Clio Phillip/ Tenayestlni Joseph of St. Lucia Team Three 2-0(21-15, 21-18), while Moss/ Hands ensured that there will be a new champion, by defeating Grenada Team One of Thornia Mitchell/ Renisha Stafford, 2-0(26-24, 21-15).

However, Mitchell/ Stafford did not leave empty handed, as they got the better of Phillip/ Joseph, 2-0 (22-20, 21-13), to claim the bronze.

Elated on the country’s triumph, Dyer said: “I am very, very happy for the win, more so my partner, who is relatively new to Beach Volleyball. It is more gratifying as we learned each other’s style of play along the way”.

“We did not win any of our matches in the pool round, but we kept saying that since we can win a set, we can win a match, and we went unbeaten from the Round of 12, straight to the final”.

Magnanimous in their defeat, both Moss/ Hands believed that they are better players, after the three days of competing in the championship.  

Moss thus summed up, “ We are proud of how we played and our improvement throughout the Championships. After all, it is an improvement from last year’s showing. We gained a lot of experience, especially how to lift ourselves from the low points”

Classification Matches 5-8: Joseph/ Regis (ANT) def Pascal/ Henry (DMA) 21-10, 21-19; Prospere/Evans (SLU -1) def Neptune/ Gaspard (SLU-4) 21-19, 21-14

Rankings: Jones/Dominique (GRN-2) def. Campbell/ Matthews (VIN) 21-18, 21-19; Richardson/ Fleming (AGU) def. St Clair/ Jules (SLU-2) (forfeiture)

FINAL STANDINGS: 1. Gumbs/ Dyer (SKN) 2. Moss/ Hands (BER) 3. Mitchell/ Stafford (GREN-1) 4. Phillip/ Joseph (SLU-3)

Caguas Crowned New Champion in Puerto Rico’s LVSF

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SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, May 4, 2025.- The Criollas de Caguas were crowned champions of Puerto Rico’s Women’s Superior Volleyball League (LVSF) this Sunday, dethroning the defending champions, the Cangrejeras de Santurce, in Game 6 of the KIA Finals Series held at the Roberto Clemente Coliseum in San Juan.

Caguas sealed the title with a 3-1 (23-25, 25-23, 25-13, 25-21) victory, clinching the series four games to two and securing the 15th championship in franchise history.

With the match tied at one set apiece, the Criollas tightened their net defense and pulled ahead, reaching the second technical timeout with a 15-7 lead following an attack by Temi Thomas Ailara off Santurce’s block. They then extended the lead to 16-7 after a hitting error by Helena Grozer into the antenna.

Santurce never recovered. Caguas reached set point at 24-13 after a hitting error by the Cangrejeras and closed the set on the next play due to a double contact by setter Mynelis Rivera.

In the fourth and final set, Caguas led at both technical timeouts, narrowly at 8-7 in the first, and 16-13 in the second, helped by a hitting error from Andrea Rangel.

Santurce tied it to 18 with a spike from Rangel, but the Criollas held firm. Kristin Lux kept the pressure on from the service line and closed out the match, and the championship, with back-to-back aces.

Lux scored 30 points (26 kills, 1 block, and 3 aces) and was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the Finals Series. Temi Thomas and Kath Bell added 16 and 15 points, respectively.

For Santurce, Andrea Rangel led with 25 points, followed by Kara McGhee with 15 and Helena Grozer with 12.

In overall stats, Caguas outperformed Santurce in attacks (62-57), blocks (9-3), and aces (7-1). However, Santurce led in digs (96-91), receptions (41-38), and assists (21-16).

The Cangrejeras were without their captain, Debora Seilhamer, who was absent due to a medical emergency.

Quiggle and Rice from the USA Crowned Champions of the NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour in Varadero

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VARADERO, Cuba, May 4, 2025.- Corinne Quiggle and Megan Rice of the United States earned their first international podium finish by winning the women’s tournament of the opening stage of the 2025 NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour, held in this renowned resort destination.

The American duo accomplished the goal they had set for themselves by convincingly defeating Mexico’s Susana Torres and Atenas Gutiérrez in straight sets, 21-12 and 21-18, to return home with the desirable top prize.

“We’re very happy because this is only our second international event. We set this goal, and we achieved it. I first came to Varadero in 2016 with a different partner and we finished fifth. I’m thrilled,” said Corinne.

USA Corinne Quiggle-Megan Rice

Her partner, Megan, added, “We’ve felt great here. The beaches are beautiful, and so are the people. There’s a strong culture and Cuban athletes are very professional and full of warmth.”

The bronze medal went to local favorites Kailin Garrido and Maykelin Drik, who battled hard against Mexico’s Yeray Vidaurrazaga and María Ramírez in a match that went to a tie-break, finishing 21-18, 12-21, 15-8.

Earlier on Sunday in the semifinals, Corinne and Megan defeated Kailin and Maykelin 2-0 (21-15, 21-18), showcasing a level of play that confirmed their title chances at a venue where Quiggle placed fifth back in 2016.

In the all-Mexican semifinal, Susana and Atenas beat Yeray and María in straight sets (21-16, 26-24). A foot injury briefly paused the match in the second set, but Atenas recovered and helped seal the win.

Canada’s Amy Ozee and Darby Dunn took fifth place after an injury forced a withdrawal by one of their compatriots, Dana Roskic or Katarina Pantovic, from the opposing team.

Seventh place went to Puerto Rico’s Camila Nazario and Karla Sánchez after a 2-1 victory (18-21, 21-12, 15-12) over Honduras’ Zoe Ebanks and Shanna Rivera, one of only five matches in the tournament to go to three sets.

Cuba’s second team, Amanda Armenteros and Selena Spek, finished ninth after defeating Nicaragua’s Socorro López and Lolette Rodríguez in straight sets (21-12, 21-13).

Rounding out the standings were Suriname’s Chagnaz Frankel and Sharon Balkaran in 11th place after defeating Trinidad and Tobago’s Apphia Glasgow and La Teisha Joseph 2-0 (21-12, 22-20), and Venezuela’s Oriana Bermúdez and Luisiana Linares in 13th, after dominating Dominican Republic’s Crismil Paniagua and Yari Cleto 2-0 (21-16, 21-12).

Blackout During Criollas de Caguas’ Trophy Ceremony: An Incident That Overshadowed Their Triumph

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SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, May 4, 2025.- What should have been a vibrant and emotional celebration for the Criollas de Caguas and their fans, after winning the KIA Finals Series of the LVSF, was marred by an unexpected incident that sparked outrage and concern.

As the team and its supporters celebrated their championship, secured in four sets over the Cangrejeras de Santurce, the lights at the Roberto Clemente Coliseum were abruptly turned off, disrupting the award ceremony and jeopardizing the safety of those in attendance.

Dr. César Trabanco, president of the Puerto Rican Volleyball Federation, addressed the situation, emphasizing that beyond the interruption of the trophy presentation, his main concern was the safety of everyone present, especially children and the elderly, who were suddenly exposed to a potentially hazardous situation due to the sudden loss of lighting.
“This isn’t just about a disrupted event, it’s about an act that put the well-being of those there to celebrate at risk. Safety must be the top priority at any sporting venue, and incidents like this should never happen under any circumstances,” Trabanco stated, visibly concerned.

The sound system also went out, affecting the Cangrejeras de Santurce, who were waiting to receive their runner-up trophy.

While the exact cause of the blackout remains unclear, reports confirmed there were no electrical failures in the area that could justify the interruption. This makes the incident even more troubling, as it is not considered an isolated case. A similar situation occurred during the 2023 finals held at the same venue, in a series against Corozal.

The continued lack of corrective measures to ensure uninterrupted award ceremonies leaves a poor impression and raises doubts about commitment to safety and respect for the sport.

Additionally, the live broadcast of the match on the digital platform Island Hub, used by the Cangrejeras’ management to stream games online via a pay-per-view model, was interrupted multiple times during the match. Paying fans voiced their frustration, as they invested in the service and were unable to watch the end of the game.

A night that was meant to honor the effort and talent of the Criollas ended on a sour note.

The Federation, teams, and fans all deserve celebrations that are carried out with respect and safety, upholding the spirit of the sport and its positive impact on the community.

Díaz and Alayo Crowned Kings in Varadero Stage of the NORCECA Beach Circuit

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VARADERO, Cuba, May 4, 2025.- Cubans Noslen Díaz and Jorge Luis Alayo were crowned kings of the first stage of the 2025 NORCECA Beach Volleyball Circuit, successfully held at this traditional venue since 2011.

Díaz and Alayo, ranked in the FIVB world top ten, claimed their first gold on home soil by convincingly defeating the experienced Nicaraguan duo of Rubén Mora and Dany López in two easy sets, 21-10 and 21-12.

“For us, this medal carries a tremendous sense of honor, pride, and sacrifice, it’s a gift to the Cuban people, and we’re incredibly happy. Playing here is very motivating; it’s a chance to be seen in our homeland and have our family and friends cheering nearby,” said an passionate Alayo to the press.

CUB Noslen Diaz-Jorge Luis Alayo

His towering partner added, “This means a lot to us. We’ve wanted to win gold here for four years. We’ve earned five medals on the world tour, but never in Varadero. This is our gift to the people and all who support us. We’ll keep fighting to bring more victories, and we’re thrilled that the final stage of this circuit is scheduled to be held right here on this wonderful beach.”

The bronze medal went to their compatriots Damián Gómez and Eblis Veranes, who dominated Puerto Rico’s Arnaldo Y. Torres and Cristian Encarnación in straight sets, 21-10 and 21-9, a remarkable achievement considering they debuted in Varadero just a year ago with a ninth-place finish.

In the semifinals, Noslen and Jorge Luis defeated Damián and Eblis 2-0 (21-16, 21-10), while the Nicaraguans Rubén and Dany edged out the Puerto Ricans Torres and Encarnación in a hard-fought 2-1 (21-16, 19-21, 17-15) battle, with the Caribbean pair pushing them to the limit in a thrilling tie-break that could have gone either way.

Fifth place went to Americans Troy Field and Ryan Wilcox, who outplayed Canada’s Steven Abrams and Tynan Gannett 2-0 (21-15, 21-19).

Seventh place was secured by fellow Americans Charles Siragusa and Dexter Campbell after defeating William Clements and Devin Van Siclen of the U.S. Virgin Islands in straight sets, 21-15 and 21-16.

Mexico’s Miguel Sarabia and Jorman Osuna finished ninth by nonattendance after one of the players of the Canadian duo, Martin Licht and Luke de Greeff, was injured and unable to compete. The eleventh position went to Costa Rica’s Justin Solano and Jevan Coronado, who overcame Honduras’ Jairo Gálvez and Irvin Reyes 2-0 (21-18, 21-10).

Mexico’s Antonio Vargas and Carlos Andrés Ayala defeated Venezuela’s Enyenser Delgado and Juliangel Zaid in a tight 2-1 match (21-23, 21-19, 20-18) to claim 13th place.

They were followed by Trinidad and Tobago’s Stephen Enile and Joel Theodore, who beat Suriname’s Joshua Dwarkasing and Dean Kasdi 2-0 (21-15, 21-11), and the Dominican Republic duo Hayerling De Jesús and Rolvin Maldonado, who won over Guatemala’s Andy Blanco and Luis García 2-0 (21-15, 21-18) to round out the standings from 15th to 18th place.

Cuba, Nicaragua, and Puerto Rico Reach Men’s Semifinals in Varadero

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VARADERO, Cuba, May 3, 2025.- Both Cuban duos, along with teams from Nicaragua and Puerto Rico, secured their spots in the men’s semifinal round of the 2025 NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour, taking place on the courts near the Barceló Arenas Blancas Hotel.

The highest-ranked team in the tournament, Cubans Noslen Díaz and Jorge Luis Alayo, will face fellow countrymen Damián Gómez and Eblis Veranes, young, energetic players who have made remarkable progress since their debut last year at this same venue.

The other semifinal will feature Nicaragua’s Rubén Mora and Dany López against Puerto Rico’s Arnaldo Y. Torres and Cristian Encarnación.

NCA-Mora (1) – Lopez (2)

For Olympians Díaz and Alayo, this semifinal is particularly meaningful, as they have yet to claim the top spot on the podium in the last two Varadero editions, settling for bronze in 2023 and silver last year.

In Saturday’s quarterfinals, Díaz and Alayo dominated Americans Charles Siragusa and Dexter Campbell, cruising to a convincing 2-0 victory with scores of 21-7 and 21-11.

Gómez and Veranes had a tougher challenge in the first set but found their rhythm in the second, defeating U.S. Virgin Islands’ Williams Clements and Devin Van Siclen 2-0 (28-26, 21-13).

Meanwhile, Puerto Ricans Torres and Encarnación overcame a rough second set to edge Americans Troy Field and Ryan Wilcox in three sets (21-16, 14-21, 15-10).

The final ticket to the penultimate round went to Nicaragua’s Mora and López, who won the tournament’s longest and most hard-fought match so far. After one hour and eight minutes, they triumphed over Canadians Steven Abrams and Tynan Gannett in three sets (22-24, 28-26, 15-12).

Day’s Results (pool-play):

A: Diaz/Alayo (CUB) a Sarabia/Osuna (MEX) 2-0 (21-15, 21-9) y a De Jesús/Maldonado (DOM) 2-0 (21-16, 21-12), Field/Wilcox (USA) a Sarabia/Osuna (MEX) 2-0  (21-17, 21-14),  Esyenser/Juliangel (VEN) a De Jesus/Maldonado (DOM) 2-0 (21-16, 21-21)

B: Torres/Encarnación (PUR) a Licht/de Greeff (CAN) 2-0 (21-15, 21-19), Blanco/García (GUA) a Siragusa/Campbell (USA) 2-0 (24-22, 24-22), Lares/Carlos Andrés (MEX) a Blanco/Garcia (GUA) 2-0 (21-17, 21-13), Siragusa/Campbell (USA) a Torres/Encarnación (PUR) 2-1 (21-19, 17-21, 15-8)          

C:  Gómez/Veranes (CUB) a Enile/Theodore (TTO) 2-0 (21-18, 21-6), Abrams/Gannett  (CAN) a Solano/Coronado (CRC) 2-0 (21-9, 21-17), Abrams/Gannett (CAN) a  Enile/Theodore  (TTO) 2-0 (21-11, 21-10)

D: Clements/Van Siclen (ISV) a Gálvez/Reyes (HON) 2-0 (21-17, 21-14), Mora/López (NCA) a Clements/Van Siclen (ISV) 2-0 (21-18, 25-23), Gálvez/Reyes (HON) a Dwarkasing/Kasdi (SUR) 2-1 (21-17, 18-21, 15-7)

MEN’S RESULTS VARADERO

Women from Mexico, Cuba, and USA Reach Semifinals at NORCECA Beach Circuit in Varadero

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VARADERO, Cuba, May 3, 2025.- Two teams from Mexico, one from Cuba, and one from the United States have advanced to the women’s semifinals of the NORCECA Beach Volleyball Circuit, which concludes this Sunday on the sands of the renowned tourist resort.

The Mexican duos of Susana Torres/Atenas Gutiérrez and Yamilet Vidaurrazaga/María Jimena Ramírez, the Cuban pair of Kailin Garrido/Maykelín Drik, and the American team of Corinne Quiggle/Megan Rice were victorious in their respective quarterfinal matches.

This Sunday morning, the two Mexican teams will face off across the net semifinals, while the representatives from the United States and Cuba will clash in the other.

In the quarterfinals, Kailin and Maykelín advanced by defeating Puerto Ricans Camila Nazario and Karla Sánchez in straight sets (21-15, 21-11), marking their third win of the tournament, which is part of their preparation for the 2025 Junior Pan American Games in Asunción.

USA-Corinne Quiggle-Megan Rice

Next, Corinne Quiggle and Megan Rice of the United States cruised over Varadero’s soft white sands against Honduras’ Jeanette Ebanks and Shanna Rivera, winning comfortably with set scores of 21-5 and 21-7.

Meanwhile, the two Mexican and two Canadian teams faced each other, with the first win going to Latin Americans Susana Torres and Atenas Gutiérrez, who claimed a 2-0 (21-15, 21-19) victory over Canadians Dana Roskic and Katarina Pantovic.

The women’s day concluded with a hard-fought win by Yamilet Vidaurrazaga and María Jimena Ramírez over Amy Ozee and Darby Dunn in the closest match of the round, finishing 21-18 and 26-24.

Among these semifinalists, the only team without World Beach Pro Tour experience is the Cuban pair, while the Mexican and American players have competed in both Elite and Challenge level events.

In addition to the semifinals, Sunday’s schedule includes classification matches from fifth place onward and will end with the gold and bronze medal matches.

Results from Day Two (pool-play):

A: Ebanks/Rivera (HON) Bye, Kailin/Drik (CUB) a Glasgow/Joseph (TTO) 2-0 (21-6, 21-12).

B: Frankel/Balkaran (SUR), Quiggle/Rice (USA) a Nazario/Sánchez (PUR) 2-0 (23-21, 21-9)

C: Amanda/Spek (CUB) a Ori/Luisiana (VEN) 2-1 (21-19, 20-22, 15-10), Ozee/Dunn (CAN) a Torres/Gutiérrez (MEX) 2-0 (21-14, 21-11)

D: Roskic/Pantovic (CAN) a Vidaurrazaga/Ramírez (MEX) 2-0 (21-13, 21-18), López/Lolette (NCA) a Paniagua/Cleto (DOM)  2-1 (19-21, 21-11, 15-11)

WOMEN’S RESULTS VARADERO

Defending Champions Cangrejeras Still Alive in the LVSF KIA Finals Series

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CAGUAS, Puerto Rico, April 2, 2025. – The defending champions, Cangrejeras de Santurce, kept their title hopes alive on Friday night by sweeping the Criollas de Caguas (25-18, 25-21, 25-21) in the KIA Finals Series of the Women’s Volleyball Superior League (LVSF).

Coming into the match down 1-3 in the series and having lost the previous three matches in straight sets, Santurce faced a packed Roger Mendoza court ready to witness a championship celebration.

Up two sets, the Cangrejeras maintained their rhythm and took a 16-14 lead in the third set thanks to a successful attack by Andrea Rangel from zone two, going off Stephanie Enright’s block. Later, Rangel delivered an ace followed by a back-row attack from Tamara Otene to extend the lead to 19-15. Caguas struggled to recover.

Santurce reached set point at 24-20 with a block on Enright, and it was Otene who sealed the victory with a clean attack from zone two.

After the match, Cangrejeras setter Andrea Fuentes praised her team’s character, saying they overcame the 1-3 series deficit with determination: “Coming here tonight, to a court ready to celebrate, and being able to win in straight sets shows how much character we have,” said the young setter from Caguas.

Fuentes highlighted team unity and mental composure as key factors in the win. She also stated that she feels no internal conflict playing against Caguas, explaining that at this stage of her career, she prepares to face any opponent with the same mindset.

Meanwhile, Criollas middle blocker Diana Reyes acknowledged her team’s struggles at the net and with passing but emphasized that the series is not over yet: “Now we just need to go to practice tomorrow (Saturday), focus on what went wrong, fix it, and head into Sunday ready,” she concluded.

Offensively, Andrea Rangel led Santurce with 22 points (14 attacks, 3 blocks, and 5 aces). Tamara Otene added 15, Kara McGhee scored 14, and Helena Grozer chipped in with 11 points.

No player from Caguas reached double digits; Kath Bell was their top scorer with 9 points.

The Cangrejeras dominated in all facets of the game; 47-34 in attacks, 12-3 in blocks, 7-4 in aces, 54-51 in digs, 43-34 in passes, and 18-10 in assists.

The series now returns to the Roberto Clemente Coliseum, home of the Cangrejeras, for Game 6, scheduled for Sunday at 6:12 p.m.

Exciting action on Day One of ECVA Senior Women’s Beach Championships

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CUL- DE- SAC, St Lucia, May 2, 2025.- The sunbaked venue did not deter the women from giving it their all on day one of the 2025 Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) Senior Beach Volleyball Championships here at the Cul de Sac Bay.

At the end of the day’s high energy action, the winners of Pool C and D, Dominica and St. Lucia,  respectively, were determined.

Topping Pool C was Dominica’s Joeanna Pascal and Zahidu Henry, who defeated Grenada’s duo of Teasis Jones and Sienna Dominique 2-0 (21-15, 21-10) and won on forfeiture from Marie Therese St Clair and Kurtrice Jules of St Lucia.

Meanwhile, Pool D was champed by the St Lucia’s Kerin Neptune and Erica Gaspard. They recorded a 2-1 (15-21, 21-18, 15-9) win over Antigua and Barbuda’s Jassania Joseph and Rayana Regis. Neptune and Gaspard then defeated Hailey Moss and Megan Hands of Bermuda, 2-0(21-13, 21-19).

Also on day one, in Pool A, St Lucia’s Denila Prospere and Chenoa Evans trumped 2-0(21-16, 21-10) over Anguilla ‘s Lavesha Richardson and Deandre Fleming. This, after Richardson and Fleming had overcome St Vincent and the Grenadines’ Nikita Campbell and Veronique Matthews, 2-1 (11-21, 21-16, 15-4).

In Pool B, there were wins for St Lucia and Grenada.

The St Lucian combination of Tenayestlgni Joseph and Clio Phillip defeated St Kitts and Nevis’ Shajunee Gumbs and Shanicia Dyer 2-1(21-15, 18-21, 15-12). Likewise, Grenada’s Thornia Mitchell and Renisha Stafford beat Gumbs and Dyer 2-1(13-21, 21-18, 15-8).

Pool A and B winners will be decided on day two. In Pool A, Prospere/ Evans meet Campbell, with Mitchell and Stafford facing Joseph and Phillip in Pool D decider.

The other preliminary match on day two features Moss/ Hands versus Joseph/ Regis, as Pool D closes off.

Following the completion of the preliminary matches, the playoff takes place to determine the matchups in the quarter finals against the winners of the four pools.

Men’s Pool winners emerge from ECVA Beach Championships

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CUL- DE- SAC, St Lucia, May 2, 2025.-  St Lucia Team One, Dominica Two, Grenada Team Two and Dominica Team One, finished day one with two wins each, to lead their respective pools in the Men’s segment of the 2025 Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) Senior Beach Volleyball Championships here at the Cul de Sac Bay.

St Lucia Team One of Sheldon Descartes and Joseph Clercent were clinical in Pool A play, beating Bermuda’s Benjamin Barnett and Sean Tucker of Bermuda, 2-0(21-18, 21-9). Descartes and Clercent also offloaded Anguilla’s duo of Aiden Hazzard and Da’ Qwan Fredericks, 2-0(21-14, 21-16).

Dominica’s Team Two of Mervin Mingo and Bill Frederick beat Julian Bristol and Jedediah Pencheon 2-0(21-18, 21-12) then swished the duo of Ronaldo Franklyn and Shadron Delpesche of St Vincent and the Grenadines also 2-0(21-9, 21-14).

Meanwhile, Grenada’s Team Two comprising Zerick Walcott and Kibose Hamilton, headed up Pool C.

They had the better of St Lucia Team Two, of Peter Emmanuel and Jentezen Joseph, 2-0(21-13, 21-14) and recorded a hard fought 2-1(21-19, 20-22, 15-12) win over Antigua and Barbuda’s pair of Khaliq Joseph and Cairon Davis.

Completing the double victors on the day, was Dominica Team One, comprising Tyrel Robinson and Yahn Florent who were unbeaten in Pool D.

Robinson/ Florent defeated St Lucia Team Three of Diallo Albert and Lindan Clarke, 2-0(21-12, 21-7,) and overcame Grenada Team One of Christopher Oxford and Isaac Nelson, 2-0(21-18, 21-18)

The pool winners earn direct tickets to the quarterfinals.

Day two features the playoffs in Round of 12, with eight teams other than the pool winners. The quarterfinals pit the pool winners matched up against the Round of 12 winners.

Round of 12:  Barnett/ Tucker vs Albert/ Clarke; Franklyn/ Delpesche vs Emmanuel /Joseph; Joseph/ Davis vs Bristol/ Pencheon; Oxford/ Nelson vs Hazzard/ Fredericks

Other Day One Results:

Franklyn/ Delpesche (VIN) def Bristol/ Pencheon (SKN) 2-0(21-18, 21-19)

Barnett/ Tucker (BER) def Hazzard /Fredericks (ANU) 2-0 (21-11, 21-19)

Oxford/ Nelson (GRN) def. Albert/ Clarke (SLU), 2-0 (21-8, 21-8)

Joseph/ Davis (ANT) def Albert/ Clarke (SLU), 2-1 (21-19, 11-21, 15-7)

Several Women’s Pairs with Chances to Advance in NORCECA Beach Circuit

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VARADERO, Cuba, May 2, 2025.- Pairs from five countries remain undefeated and have strong chances of advancing this Saturday to the quarterfinals of the first phase of the NORCECA Beach Volleyball Circuit, taking place on four courts set up near the Barceló Arenas Blancas hotel.

The host duo Kailin Garrido/Maykelin Drik in Pool A, Puerto Ricans Camila Nazario/Karla Sánchez and Americans Corinne Quiggle/Megan Rice in Pool B, and Canadians Amy Ozee/Darby Dunn along with Mexicans Susana Torres/Atenas Gutiérrez in Pool C all won their first two matches.

Susana Torres (1)-Atenas Gutiérrez (2) MEX

Also, the pair of Dana Roskic/Katarina Pantovic from Canada and the Mexican duo Susana Torres/Atenas Gutiérrez in Pool D secured victories and have equal chances to advance on Saturday when the preliminary round concludes.

First day results:

Grupo A: Ebanks/Rivera (HON) a Glasgow/Joseph (TTO) 2-0 (21-14, 21-14) , Kailin/Drik (CUB) a Ebanks/Rivera (HON) 2-0 (21-9, 21-16),

Grupo B: Nazario/Sanchez (PUR) a Frankel/Balkaran (SUR) 2-0 (21-3, 21-8), Quiggle/Rice (USA) a Frankel/Balkaran (SUR)    2-0 (21-8, 21-4) .                             

Grupo C: Torres/Gutiérrez (MEX) a Ori/Luisiana (VEN) 2-1 (21-11, 25-27, 15-8), Ozee/Dunn (CAN) a Amanda/Spek (CUB) 2-0 (21-17, 21-13), Ozee/Dunn (CAN) a Ori/Luisiana (VEN) 2-0 (21-15, 21-14), Torres/Gutiérrez (MEX) a Amanda/Spek (CUB) 2-0 (21-11, 21-19).

Grupo D: Roskic/Pantovic (CAN) a Paniagua/Cleto (DOM) 2-0 (21-6, 21-16), Vidaurrazaga/Ramírez (MEX) a López/Lolette (NCA) 2-0 (21-13, 21-13), Roskic/Pantovic (CAN) a López/Lolette (NCA) 2-0 (21-15, 21-16), Vidaurrazaga/Ramírez (MEX) a Paniagua/Cleto (DOM) 2-0 (21-11, 22-20).

Cuba and Nicaragua Men Remain Undefeated at Start of NORCECA Beach Tour

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VARADERO, Cuba, May 1, 2025.- Both Cuban teams and Nicaragua’s duo were the only undefeated squads in the opening of pool play at the 2025 NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour, which kicked off its season in this tourist hotspot.

Noslen Díaz and Jorge Luis Alayo lived up to their status as tournament favorites, defeating Venezuela’s Enyenser Delgado and Juliangel Zaid 2-0 (21-19, 21-16), and the U.S. team of Troy Field and Ryan Wilcox, also in straight sets (21-17, 21-19) in Pool A.

Their fellow Cubans, Damián Gómez and Eblis Veranes, also picked up two victories, this time in Pool C, beating Costa Rica’s Justin Solano and Jevan Coronado 2-0 (21-12, 21-14), and Canada’s Steven Abrams and Tynan Gannett 2-0 (21-18, 21-15). They had a bye in their third match.

Jorge Alayo CUB

Also undefeated on this sunny day were Nicaragua’s Rubén Mora and Dany López, who dominated Suriname’s Joshua Dwarkasing and Dean Kasdi 2-0 (21-11, 21-4), and Honduras’ Jairo Gálvez and Irvin Reyes 2-0 (21-7, 21-11) in Pool D.

Pool play will conclude Saturday morning, followed by the quarterfinals. Semifinals and medal matches are scheduled for Sunday at the beautiful venue near the Barceló Arenas Blancas hotel.

Results first day:

Pool A: Díaz/Alayo (CUB) a Esyenser/Juliangel (VEN) 2-0 (21-19, 21-16), Field/Wilcox (USA) a De Jesús/Maldonado (DOM] 2-0 (21-17, 21-11), Diaz/Alayo (CUB) a    Field/Wilcox (USA) 2-0 (21-17, 21-19), Esyenser/Juliangel (VEN) a Sarabia/Osuna (MEX) 2-0 (21-17, 21-19), Sarabia/Osuna (MEX) a De Jesús-Maldonado 2-0 (21-18, 21-10), Field/Wilcox (USA) a Esyenser/Juliangel (VEN) No Show.       

Pool B: Lares/Carlos Andrés (MEX) a Siragusa/Campbell (USA) 2-0 (21-16, 21-16), Licht/de Greeff (CAN) a Blanco/García (GUA) 2-0 (21-13, 21-15), Siragusa/Campbell (USA) a Licht/de Greeff (CAN) 2-1 (21-15, 19-21, 15-8), Lares/Carlos Andrés (MEX) a Torres/Encarnacion (PUR) 2-0 (21-17, 21-16), Torres/Encarnación (PUR) a Blanco/García (GUA) 2-1 (18-21, 21-13, 15-11), Licht/de Greeff (CAN) a Lares/Carlos Andrés (MEX) No Show.

Pool C: Gómez/Veranes (CUB) a Solano/Coronado (CRC) 2-0 (21-12, 21-14) y a Abrams/Gannett (CAN) 2-0 (21-18, 21-15), Solano/Coronado (CRC) a Enile/Theodore (TTO) 2-0 (21-17, 21-9).

Pool D: Mora/López (NCA) a Dwarkasing/Kasdi (SUR) 2-0 (21-11, 21-4) y a Galvez/Reyes (HON) 2-0 (21-7, 21-11), Clements/Van Siclen (ISV) a Dwarkasing/Kasdi (SUR) 2-0 (21-15, 21-18).

Four Countries with the Best Podium Chances at Varadero NORCECA Tour

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VARADERO, Cuba, April 25, 2025.- Canada, the United States, Mexico, and Cuba are seen as the countries with the strongest podium chances, as each will have two teams competing in the men’s tournament of the 2025 NORCECA Beach Volleyball Circuit in Varadero.

The host nation is counting on the strong form of its top duo, Noslen Díaz and Jorge Luis Alayo, thanks to their impressive start this year on the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour. However, despite playing at home, they have yet to claim the top spot in Varadero, settling for bronze in 2023 and silver in 2024.

“I think third time’s the charm, but we respect all our opponents, no one comes to a tournament to lose,” said Alayo.

Mexico arrived on the island under the guidance of the renowned Brazilian coach Ricardo Santos, Olympic champion in Athens 2004, silver medalist in Sydney 2000, and bronze medalist in Beijing 2008.

Canada and the United States have traditionally been among the most successful teams at this event, which also marks the beginning of the qualification process for the 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games in Santo Domingo.

Eighteen matches will be played this Friday as the qualification round kicks off, continuing Saturday with the decisive matches that will determine who advances to the quarterfinals.

Pool A: Noslen Diaz-Jorge Luis Alayo (CUB), Troy Field-Ryan Wilcox (USA), Miguel Sarabia-Jorman Osuna (MEX), Enyenser Delgado-Juliangel Zaid (VEN) y Hayerling De Jesus-Rolvin Maldonado (DOM)

Pool B: Martin Licht-Luke de Greeff (CAN), Antonio Vargas-Carlos Andrés Ayala (MEX), Charles Siragusa-Dexter Campbell (USA), Andy Blanco-Luis Garcia (GUA) y Arnaldo Torres-Cristian Encarnación (PUR)

Pool C: Steven Abrams-Tynan Gannett  (CAN), Damián Gómez-Eblis Veranes (CUB), Justin Solano -Jevan Coronado (CRC) y Stephen Enile-Joel Theodore (TTO)

Pool D: Ruben Mora-Dany López (NCA), William Clements-Devin Van Siclen (ISV), Jairo Galvez-Irvin Reyes (HON) y Joshua Dwarkasing-Dean Kasdi (SUR)

Fourteen Women’s Duos in Varadero NORCECA Beach Circuit

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VARADERO, Cuba, April 25, 2025.- Fourteen teams from eleven countries will compete at the opening of the 2025 NORCECA Beach Volleyball Circuit, which will take place from this Friday through Sunday on courts near the Barceló Arenas Blancas Hotel.

Canada, Mexico, and Cuba will each field two pairs, while the United States, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Suriname, Nicaragua, Honduras, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela will each participate with one team.

This circuit awards points toward the continental and world rankings and also marks the start of the qualification process for the 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games in Santo Domingo. With the aim of securing spots for that multi-sport event, South American nations Venezuela and Colombia are also included.

Among the standout competitors in this tourist city – a regular host of the NORCECA Tour since 2011 – are Mexico’s Susana Torres and Atenas Gutiérrez, medalists at several stops and participants this year in the World Pro Beach Tour in Yucatán (Challenge) and Quintana Roo (Elite), under the guidance of Brazilian coach Regis Castro, a bronze medalist at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Also with World Pro Tour appearances, though with different partners, are American Corinne Quiggle and Canadian Dana Roskic.

Pool A: Kailin Garrido-Maykelin Drik (CUB), Zoe Ebanks-Shanna Rivera (HON), and Apphia Glasgow-La Teisha Joseph (TTO)

Pool B: Corinne Quiggle-Megan Rice (USA), Camila Nazario-Karla Sánchez (PUR) and Chagnaz Frankel-Sharon Balkaran (SUR)

Pool C: Amy Ozee-Darby Dunn (CAN), Amanda Armenteros-Selena Spek (CUB), Susana Torres-Atenas Gutiérrez (MEX) and Oriana Bermudez-Luisiana Linares (VEN)

Pool D: Dana Roskic-Katarina Pantovic(CAN), Crismil Paniagua-Yari Cleto (DOM), Yeray Vidaurrazaga-María Ramírez (MEX) and Socorro López-Lolette Rodríguez (NCA)

Eight countries chasing ECVA Senior Beach honours

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CUL- DE- SAC, St Lucia, May 1, 2025: Eight countries, twenty- four teams all together will be toughing it out in the sand in the 2025 Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) Senior Beach Volleyball Championships here at the Cul de Sac Bay.

At stake is the coveted prize of champion, as twelve teams each are listed in both genders.

The St Lucia pair of Sheldon Descartes and Joseph Clercent, champions in 2023 and 2024, will be looking to make it three in succession, as Men’s winners, while Grenada’s Thornia Mitchell and Renisha Stafford, are confident of retaining the Women’s title, they champed last year.

The teams are divided in four Pools, with three teams stashed in each pool.

Men’s Play

Pool A St Lucia: Sheldon Descartes/ Joseph Clercent; Anguilla: Aiden Hazzard/ Da’ Qwan Frederick; Bermuda: Benjamin Barnett/ Sean Tucker

Pool B St Vincent and the Grenadines: Ronaldo Franklyn/ Shadron Delpesche; St Kitts and Nevis: Julian Bristol/ Jedediah Pencheon; Dominica: Mervin Mingo/ Bill Frederick

Pool C Antigua and Barbuda: Khaliq Joseph/ Cairon Davis; St Lucia: Peter Emmanuel/ Jentezen Joseph; Grenada: Zerick Walcott/ Kibose Hamilton

Pool D Dominica: Tyrel Robinson/ Yahn Florent; Grenada: Christopher Oxford/ Isaac Nelson; St Lucia: Didllo Albert/ Lindan Clarke

Women’s Play

Pool A St Lucia:  Denila Prospere/ Chenoa Evans; Anguilla: Lavesha Richardson/ Deandre Fleming; St Vincent and the Grenadines: Nikita Campbell/ Veronique Matthews

Pool B Grenada: Thornia Mitchell/ Renisha Stafford; Shajunee Gumbs/Shanicia Dyer; St Lucia: Tenayestlgni Joseph/ Clio Phillip

Pool C Dominica: Joeanna Pascal/ Zahidu Henry, St Lucia: Marie Therese St Clair/ Kurtrice Jules; Grenada: Teasis Jones/ Sienna Dominique

Pool D Bermuda: Hailey Moss/ Megan Hands; Antigua and Barbuda: Jassania Joseph/ Rayana Regis; St Lucia: Kerin Neptune/ Erica Gaspard

Twenty- one matches, twelve in Men’s play and nine among the Women’s pools, are carded for day one.

100 Days To Go: ASU 2025 Presents Its Medals

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ASUNCION, Paraguay, April 30, 2025.- In an emotional ceremony at the Ignacio A. Pane Municipal Theater in Asuncion, Paraguay, the medals for the II Junior Pan American Games were unveiled.

The medals, which were created inspired by the guarania, a musical expression that embodies the Paraguayan soul, have the score of Jejuí (first guarania) in their design.

As the sun set over the heart of the Mother of Cities, the iconic Ignacio A. Pane Municipal Theater welcomed guests to a special evening that celebrated culture, history, and sport. In a ceremony filled with symbolism, one of the most anticipated emblems of the Games was revealed: the official medal of the Junior Pan American Games Asunción 2025—a piece that honors Paraguay’s soul and identity.

During this symbolic evening, with words shared by Camilo Pérez López Moreira, President of the Paraguayan Olympic Committee and IOC member; Neven Illic, President of Panam Sports; and César Ramírez Caje, Minister of Sports, the most emblematic symbol of the event was officially unveiled: the medal of the Junior Pan American Games Asunción 2025.

Inspired by the guarania, a musical expression that embodies the Paraguayan soul, the medal was presented alongside an emotional reinterpretation of Jejuí, the first guarania composed by José Asunción Flores, the father of the genre.

With just 100 days to go before the most important youth sporting event of the continent, Asunción is preparing to welcome hundreds of young athletes who will chase Olympic glory and seal their dreams with the highest honor worn on their chest: the medal.

From Inspiration and Design to a Symbol of Continental Sport

One hundred years ago, in Asunción, a young José Asunción Flores, at just 21, composed a piece whose emotional depth and lyrical beauty would come to define the Paraguayan spirit. He translated the emotions of an entire people into song, immortalizing the Paraguayan soul in the form of the guarania. This legacy, now recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, was the starting point for designing the ASU2025 medal.

The Local Organizing Committee, in collaboration with biographer Antonio Pecci—who provided invaluable insights into Flores’ life—and with the brilliant work of María Victoria Sosa Zárate, Director of the Asunción Symphony Orchestra, who succeeded in visually translating the score of Jejuí—the first guarania—into the official design of the medal. After countless hours of research and design, the medal took shape with a minimalist aesthetic, deeply rooted in the cultural identity of Paraguay.

The front of the medal begins with the characteristic 6/8 tempo of the guarania and continues with the musical notes of Jejuí, engraved within the staff that circles most of the medal’s edge. On the back, the inscription reads: “Tribute to the Centennial of the Guarania: Jejuí.” This icon will accompany each athlete as a reminder that Asunción was a turning point on their path to glory—just as it was for the creator of the genre that represents us.

Jejuí x ASU2025

As part of this tribute, Jejuí was reinterpreted by the National Symphony Orchestra. This moving version was performed live during the gala, filling the Ignacio A. Pane Municipal Theater with its sound. A renewed rendition that conveys the strength and energy that will define the Junior Pan American Games Asunción 2025.

In total, 1,077 medals will be awarded at ASU2025: 333 gold, 333 silver, and 411 bronze.

The Junior Pan American Games will officially open in Asunción on August 9 and run through August 23, bringing together over 4,000 athletes from across the continent to make history.

Caguas One Win Away from the LVSF Championship

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SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, April 30, 2025.- The Criollas de Caguas earned their third victory over the Cangrejeras de Santurce, moving just one win away (3-1) from claiming the Kia Final Series title of the Women’s Volleyball Superior League (LVSF) of Puerto Rico.

Caguas won in straight sets, 3-0 (27-25, 25-18, 26-24).

With the visitors up two sets, both teams split the technical timeouts in the third set. Santurce led the first one 8-7, with Neira Ortiz performing effectively through the middle. Caguas took the second technical timeout at 16-15 thanks to an attacking error by Helena Grozer, whose hit from zone four got caught in the net.

Kath Bell of Criollas

Attacking from zone four, Santurce’s Andrea Rangel committed an error that gave the Criollas a three-point lead (18-15). Santurce responded with pressure, showing strong net play and defense. After trailing 21-24, they rallied with three consecutive points to tie the set and force extra points. However, their surge wasn’t enough to extend the match.

The Criollas earned set point at 25-24 when Sofía Victoria broke through the Cangrejeras’ block. On the next play, Temi Thomas Ailara sealed the win for Caguas with an attack from zone four.

Following the victory, Criollas libero Okiana Valle De Jesús said:

“This series isn’t over yet; we have to come out and play again on Friday. That’s our focus. It’s not over until the final point is played and the whistle blows.”

She revealed that Caguas’ key to success, winning nine straight sets so far, has been staying focused on the present:

“We’re not thinking about the future or the championship. We’re going game by game, point by point, trying to do our best and make adjustments in the moment to win the first set, then the second, and the third, and ultimately the match. Most of all, we hope to close the series in Caguas and enjoy it,” she concluded.

The top scorers for Caguas were Kath Bell with 18 points, followed by Temi Thomas Ailara with 15, and Kristin Lux with 11.

For Santurce, Tamara Otene led with 15 points, followed by Neira Ortiz with 12, and Kara McGhee with 10.

The series returns to Caguas this Friday at the Roger Mendoza Coliseum at 8:00 p.m.

Las Cangrejeras de Santurce are the defending champions.

FIVB hosts delegation from Orlando to explore strategic collaboration ahead of LA28

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LAUSANNE, Switzerland, April 30, 2025.- The FIVB welcomed a senior delegation from Orlando, Florida, to the Volleyball House in Lausanne for high-level discussions centered on strategic collaboration and the advancement of volleyball initiatives in the region. 

The Orlando delegation was led by Mayor Buddy Dyer (City of Orlando), Mayor Jerry Demings (Orange County) and Jason Siegel, President & Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Orlando Sports Commission. 

The visit began with a tour of the Volleyball House, followed by a formal presentation of the FIVB Strategic Vision 2032 by FIVB President Fabio Azevedo. This long-term framework is built on four key pillars: Professionalism, Integration, Empowerment, and Mass Participation. These principles are designed to ensure the continued global development of volleyball, with a focus on broad accessibility, growth and positive impact. 

During the visit, discussions were held on the potential hosting and activation opportunities in Orlando in the lead-up to the Olympic Games LA28. This follows a highly successful Olympic Games Paris 2024 for the USA in volleyball. The USA clinched the silver medal in the women’s competition and bronze in the men’s competition. 

The discussions today demonstrate the FIVB’s ongoing efforts to further elevate the profile of volleyball and amplify its reach and impact around the world.  

FIVB, Volleyball Foundation & KIIT-KISS strengthen partnership to empower youth through volleyball

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LAUSANNE, Switzerland, April 29, 2025.- FIVB President Fabio Azevedo and the FIVB Volleyball Foundation President Dr Ary Graça met with representatives from the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) and the Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS). Their meeting aimed to further deepen their growing collaboration aimed at transforming lives through volleyball and education. 

The KIIT and KISS delegation was led by Dr Achyuta Samanta, Founder of KIIT and KISS, and Dr Varun Suthra, the universities’ Director of International Relations. 

During the meeting, both parties discussed a wide range of exciting initiatives, including further collaboration opportunities through volleyball events, expanded coach education opportunities and beach volleyball coaching support for the universities. Discussions also included a prospective FIVB visit to a KIIT-KISS Centre of Excellence, scholarship opportunities for talented athletes and joint celebrations for World Volleyball Day, which was recently confirmed by the FIVB Executive Board as 7 July.  

This meeting builds upon the landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in October 2024 between the FIVB Volleyball Foundation, KIIT and KISS. The agreement marked a new chapter in the organization’s shared mission to drive youth participation in volleyball and open pathways for education, empowerment and development through sport. 

The strength of this partnership was demonstrated during the KISS Volleyball Foundation Festival in Bhubaneswar, India, in October 2024 which set a Guinness World Record for the most players in a volleyball exhibition match, bringing together 430 participants. The festival welcomed more than 40,000 children, including 5,000 young volleyball players, in a powerful celebration of the sport’s ability to unite and inspire. 

Through the FIVB’s Strategic Vision 2032, the FIVB is committed to creating more opportunities for young people through volleyball, and the collaboration with KIIT and KISS helps to make volleyball more accessible, impactful and a force for positive societal change worldwide. 

Costa Rica Women and El Salvador Men Dominate the Central American U23 Beach Volleyball Championship

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MANAGUA, Nicaragua, April 27, 2025.- Laura Molina/Aliza Aguilar from Costa Rica and twins Yoel and Christopher Guardado from El Salvador captured the titles at the inaugural Central American U23 Beach Volleyball Championship.

Molina/Aguilar won a hard-fought final 2-1 (21-14, 7-21, 15-11) against Nicaragua’s Nahima Silva/Norma Brenes, who forced a third set with a gritty performance in the second. In the end, the Costa Ricans sealed the victory thanks to their effective serving and sharp line shots.

In the battle for third place, El Salvador’s Karla Tovar/Daniela Vigil defeated Honduras’ Shanna Rivera/Zoe Ebanks 2-0 (21-14, 21-12).

For fifth place, Panama’s Analia Díaz/Krisleen Gonzalez beat Guatemala’s Joselyn F. López/Joselyn A. López 2-0 (21-19, 21-9).

Women Podium

ALBUM DE FOTOS EN FLICKR

In the men’s competition, Salvadoran twins Christopher and Yoel Guardado maintained their high level, finishing the tournament undefeated by beating Costa Rica’s Edwin Delgado/Juan Delgado 2-0 (21-11, 21-14) in the final.

The Guardado twins showed great rhythm and preparation, progressing from a ninth-place finish in 2019 to two silver medals in previous tournaments, and finally claiming the title in 2025.

Meanwhile, Nicaragua’s Cristopher Cascante/Jesy Umaña won the bronze medal by defeating Panama’s José Ureña/Víctor Pérez 2-0 (21-16, 21-13).

For fifth place, Guatemala’s Daniel Delgado/Javier Lucero defeated Honduras’ Javier Mongue/Miguel Marín 2-0 (21-14, 21-16).

Men Podium

Results Day 3

Women

Molina/Aguilar CRC 2-1 (19-21, 21-14, 16-14) Silva/Brenes NCA

Lopez/Lopez GUA 2-1 (21-17, 20-22, 15-8) Diaz/González PAN

Tovar/Vigil ESA 2-1 (19-21, 21-18, 15-13) Rivera/Ebanks

Third Place

Tovar/Vigil ESA 2-0 (21-14, 21-12) Rivera/Ebanks

Gold Medal

Molina/Aguilar CRC 2-1 (21-14, 7-21, 15-11) Silva/Brenes NCA

Men

Cascante/Umaña NCA 0-2 (17-21, 14-21) Guardado/Guardado ESA

Delgado/Lucero GUA 0-2 (12-21, 11-21) Ureña/Pérez PAN

Delgado/Delgado CRC 2-0 (21-8, 21-5) Mongue/Marin HON

Third Place

Cascante/ Umaña NCA 2-0 (21-16, 21-13) Ureña/Pérez PAN

Gold Medal

Guardado/Guardado ESA 2-0 (21-11, 21-14) Delgado/Delgado CRC

Nicaragua Women and Costa Rica Men Crowned U21 Beach Volleyball Champions

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MANAGUA, Nicaragua, April 27, 2025.- Yuliana Chavez/Elia Resau from Nicaragua and Julián Araya/Stanley Grant from Costa Rica captured the titles at the XV Central American U21 Beach Volleyball Championship.

Yuliana and Elia clinched the crown by defeating Costa Rica’s Mariana Fallas/Sofia Vega 2-0 (21-13, 21-17).

The Nicaraguan duo finished second in the round-robin phase, while Fallas/Vega went undefeated in the preliminary round. However, in the final, Chavez/Resau took control from the start with strong serving and solid defense. They managed to maintain a slight edge in the second set to secure the championship.

Meanwhile, Keisy Janeth/Dayanaris Ríos from Panama earned the bronze medal by winning a hard-fought 2-1 (21-17, 15-21, 15-13) battle against Fátima Rendón/Devora Medina from El Salvador.

Women Podium

For fifth place, Honduras’ Valery Rodríguez/Ruth Villegas defeated Guatemala’s Andrea Grijalva/Danna Aguilar 2-0 (21-8, 21-8).

ALBUM DE FOTOS EN FLICKR

In the men’s final, Costa Rica’s Julián Araya/Stanley Grant claimed the championship by defeating Panama’s Víctor Aráuz/Adamit del Cid 2-0 (21-15, 21-13).

Araya/Grant remained unbeaten throughout the regular round and maintained their high level in the final, giving the Panamanians little room to maneuver. Panama tried everything, but Costa Rica’s solid defense and precise touches proved too strong.

Nicaragua’s Justin Barrios/Deyner López secured the bronze medal by defeating El Salvador’s Rafael Vargas/Fernando Ortiz 2-0 (21-16, 21-13).

Men Podium

For fifth place, Honduras’ Jairo Gálvez/Isaac Méndez defeated Guatemala’s Fredy Luna/Robin Oliva 2-1 (21-13, 18-21, 15-11).

Day’s Results

Women

Fallas/Vega CRC 2-0 (21-14, 21-3) Grijalva/Aguilar GUA

Chavez/Resau NCA 2-1 (15-21, 21-6, 15-9) Janeth/Ríos PAN

Rendon/Medina ESA 2-0 (21-7, 21-14) Rodriguez/Villegas HON

Bronze

Rendón/Medina ESA 1-2 (17-21, 21-15, 13-15) Janeth/ Ríos PAN

Final

Fallas/Vega CRC 0-2 (13-21, 17-21) Chavez/Resau NCA

Men

Araya/Grant CRC 2-0 (21-12, 21-9) Vargas/Ortiz ESA

Luna/Oliva GUA 0-2 (18-21, 14-21) Aráuz/ Cid PAN

Barrios/López NCA 2-0 (21-11, 21-7) Galvez/Méndez HON

Bronze

Barrios/López NCA2-0 (21-16, 21-13) Vargas/Ortiz ESA

Oro

Araya/Grant CRC 2-0 (21-15, 21-13) Aráuz/Cid PAN

Criollas defeat Cangrejeras in Game 3 of the LVSF Finals

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CAGUAS, Puerto Rico, April 27, 2025.- The Criollas de Caguas defeated the defending champions, the Cangrejeras de Santurce, 3-0 (25-22, 25-21, 25-23) in the third match of the KIA Final Series of the Women’s Volleyball Superior League (LVSF).

With a two-set lead, the Criollas opened the third set with a 4-0 run, including two service aces. Two consecutive attacks by Temi Thomas-Ailara, one from zone four to zone four, and another to zone one, gave the Criollas the first technical timeout with an 8-4 lead. They also reached the second technical timeout with the same four-point advantage, 16-12, thanks to an attack error by Helena Grozer of the Cangrejeras.

A kill by Diana Reyes pushed Caguas ahead by five points (18-13), prompting Santurce’s coach Pascual Saurin to call his second timeout of the set.

Temi Thomas Ailara of Caguas

A surge from Santurce closed the gap (19-20) and later (23-24), but their hopes ended there, under the guidance of Spaniard Pascual Saurin and Puerto Rican Javier Gaspar.

Kristin Lux attacked from zone four, breaking through the Cangrejeras’ block to seal the victory and give Caguas a 2-1 lead in the series.

The series will pause until Wednesday, April 30, when the Cangrejeras will host Caguas at the Roberto Clemente Coliseum starting at 8:12 p.m.

Caguas’ offense once again leaned on their three imports, with Kristin Lux leading the way with 14 points, followed by Kath Bell with 12, and Temi Thomas-Ailara with 11.

For the Cangrejeras, Helena Grozer scored 14 points, Kara McGhee contributed 12, and Neira Ortiz added 11.

After the match, Cangrejeras assistant coach Javier Gaspar said:

“It’s sad because we couldn’t get it done. The effort was there; we just didn’t execute. Credit must be given to Caguas; they made the necessary adjustments and were consistent, particularly in K-2, where we were not, and that was the difference in these two games here in Caguas.”

Regarding the return to the Roberto Clemente Coliseum, Gaspar added:

“We’ll meet to work on a few things, prepare for the next match, defend our home court, and even the series.”

Meanwhile, Caguas assistant coach Juan Albarrán commented:

“We have done a good job with our service. I think we have caused some positive things with that skill, and our reception, unlike that first match in Santurce, has remained quite stable, especially Okiana, who has maintained over 70% in reception. So, reception has kept us in it and has allowed us to distribute the offense better. We defended our home court, which was our goal for these two matches.”

Criollas tie the Kia Final Series with straight-sets victory over Cangrejeras

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CAGUAS, Puerto Rico, April 26, 2025. – The Criollas de Caguas tied the KIA Final Series of the Women’s Superior Volleyball League (LVSF) by defeating the Cangrejeras de Santurce 3-0 (25-22, 25-22, 25-17) at home, the Roger Mendoza Coliseum.

With a two-set lead, the Criollas took the first technical timeout of the third set 8-5 and pulled ahead 13-9 after an attack error by Kara McGhee, prompting Spanish head coach Pascual Saurín to call his first timeout.

The home team maintained a stable passing and took the second technical timeout 16-11 following another attack error by the Cangrejeras.

Kath Bell attacked from the back row to extend the lead, and Diana Reyes served an ace that pushed Caguas ahead 18-12, a gap from which Santurce never recovered.

The Criollas reached set point at 24-16 with an effective attack from Kristin Lux on the outside (zone 4). After one point from Santurce, Lux struck again to seal the victory with another precise attack.

The series will continue Sunday at the same venue, starting at 7:00 p.m.

Caguas celebrated

After the match, Cangrejeras head coach Pascual Saurín said:

“You never expect to lose. I always come to play expecting to win. What I knew was that it would be difficult and tough, this is going to be the final series: two strong teams, two evenly matched teams, and the home-court advantage will likely play a big role. We knew today would have an atmosphere like this. Caguas came out to give it their all, and we weren’t comfortable on the court. We tried, but in the end, it just didn’t happen for us.”

Regarding what the Cangrejeras did successfully in the first match but not in this second one, the Spanish coach added:

“It’s simply about having the right sensations. In the first match, we blocked a lot. Today, our blocking wasn’t effective, mainly because we didn’t serve well. Our serving was very weak, very soft, and they, on the other hand, served very well and felt comfortable. They blocked us quite a bit. Tomorrow is another match. First, we need to recover well, and we’ll surely see a different match than what we saw today.”

Caguas head coach Juan Carlos Núñez commented:

“We didn’t come looking for a 3-0 sweep; we just came to do what we had to do: defend our home court. We needed to improve a lot from the way we played the first day because statistically, nothing worked for us. We had to find a way to serve better, be more effective at the net, and offensively match up with them. Things worked out for us today. We matched their energy through our defense, and it turned out pretty well.”

As for the plans for tomorrow’s match, Núñez concluded:

“The series is now tied. We’re heading into a third match, and we’ll keep doing what we have to do: defend our home court.”

The Criollas’ offense was well distributed among their three foreign players. Kath Bell led the team with 17 points (15 kills and 2 blocks), followed by Kristin Lux with 12 points and Temi Thomas-Ailara with 11.


For Santurce, Tamara Otene was the only player in double digits with 13 points (12 kills and 1 block).

Caguas outperformed Santurce in attacks (42-35), blocks (10-7), aces (2-0), and digs (58-57). Santurce led in receptions (48-28) and assists (26-19).

Costa Rica with Two Finalists at the U21 Central American Beach Volleyball Championship

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MANAGUA, Nicaragua, April 26, 2025.- Costa Rica secured its place in both the women’s and men’s finals at the 15th Under 21 Central American Beach Volleyball Championship, awaiting their opponents as the round-robin phase still needs to be completed.

In the women’s competition, María Fallas/Sofia Vega defeated Nicaragua and El Salvador, reaching four victories with no losses. In second place are Panama’s Keisy Janeth/Dayanaris Ríos with a 3-1 record, after defeating Fátima Rendón/Devora Medina of El Salvador and Valery Rodríguez/Ruth Villegas of Honduras.

The Salvadoran duo holds a 2-2 record, the same as Nicaragua’s Yuliana Chavez/Elia Resau, who fell to Costa Rica but defeated Guatemala’s Andrea Grijalva/Danna Aguilar.

Sofia Vega CRC

On Sunday, Fallas/Vega (CRC) will face Grijalva/Aguilar (GUA), while Chavez/Resau (NCA) will play against Janeth/Ríos (PAN). Rendón/Medina (ESA) will meet Rodríguez/Villegas (HON), with only one available spot remaining for three teams.

Album de fotos en Flickr

In the men’s division, Costa Rica’s Julián Araya/Stanley Grant have a perfect 4-0 record. Panama’s Victor Araúz/Adamit Del Cid follow at 3-1; Nicaragua’s Justin Barrios/Deyner López and El Salvador’s Rafael Vargas/Fernando Ortiz both sit at 2-2.

Honduras’ Jairo Gálvez/Isaac Méndez have a 1-3 record, while Guatemala’s Fredy Luna/Robin Oliva remain winless in four matches.

Araya/Grant defeated Luna/Oliva and later overcame Barrios/López of Nicaragua. Araúz/Cid claimed a 2-1 victory over Barrios/López and then defeated Gálvez/Méndez.

On Sunday, Araya/Grant (CRC) will face El Salvador’s Vargas/Ortiz. Luna/Oliva (GUA) will play Araúz/Cid (PAN), and the preliminary round will conclude with Barrios/López (NCA) facing Gálvez/Méndez (HON). These matches will determine who earns the other spot in the final against Costa Rica.

Day 2 Results

Women

Fallas/Vega CRC 2-1 (21-17, 16-21, 19-17) Chavez/Resau NCA

Janeth/Ríos PAN 2-0 (21-19, 21-14) Rendon/Medina ESA

Rodriguez/Villegas HON 1-2 (21-19, 18-21, 14-16) Grijalva/Aguilar PAN

Fallas/Vega CRC 2-0 (21-15, 21-19) Rendón/Medina ESA

Janeth/Ríos PAN 2-0 (21-13, 21-15) Rodriguez/Villegas HON

Chavez/Resau NCA 2-1 (19-21, 21-5, 15-7) Grijalva/Aguilar GUA

Men

Araya/Grant CRC 2-0 (21-8, 21-8) Luna/Oliva GUA

Aráuz/Cid PAN 2-1 (21-19, 7-21, 15-6) Barrios/López NCA

Luna/Oliva GUA 0-2 (17-21, 16-21) Vargas/Ortiz ESA

Arauz/Cid PAN 2-0 (21-16, 21-13) Galvez/Mendez HON

Araya/Grant CRC 2-0 (21-12, 24-22) Barrios/Lopez NCA

Galvez/Mendez HON 0-2 (14-21, 16-21) Vargas/Ortiz ESA

Only One Spot Left to Be Decided for the U23 Central American Finals

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MANAGUA, Nicaragua, April 26, 2025.- Nicaragua and Costa Rica will play for the women’s title at the inaugural U23 Central American Beach Volleyball Championship, while in the men’s division, El Salvador has already secured a spot in the final, and Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama are vying for the other ticket.

Costa Rica’s Laura Molina/Aliza Aguilar completed four victories by defeating El Salvador and Guatemala. Nicaragua’s Nahima Silva/Norma Brenes also reached four wins after defeating Panama and El Salvador.

On Sunday morning, the two teams will face each other to determine the final preliminary round standings, but no other team can catch up to their 4-0 records.

Honduras’ Shanna Rivera/Zoe Ebanks will face El Salvador’s Karla Tovar/Daniela Vigil, while Guatemala’s Joselyn F. López/Joselyn A. López will play against Panama’s Analia Díaz/Krisleen Gonzalez to complete the preliminary round schedule.

Christopher Guardado ESA

The matches for the final positions will start at two o’clock in the afternoon.

Link del album de fotos en Flickr

In the men’s division, El Salvador’s twins Cristopher and Yoel Guardado have a 4-0 record after defeating Panama and Costa Rica, securing their place in the final. Nicaragua’s Cristopher Cascante/Jesy Umaña defeated Costa Rica’s Edwin and Juan Delgado as well as Guatemala’s Daniel Delgado/Javier Lucero, finishing with a 3-1 record.

Nicaragua will face El Salvador on Sunday, while Costa Rica and Panama’s José Ureña/Víctor Pérez will play a decisive match, both teams currently holding a 2-2 record. The winner will earn the second spot in the final.

Honduras’ Javier Mongue/Miguel Marín will face Guatemala’s Delgado/Lucero duo in the final match of the round-robin phase.

Day 2 Results

Women

Molina/Aguilar CRC 2-1 (19-21, 21-18, 15-11) Tovar/Vigil ESA

Rivera/Ebanks HON 2-0 (23-21, 21-14) López/López GUA

Diaz/González PAN 0-2 (13-21, 13-21) Silva/Brenes NCA

Molina/Aguilar CRC 2-0 (21-17, 21-13) López/López GUA

Tovar/Vigil ESA 0-2 (7-21, 8-21) Silva/Brenes NCA

Rivera/Ebanks HON 2-1 (21-23, 21-17, 15-10) Diaz/González PAN

Men

Ureña/Pérez PAN 0-2 (11-21, 10-21) Guardado/Guardado ESA

Mongue/Marín HON 0-2 (11-21, 11-21) Delgado/Lucero GUA

Cascante/Umaña NCA 2-0 (21-17, 24-22) Delgado/Delgado CRC

Mongue/Marin HON 0-2 (7-21, 7-21) Ureña/Perez PAN

Delgado/Delgado CRC 0-2 (14-21, 18-21) Guardado/Guardado ESA

Cascante/Umaña NCA 2-0 (21-13, 21-10) Delgado/Lucero GUA

Three Countries Undefeated at the U23 Central American Beach Volleyball Championship

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MANAGUA, Nicaragua, April 25, 2025.- Teams from Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and El Salvador each secured two victories on the opening day of the first U23 Central American Beach Volleyball Championship.

Nicaragua’s Nahima Silva and Norma Brenes earned a 2-0 (21-7, 21-15) win over Honduras’ Shanna Rivera and Zoe Ebanks, then followed up with another 2-0 victory (21-13, 21-15) against Guatemala’s Joselyn F. López and Joselyn A. López.

Costa Rica’s Laura Molina and Aliza Aguilar started strong with a 2-0 (21-12, 21-14) win  over Panama’s Analia Díaz and Krisleen González, then finished the day with another 2-0 result (21-13, 21-10) against Rivera/Ebanks.

El Salvador’s Karla Tovar and Daniela Vigil did their part, also collecting two wins. They first defeated López/López 2-0 (21-13, 21-12), then topped Díaz/González 2-0 (21-14, 21-12).

In the men’s division, Costa Rica’s Edwin and Juan Delgado began with a dominant 2-0 victory (21-12, 21-8) over Guatemala’s Daniel Delgado and Javier Lucero, then completed the day undefeated by beating Panama’s José Ureña and Víctor Pérez 2-0 (21-17, 21-18).

Ureña and Pérez had previously defeated Nicaragua’s Cristopher Cascante and Jesy Umaña 2-0 (21-12, 22-20).

El Salvador’s Guardado twins, Cristopher and Yoel, won 2-0 (21-13, 21-12) over Honduras’ Javier Mongue and Miguel Marín, and later triumphed 2-0 (21-11, 21-18) against Delgado/Lucero of Guatemala.

Galería de imágenes en Flickr

This Saturday, each pair will play two matches in the round-robin phase, and on Sunday, the finalists and bronze medal contenders will be determined.

Men’s Results Day 1

Delgado/Lucero GUA 0-2 (12-21, 8-21) Delgado/Delgado  CRC

Guardado/Guardado ESA 2-0 (21-13, 21-12) Mongue/Marin HON

Cascante/Umaña NCA 0-2 (12-21, 20-22) Ureña/Perez PAN

Guardado/Guardado ESA 2-0 (21-11, 21-18) Delgado/Lucero GUA

Ureña/Perez PAN 0-2 (17-21, 18-21) Delgado/Delgado CRC

Cascante/Umaña NCA 2-0 (21-10, 21-4) Mongue/Marín HON

Women’s Resutls Day 1

Molina/Aguilar CRC 2-0 (21-12, 21-14) Díaz/González PAN

Silva/Brenes NCA 2-0 (21-7, 21-15) Rivera/Ebanks HON

López/López GUA 0-2 (13-21, 12-21) Tovar/Vigil ESA

Molina/Aguilar CRC 2-0 (21-13, 21-10) Rivera/Ebanks HON
Diaz/Gonzalez PAN 0-2 (14-21, 12-21) Tovar/Vigil ESA

Silva/Brenes NCA 2-0 (21-13, 21-5) López/López   GUA

Costa Rica, El Salvador, and Nicaragua Strong at U21 Central American Championship

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MANAGUA, Nicaragua, April 25, 2025.- Costa Rica’s Mariana Fallas and Sofía Vega got off to a strong start at the 15th Central American U21 Women’s Beach Volleyball Championship, winning both of their matches on opening day at Paseo Xolotlán in Managua.

Fallas/Vega opened with a 2-0 (21-10, 21-11) victory over Honduras’ Valery Rodríguez and Ruth Villegas. In the afternoon, the Costa Rican duo defeated Panama’s Keisy Janeth and Dayanaris Ríos 2-0 (21-10, 21-14).

Another team that started strong was El Salvador’s Fátima Rendón and Devora Molina, who earned a hard-fought and important three-set win (21-17, 17-21, 16-14) against local favorites Yuliana Chávez and Elia Resau.

Panama’s Janeth/Ríos duo claimed a 2-0 (21-10, 21-19) victory over Andrea Grijalva and Danna Aguilar of Guatemala, while Chávez/Resau bounced back with a 2-0 (21-9, 21-10) win against Rodríguez/Villegas of Honduras.

In the men’s division, Costa Rica’s Julián Araya and Stanley Grant recorded two wins; first a dominant 2-0 (21-11, 21-5) result against Honduras’ Jairo Gálvez and Isaac Méndez, followed by another 2-0 (21-12, 21-11) victory over Panama’s Víctor Aráuz and Adamit Del Cid.

Another pair with two wins was Nicaragua’s Justin Barrios and Deyner López, who defeated Guatemala’s Fredy Luna and Robin Oliva 2-0 (21-10, 21-17), then closed the day with a 2-0 (21-15, 21-19) win over Rafael Vargas and Fernando Ortiz of El Salvador.

Album de fotos en Flickr

This Saturday, all duos will play two more matches, setting up a potentially decisive match on Sunday morning that could determine who advances to the final, as the top two teams will play for the championship.

Women’s Results Day 1

Fallas/Vega CRC 2-0 (21-10, 21-11) Rodríguez/Villegas HON

Grijalva/Aguilar GUA 0-2 (10-21, 19-21) Janeth/Ríos PAN

Rendón/Medina ESA 2-1 (21-17, 17-21, 16-14) Chavez/Resau NCA

Fallas/Vega CRC 2-0 (21-10, 21-14) Janeth/Ríos PAN

Grijalva/Aguilar GUA 0-2 (12-21, 6-21) Rendón/Medina ESA

Rodríguez/Villegas HON 0-2 (9-21, 10-21) Chavez/Resau NCA

Men’s Results Day 1

Araya/Grant CRC 2-0 (21-11, 21-5)  Galvez/Mendez HON            

Vargas/Ortiz ESA 0-2 (18-21, 15-21) Araúz/Cid PAN                     

Barrios/Lopez NCA 2-0 (21-10, 21-17)  Luna/Oliva GUA              

Araya/Grant CRC 2-0 (21-12, 21-11) Araúz/Cid PAN                                 

Galvez/Mendez HON 2-1 (21-17, 16-21, 17-15) Luna/Oliva GUA Vargas/Ortiz ESA 0-2 (15-21, 19-21) Barrios/Lopez NCA  

In Pursuit of the First U23 Central American Beach Volleyball Title

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MANAGUA, Nicaragua, April 24, 2025.– A key link between the youth and senior categories is what the inaugural AFECAVOL U23 Central American Beach Volleyball Championship represents, which began this Thursday with preliminary inquiries.

This will be the first time the Under 23 category is contested, unlike the U21 division which began in 2008. The tournament will serve as a platform for athletes aiming to make the leap to the senior level in both Central American and NORCECA events.

ALBUM FLICKR ENTREVISTA PRELIMINAR

Duos from Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras, and Panama are set to compete for the first-ever title in this category. Many of the players have progressed through the underage divisions and bring valuable experience to the tournament.

Notable male competitors include El Salvador’s twin brothers Yoel and Cristopher Guardado, silver medalists at the last U21 tournament in Panama; Nicaragua’s Cristopher Cascante and Jesy Umaña; and Guatemala’s Daniel Delgado and Javier Lucero.

On the women’s side, Costa Rica’s Laura Molina and Aliza Aguilar, bronze medalists at the last U21 event, are strong contenders. Also competing are Karla Tovar and Daniela Vigil from El Salvador, and local players Nahima Silva and Norma Brenes.

After the round-robin preliminary phase, the top two teams will face off in the final, while the third and fourth place teams will compete for the bronze medal.

Matches will be held at the Paseo Xolotlán courts in Managua, a venue that has hosted several major events such as the 2017 Central American Games and multiple stages of the NORCECA Tour, starting Friday at 8:30 AM.

Participating Duos

Women
Laura Molina / Aliza Aguilar (CRC)
Joselyn F. López / Joselyn A. López (GUA)
Shanna Rivera / Zoe Ebanks (HON)
Nahima Silva / Norma Brenes (NCA)
Analia Díaz / Krisleen González (PAN)
Karla Tovar / Daniela Vigil (ESA)

Men
Edwin Delgado / Juan Delgado (CRC)
Daniel Delgado / Javier Lucero (GUA)
Javier Mongue / Miguel Marín (HON)
Cristopher Cascante / Jesy Umaña (NCA)
José Ureña / Víctor Pérez (PAN)
Yoel Guardado / Cristopher Guardado (ESA)

Great Rivalry in the U21 Central American Beach Volleyball Championship

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MANAGUA, Nicaragua, April 24, 2025.- The XV AFECAVOL U21 Central American Beach Volleyball Championship is set to begin this Friday, following the conclusion of team registration and uniform presentations.

Six Central American countries have confirmed their participation, each with one pair per gender, competing for the regional title in a tournament that began in 2008.

ALBUM FLICKR ENTREVISTA PRELIMINAR

Costa Rica is the defending women’s champion, though Guatemala holds the most titles overall with eight. Costa Rica has been crowned champion three times, Nicaragua twice, and El Salvador once.

In the men’s division, Nicaragua has claimed the top spot on the podium seven times, followed by Guatemala with four and Costa Rica with three, including the most recent edition held in Panama in 2022.

Costa Rica will be represented by María Fallas and Sofía Vega, the latter a bronze medalist three years ago, who will face tough competition from experienced players such as Fátima Rendón and Devora Medina of El Salvador, as well as home favorites Yuliana Chávez and Elia Resau.

In the men’s bracket, Costa Rica features Julián Araya, champion in the previous edition in Panama, this time partnered with Stanley Grant. Their rivals include Rafael Vargas and Fernando Ortiz from El Salvador, local duo Justin Barrios and Deyner López, and a promising Panamanian pair in Víctor Aráuz and Adamit Del Cid.

Matches will take place at the Paseo Xolotlán courts in Managua, starting Friday at 8:30 AM and concluding on Sunday.

The tournament will follow a round-robin format in the first phase, with the top two teams advancing to the final, which will be played on Sunday afternoon.

Participating Duos

Women
Mariana Fallas / Sofía Vega (CRC)
Fátima Rendón / Devora Medina (ESA)
Andrea Grijalva / Danna Aguilar (GUA)
Valery Rodríguez / Ruth Villegas (HON)
Yuliana Chávez / Ella Resau (NCA)
Keisy Janeth / Dayanaris Ríos (PAN)

Men
Julián Araya / Stanley Grant (CRC)
Rafael Vargas / Fernando Ortiz (ESA)
Fredy Luna / Robin Oliva (GUA)
Jairo Gálvez / Isaac Méndez (HON)
Justin Barrios / Deyner López (NCA)
Víctor Aráuz / Adamit Del Cid (PAN)

Santurce Strikes First in the KIA LVSF Grand Final

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SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, April 24, 2025.- The defending champions, Cangrejeras de Santurce, capitalized on their home-court advantage at the Roberto Clemente Coliseum to take the opening match of the KIA Final Series of the Women’s Volleyball Superior League (LVSF), edging out the Criollas de Caguas in an exciting five-set battle (23-25, 25-13, 25-20, 24-26, 15-7).

Holding a 2-1 set lead, the home team took the first technical timeout of the fourth set 8-4 after a block by Kara McGhee on Alba Hernández. Caguas responded with a 12-7 run and clinched the second technical timeout by a narrow margin following a service error from Santurce.

Both teams continued in a fierce back-and-forth, testing each other’s serve reception. A deflected attack by Temi Thomas Ailara gave Santurce a two-point edge at 21-19. However, the Criollas regrouped, tied the set at 22 after an attack error by Andrea Rangel, and snatched the set 26-24 thanks to an ace by Thomas and a clean finish from Kath Bell.

Andrea Rangel of Cangrejeras

In the fifth and deciding set, Santurce jumped ahead 6-3 and reached the side switch with an 8-4 lead, boosted by a service ace from Tamara Otene. Caguas was unable to recover.

Following the win, Cangrejeras captain Débora Seilhamer stated:

“We knew it was going to be an extremely tough game. We were prepared to go to the full five sets. Obviously, it’s going to be a hard-fought series from start to finish.”

The series now moves to Caguas at the Roger Mendoza court for back-to-back matches on Saturday and Sunday. About this, the veteran Seilhamer added:

“We need to prepare physically for that. Caguas has a deep bench, so they can rotate players more. We need to manage ourselves better, take care of our bodies, and try to steal one or two games in Caguas.”

Criollas captain Raymarielys Santos commented:

“We must keep working. Every night there will be a battle, so we must continue improving in every area. I believe the next practice will be very important. We need to keep studying Santurce and improve our serving. It’s going to be a long series, and we have to keep going.”

On offense for Santurce, standouts included Tamara Otene with 27 points, Helena Grozer with 20, Andrea Rangel with 18, and Kara McGhee with 15.

For Caguas, Temi Thomas Ailara led with 21 points, followed by Kristin Lux with 12 and Kath Bell with 11.

Santurce dominated the stats: 64-51 in attacks, 17-13 in blocks, 9-3 in service aces, 119-110 in digs, 48-40 in receptions, and 41-25 in assists.

The series is a best-of-seven; the first team to win four games will be crowned champion.

2025 NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour Kicks Off in Varadero

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VARADERO, Cuba, April 25, 2025.- The highly anticipated 2025 season of the NORCECA Beach Volleyball Continental Tour kicks off in the paradise destination of Varadero, Cuba, marking the beginning of a circuit that promises excitement, a high level of competition, and valuable points toward the NORCECA and FIVB rankings.

This year, the prestigious NORCECA Tour calendar includes 13 stops, reinforcing its importance in the development of beach volleyball across North, Central America, and the Caribbean. Varadero, a traditional tour stop since 2011, will play an even more prominent role in 2025 by hosting two stages: the tour’s opening event and the grand finale, scheduled for October.

Jorge Luis Alayo Cuba

The tour’s first stop features athletes from fourteen countries, with 18 men’s teams and 15 women’s teams registered.

The 2025 NORCECA Tour awards important points for both the continental and world rankings. Additionally, it marks the beginning of the qualification process for the 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games in Santo Domingo, adding an extra level of motivation for the participating teams.

Specifically, regarding the 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games, Colombia and Venezuela must secure their qualification through the NORCECA Tour, which means both countries will be competing in several stops of the circuit.

As part of its commitment to developing young talent, the season will also feature two U23 events, which will serve as preparation tournaments for the Junior Pan American Games in Asunción.

With this Beach Continental Tour, NORCECA reaffirms its mission to promote sporting excellence, provide competitive growth opportunities for regional athletes, and bring the excitement of beach volleyball to beautiful and iconic venues like Varadero.

Historic First Meeting of the NORCECA Athletes’ Commission: “Athletes to the Top of the Podium”

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SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, April 24, 2025.- In an unprecedented step for the development of volleyball in the region, the NORCECA Confederation held the first official meeting of its Athletes’ Commission, reaffirming its commitment to the well-being, development, and participation of athletes both on and off the court.

The session, held virtually, followed the format adopted by other NORCECA working commissions and marked a significant step toward integrating athletes’ voices into strategic decision-making processes.

In his opening remarks, NORCECA President Cristóbal Marte Hoffiz emphasized that this commission was created with athletes in mind. “We are very excited to have you on board. This is the first meeting in the history of the Athletes’ Commission, which creation represents a major step forward in NORCECA’s development. The main goal is to preserve the well-being of athletes, because without them, we wouldn’t be here.”

Cuban volleyball legend and Commission President Mireya Luis gave a moving address, highlighting the importance of this new body. “This is a very important commission. NORCECA deserves for us, as athletes, to get involved. We are at a high level and must take on a major role by providing support to both active and retired athletes.”

The commission will focus on specific objectives: ensuring the overall well-being of athletes, supporting their transition to professional life after their sporting careers, protecting their rights, strengthening ties with their communities, and promoting ongoing training and education.

During the session, innovative proposals were discussed, such as a mentoring program to guide athletes seeking to enter professional sports, and training initiatives for female coaches, following the FIVB’s decision requiring that each women’s team competing in official tournaments include at least one woman on its staff.

Félix Sabio, President of AFECAVOL, highlighted that the Central American association was the first in the region to establish an athletes’ commission. “During the pandemic, there was a need to listen to and involve athletes in the process of returning to sports activity. This approach is aligned with the IOC’s strategy and should be embraced by national federations. NORCECA is at the forefront and must build a strong commission with renowned and visionary athletes.”

Mushtaque Mohammed, NORCECA Vice President and President of the Development Commissions of both NORCECA and the FIVB, presented a historical overview of NORCECA. He also emphasized the importance of preparing athletes for retirement and praised NORCECA’s credibility in development matters, highlighting the Development Center in Santo Domingo as one of the most recognized in the world.

Dr. Víctor Figueroa, President of the Medical Commission, briefly outlined the courses available to athletes on topics such as anti-doping, and physical and mental health.

Professor Nelson Ramírez, Director of the NORCECA-FIVB Regional Volleyball Development Center in Santo Domingo, emphasized the center’s role in training coaches, referees, and technical personnel, as well as motivating athletes to remain involved in the sport through courses and seminars.

Key areas from the FIVB Strategic Vision 2024–2032 were also outlined, focusing on the global growth of volleyball and ensuring that athletes are supported and empowered. Among them was the Volleyball Foundation, presented by Mireya Luis.

At the conclusion of the session, Cristóbal Marte expressed his satisfaction with the success of this inaugural meeting, marking the beginning of a new chapter in NORCECA volleyball, where athletes will play leading roles not only in competition but also in the sport’s governance and evolution.

With her trademark passion, Mireya Luis closed the session with the inspiring phrase: “Athletes to the Top of the Podium.”

ECVA Senior Beach Volleyball Championship Set for Saint Lucia

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CUL DE SAC, Saint Lucia, April 21, 2025. – From May 2nd to 4th, 2025, Saint Lucia will host some of the Caribbean’s most talented senior beach volleyball athletes as the island welcomes the Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) Senior Beach Volleyball Championship.

Senior male and female teams from Saint Lucia, Grenada, Dominica, Antigua, Bermuda, St. Vincent, Anguilla, and St. Kitts will compete for top honours and the coveted ECVA Championship title.

As an officially calendarized NORCECA event, this championship offers athletes from eight ECVA member islands a platform to compete at the highest regional level, supporting athletic excellence and personal development.

All eyes will be on Saint Lucia’s Joseph Clercent and Sheldon Descartes, the reigning champions who have captured the title in 2023 and 2024. The local favourites want to make history with a three-peat on home sand and will be the team to beat.

ECVA is confident that the tournament will be a celebration of skill, passion, and sportsmanship, uniting experienced players and emerging talent in an exciting beach volleyball showcase.

The event is made possible through the generous support of its sponsors, including NORCECA, ECVA, the Ministry of Youth Development & Sports, the Saint Lucia Olympic Committee, the National Lotteries Authority, Buckeye and Co Williams. Their partnership is vital to the success of what promises to be a high-energy and unforgettable competition.

Managua to Host AFECAVOL U21 and U23 Beach Volleyball Central American Championships

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MANAGUA, Nicaragua, April  21, 2025. – Managua is getting ready to host the 15th Central American Under 21 Championship and the inaugural edition of the Central American Under 23 Beach Volleyball Championships organized by AFECAVOL, from April 24 to 28.

Both events will be held simultaneously at the sand court located in the iconic Paseo Xolotlán in Managua, Nicaragua.

The previous edition of the U21 Central American Championship took place in 2022 in Panama, where Costa Rican teams dominated the event. Angel Williams/Kianny Araya and Julian Araya/Jhostin Varela were crowned champions in the women’s and men’s divisions, respectively.

As for the U23 category, during the recent AFECAVOL Assembly, the decision was made to launch the first edition of this event, aiming to develop all beach volleyball age-group categories in Central America. The U23 category has been part of the NORCECA competition system since 2021, serving as a qualifier for the Junior Pan American Games.

Delegations from the participating countries are scheduled to arrive in Managua on April 24, when the preliminary meeting and official team registration will take place. Competition days will run from April 25 to 27.

XV Campeonato Centroamericano Sub-21 de Voleibol de Playa

I Campeonato Centroamericano Sub-23 de Voleibol de Playa

NORCECA Mourns the Passing of His Holiness Pope Francis

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April 21, 2025.- The North, Central America and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation (NORCECA) expresses its profound sorrow following the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis, a spiritual leader whose humility, compassion, and unwavering commitment to peace and unity touched millions around the world.

Cristóbal Marte Hoffiz, President of NORCECA, extended his heartfelt condolences to the global Catholic community and to all those mourning the loss of a man who dedicated his life to service and dialogue.

“We are deeply saddened by the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis,” said Marte Hoffiz. “His moral leadership, tireless advocacy for the poor and marginalized, and his message of love and unity have left an indelible mark on humanity. On behalf of the NORCECA Volleyball Confederation, we send our thoughts and prayers to the Vatican and to all members of the Catholic Church around the world.”

Pope Francis, the first Latin American and Jesuit Pope, was a symbol of hope for many across the globe, transcending religious and cultural boundaries with his simple yet powerful message of fraternity and inclusion. His papacy reminded the world of the importance of humility, social justice, and human dignity.

A strong advocate for the unifying power of sport, Pope Francis recognized athletics as a path to building community and promoting values such as respect, teamwork, and perseverance. In 2016, under his leadership, the Vatican co-organized the “Faith and Sport” conference with the United Nations and the International Olympic Committee (IOC). In 2022, he initiated and presided over the “Sport for All” conference, reaffirming his belief in sport as a tool for inclusion and peace. These events demonstrated his commitment to ensuring that sport remains a bridge between people of different cultures, faiths, and backgrounds.

NORCECA joins the international community in honoring the life and legacy of Pope Francis, remembering his enduring contributions to peace, faith, and global solidarity—and his genuine belief in the transformative power of sport.

May he rest in eternal peace.

Las Criollas Earn Spot in the 2025 LVSF Finals

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GUAYNABO, Puerto Rico, April 20, 2025. – In a thrilling battle last Thursday night, the Criollas de Caguas secured their spot in the finals of the 2025 Women’s Volleyball Superior League  (LVSF), defeating the Mets de Guaynabo 3-1 (25-19, 20-25, 25-20, 26-24) at the Mario “Quijote” Morales Coliseum.

With this victory, the Criollas broke the home-court trend and sparked an outburst of celebration among their fans. They claimed the semifinal series 4-2.

The Criollas de Caguas will now face the defending champion, the Cangrejeras de Santurce, in the Gran Serie Final KIA.

Caguas outperformed Guaynabo in attacks (56-53), blocks (17-11), and service aces (3-2). The Mets led in digs (62-54), receptions (40-34), and assists (39-14).

Standout offensive contributors for the Criollas included Kath Bell with 20 points (19 kills and 1 block), followed by Temi Thomas Ailara with 16 points and Kristin Lux with 14. Alba Hernández led the net defense with 6 of the team’s 9 blocks.

For the Mets, Chiaka Ogbogu shined with 20 points, and Rebecca Latham added 19.

KIA Finals Series Schedule

The Gran Serie Final KIA will be played as a best-of-seven. The first team to reach four wins will be crowned champion:

Tuesday, April 22: Cangrejeras de Santurce at Criollas de Caguas – 8:00 PM

Thursday, April 24: Criollas de Caguas at Cangrejeras de Santurce – 8:12 PM

Saturday, April 26: Cangrejeras de Santurce at Criollas de Caguas – 8:00 PM

Monday, April 28: Criollas de Caguas at Cangrejeras de Santurce – 8:12 PM

If necessary:

Wednesday, April 30: Cangrejeras de Santurce at Criollas de Caguas – 8:00 PM

Friday, May 2: Criollas de Caguas at Cangrejeras de Santurce – 8:12 PM

Sunday, May 4: Cangrejeras de Santurce at Criollas de Caguas – 7:00 PM (NEUTRAL VENUE)

Nuss & Brasher bring home first Beach Pro Tour gold for 2025

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BRASILIA, Brazil, April 20, 2025.- After taking bronze in Quintana Roo and silver in Saquarema, USA’s Kristen Nuss & Taryn Brasher snatched the gold in Brasilia as the third Elite event of the year on the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour came to a close in the Brazilian capital on Sunday. This way, the American Paris 2024 Olympians topped the podium for the first time since the 2024 Tour Finals in Doha and added the ninth gold and the 15th medal overall to their impressive Beach Pro Tour collection.

Watch the Brasilia Elite onVBTV

Carol Solberg & Rebecca Cavalcanti put up a solid fight in the final but had to settle for silver in front of the Brazilian home crowd. It was already their second medal out of only four Tour appearances together as a team. Three weeks ago, the experienced Brazilians triumphed at the Quintana Roo Elite.

Another Brazilian team, reigning Olympic champions Ana Patricia Ramos & Eduarda Santos Lisboa (Duda), completed the podium with bronze, their first Beach Pro Tour medal in almost a year, or since they conquered the gold at this same venue in May 2024. The former world champions and former number one team in the World Ranking have now piled up a remarkable showcase of eight gold, two silver and five bronze medals on the Tour.

Second-seeded Nuss & Brasher overcome their fifth-seeded opponents’ strong performance and the noise from a fantastic Brazilian home crowd on the stands during Sunday’s gold medal showdown to put together a narrow 2-0 (22-20, 21-19) victory. The Americans were in the lead through most of the first set of the match, but in the money, Carol & Barbara took control and reached the first set point at 19-18. Nuss & Brasher reacted with three points in a row and closed the set with an ace from Nuss. Twice in the second set, the US team opened a wide lead and twice the home favorites closed the gap as it eventually came down to a 19-19 tie. Nuss & Brasher stayed focus and soon closed the set and the match with a powerful spike from Nuss for the winning point.

The better overall performance in offense made the big difference in tilting the balance Nuss & Brasher’s way, with Brasher emerging as the best scorer of the match with 24 points and the best attacker of the match with 20 kills, as well as the best blocker of the match with three stuffs to her name. Carol led the Brazilian pair with 17 points, including two aces and two kill blocks.

“Oh, my goodness! It was so difficult! If we could stop playing them multiple times, that would be great! They are incredible and we knew that in front of this home crowd it would be pretty rowdy and they would bring the passion like they always do. So we just tried to stick with each other and trust ourselves,” Nuss said on the court after the match.

“Kristen came in today and woke me up with a great enthusiastic ‘let’s go get gold today!’ But we had to fight against an amazing Brazilian team – they are both just so incredible – and we had to play in front of Brazilian fans that are just so rowdy, and so fun, and just love the game,” Brasher added.

The bronze medal game earlier on Sunday lasted three sets as Dutch qualifiers Emi van Driel & Wies Bekhuis, seeded 23rd in the 24-team main draw, put up a tough fight and even won the first set against the mighty Olympic champions, before 10th-seeded Ana Patricia & Duda managed to turn the course of the match around and celebrate a 2-1 (19-21, 21-15, 15-12) victory. It was mostly the unforced errors of the Dutch and the better blocking of the Brazilians that prompted the outcome of this match. Ana Patricia raised six kill blocks during the game and topped the charts with a match-high total of 20 points.

VW Beach Pro Tour Brasilia Elite: schedule and results

Volleyball and Beach Volleyball Venues confirmed for Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028

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April 15, 2025.- The countdown is on, as the venues for volleyball and beach volleyball at the Olympic Games LA28 have now been confirmed.  

The City of Long Beach, a 2028 Venue City, will showcase Beach Volleyball at the iconic Alamitos Beach.  Volleyball will be held at the Arena in Anaheim, a premier entertainment and sports venue that will undoubtedly provide the perfect Olympic stage for an unforgettable volleyball experience.  

This announcement follows the extraordinary success of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 – widely celebrated as the most successful Games ever for volleyball and beach volleyball. From record-breaking viewership, incredible performances on the field of play and iconic backdrops, the sports captured unprecedented global attention.  

Building on this momentum, the FIVB is confident that the LA28 Games, set to take place from 14-30 July 2028, will continue to raise the bar for volleyball at the Olympic level, and that these landmark locations will offer a spectacular setting for the world’s best volleyball athletes to compete on sport’s greatest stage.   

“We are extremely excited by the confirmation of these venues and the opportunity they represent to showcase our sports at the Olympic Games LA28.”  said FIVB Secretary General Hugh McCutcheon. “The Paris 2024 volleyball competitions showed volleyball and beach volleyball at their absolute best, and we are confident LA28 will continue that legacy. The FIVB looks forward to continuing to work closely with the LA28 Organizing Committee, the IOC, and all of our partners in the lead-up to what promises to be an outstanding Games.” 

Cristóbal Marte Hoffiz Meets with IOC President Thomas Bach in Lausanne

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LAUSANNE, Switzerland, April 13, 2025. – Within the framework of the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) Board of Administration meeting, NORCECA President Cristóbal Marte Hoffiz held a friendly meeting with International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach at the Olympic House in Lausanne.

The conversation took place in a warm and cordial atmosphere, reinforcing institutional ties and highlighting a shared commitment to the development of sport globally, particularly in Latin America.

Thomas Bach expressed his admiration for the Dominican Republic women’s volleyball national team program, which he has followed closely after visiting the team on two occasions: during the Lima 2019 Pan American Games and later in Santo Domingo. On both occasions, the IOC President had the opportunity to witness firsthand the structure, vision, and achievements of a program that is now considered a model in the region.

“The Dominican project is a benchmark for sport throughout Latin America. It is a model to follow that shows how a clear vision and sustained investment can generate results with global impact,” Bach stated.

Marte Hoffiz took the opportunity to share the program’s key pillars, achievements, and future projections. The Dominican initiative has become a strategic national investment, yielding success in international competitions while also serving as a solid platform for talent scouting, athlete development, and the professionalization of women’s volleyball.

“This is not just a sports project, it’s a nation-building project that invests in the future of our youth and has positioned the Dominican Republic as a global volleyball power,” said Marte Hoffiz.

Thomas Bach praised the program’s long-term vision and reaffirmed the IOC’s commitment to strengthening sports in Latin America. He acknowledged that initiatives such as the Dominican women’s volleyball program inspire other nations to embrace structured development in their respective disciplines.

This meeting represents international recognition of the Dominican Republic’s women’s volleyball model, an example of how a well-executed national strategy can transcend borders and make a mark on the global sports stage.

The Dominican Republic women’s national volleyball team is currently ranked 11th in the world, consolidating its status as an emerging force in international volleyball.

Progress and empowerment: FIVB Board of Administration approves key proposals from FIVB Commissions and Councils

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LAUSANNE, Switzerland, April 14, 2025.- Among the proposals approved were the establishment of World Volleyball Day (7 July), the expansion of the World Ranking, and much more!

The FIVB Board of Administration took several key decisions on various proposals from the Commission and Councils during its meeting, all aligned with the FIVB Strategic Vision 2032’s mission to serve the Global Volleyball Movement.

Volleyball Council – World Ranking expansion

The Board approved a World Ranking proposal aligned with the current international volleyball landscape. The new proposal expands the number of event categories included and aims to foster the expanded participation of national teams. The FIVB’s dynamic World Ranking system provides an accurate assessment of a team’s technical performance, and is a credible tool for tracking a team’s progress and development over time.

Under the new framework, each Continental Confederation may include up to two Annual Continental Events in the World Ranking, while each Zonal Association may include one Annual Zonal Event. To be eligible for World Ranking points, official competitions must feature a minimum of four senior national teams.

Another key change is related to team inactivity. Previously, teams were considered inactive after one year without competition. Following the Board’s approval, this period has now been extended to two years, effective as of 2025.

The Board also approved several competition structure updates in volleyball. Notably, team rosters for Age Group World Championships will expand from 12 to 14 players to align with evolving competition demands. Meanwhile, the structure of U17 events will be brought into line with U19 and U21 tournaments, featuring 24 teams, the same qualification processes, competition formats, and world ranking points allocation.

Following the request of the Volleyball Federation of Serbia, the FIVB U19 Girls’ World Championship will see logistical adjustments, with the addition of an extra day to assist with travel, and a change in host city from Belgrade to Vrnjačka Banja, Serbia.

Heritage and Legacy Commission – World Volleyball Day!

Following the approval of the FIVB Board of Administration, 7 July has officially been established as World Volleyball Day. The date commemorates the first public demonstration of volleyball by William Morgan in 1895, and will annually serve as a global celebration of volleyball.

Beach Volleyball Commission – Beach volleyball turnaround

In line with the FIVB Strategic Vision 2032, in which beach volleyball turnaround is one of 15 priorities, the Board approved a proposal to launch a test in 2025 to allow beach volleyball coaches to coach on the field of play.

Focused on enhancing athlete development and creating richer in-game narratives, the pilot will cover 15 events from 23 July to 5 October 2025, including four Elite, three Challenge and eight Futures events. Should the trial be positive, then phase two of the test will see the initiative extended to all remaining events in 2025 and 2026, including the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships Adelaide 2025.

Medical Commission – 2026 FIVB Medical Congress

The Board also approved the proposal to organise a FIVB Medical Congress in 2026. The Congress will explore medicine, health and fitness within the context of volleyball. Further details will be released in due course.

Rules of the Game & Refereeing Commission – Enhancing clarity and flow

Several changes were approved to streamline the sport and make it more accessible to fans.

In volleyball, to reduce sudden rally interruptions, teams will no longer be able to request a mid-rally Challenge. Instead, teams can request a Challenge at the end of rally to review the referees’ decision regarding any action during the rally, including the service.

In both volleyball and beach volleyball, a new interpretation of the double touch rule was approved for testing. Double contact will be allowed during the setting action, provided the ball remains on the same side of the court, with faults only called for two clear consecutive touches. For balls played into the opponent’s court, as well as catches and lifts, the current interpretation will still apply. In volleyball, this new rule interpretation will be applied during the VNL 2025, then assessed before wider application across events. Meanwhile, in beach volleyball, it will be applied at the Gstaad Elite, Montreal Elite, Brazil Challenge and Baden Challenge, before being applied more widely.

Finally, the Board approved changes to the beach volleyball video challenge regulations to align with a regulation existing in volleyball where the referee’s decision remains final, but the team retains its Challenge in case of inconclusive video evidence.

Coaches Commission – New initiatives

Following the Board’s approval, a test will be conducted at the VNL 2025, age group and senior world championships, to amend out-of-rotation rules for the receiving team. Specifically, it will test the out of rotation error for the receiving team where the referees’ whistle defines the rotation, and the toss of the serve defines the moment that the athlete can change position on the court.

In addition, ongoing efforts will continue to promote female coaches and increase their visibility as role models within the sport. The Board approved a proposal for all female national teams at the VNL 2026 and Age Group World Championships to have at least one female coach registered on the match roster list

Communication Commission – Global Volleyball Movement campaign in 2025.

The Board supported the recommended launch of the Global Volleyball Movement campaign, a major digital initiative designed to expand the sport’s reach and enhance engagement worldwide. The campaign aims to strengthen volleyball’s relevance in society and promote positive change through sport.

Legal Commission – Regulatory updates

Finally, the FIVB Board of Administration approved proposed updates to the Terms of Reference (Article 5.5 of the FIVB General Regulations), reflecting recent changes to the structure and naming of the FIVB Commissions and Councils.

In addition to the Terms of Reference, important amendments to the FIVB Sports Regulations were approved to allow for more flexibility for younger athletes. Among the key regulatory changes were updates to the rules regarding national team representation and Federation of Origin (FoO). A player may now change their Federation of Origin to the Federation of Origin of his/her nationality if their FoO differs from the nationality they held prior to the initial determination of their FoO. This change must be made before either the player is registered on an O-2 form for the national team of their original FoO or before the player reaches the age of 18.

Further updates were made to the special case related to eight-year residency. Specifically, the maximum age at which a player can benefit from this special case has been increased to 38 years old. Players who apply for this special case may also have previously represented a senior national team of their initial Federation of Origin but will not be eligible to represent the national team of their new Federation.

The tracked change version of the updates to the Regulations will be published next week on the FIVB website.

Nuss and Brasher Win Silver in Saquarema

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SAQUAREMA, Brazil, April 13, 2025.- Americans Kristen Nuss an Taryn Brasher won the silver medal of the Volleyball World Beach Pro Elite event in Saquarema, Brazil, after falling in Sundays’ final to Brazilians Thamela Coradello and Victoria Lopes 1-2 (19, 21, 21-16, 10-15).

Watch the Beach Pro Tour Saquarema Elite replays onVBTV

By finishing second in Saquarema, Nuss and Brasher made their sixth-straight podium appearance on the Beach Pro Tour – they won three golds, two silvers and one bronze in the period.

Beach Pro Tour Saquarema Elite – Results

The top team in the FIVB World Ranking, Germans Müller and Tillmann won their first medal in the season by taking third in Saquarema. The Europeans had a dominant performance in the bronze medal match, topping Americans Kelly Cheng and Molly Shaw 2-0 (21-16, 21-16).

The Beach Pro Tour will continue in Brazil for another week, with the country’s capital, Brasília, welcoming the third Elite event of the season from April 16-20.

Las Criollas One Win Away from the Final and Santurce Wins Semifinal Series B

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Puerto Rico, April 12, 2025. – The Criollas de Caguas are now just one win away from the Final after defeating the Mets de Guaynabo in Semifinal A, while the Cangrejeras de Santurce swept the Atenienses de Manatí on Saturday in Semifinal B of the Women’s Superior Volleyball League (LVSF) of Puerto Rico.

Home teams continue to dominate in Semifinal Series A of the LVSF. On Saturday night, the Criollas de Caguas moved one step closer to the Final with a straight-sets victory (25-23, 29-27, 25-13) over the Mets de Guaynabo at the Roger Mendoza Coliseum in Caguas.

The Criollas’ offense was led by Diana Reyes and Kristin Lux, who both scored 15 points. They were followed by Sofía Victoria and Stephanie Enright, who each added 11 points.

For Guaynabo, Rebecca Latham led the scoring with 13 points, while Paola Santiago contributed 10.

The series will continue on Wednesday, April 16, at the Mario “Quijote” Morales Coliseum in Guaynabo, starting at 7:00 p.m.

Meanwhile, the Cangrejeras de Santurce swept the Atenienses de Manatí in Semifinal B on Saturday with another dominant 3-0 victory (25-15, 25-17, 25-18) at the Roberto Clemente Coliseum. With this win, the Cangrejeras advance to their third consecutive final.

Santurce faced the Pinkin de Corozal in the 2023 final, where Corozal came out on top. In 2024, Santurce defeated the Atenienses de Manatí, and now they await the winner of Caguas vs. Guaynabo.

The Cangrejeras had three players in double digits: Andrea Rangel (16), Tamara Otene (14), and Kara McGhee (10).

For Manatí, last season’s runners-up, Karla Santos and Jovyrelis Ayala scored 14 and 10 points, respectively.

Historic FIVB Board of Administration meeting wraps up at Olympic House and Olympic Museum

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LAUSANNE, Switzerland, April 13, 2025.- The FIVB Board of Administration concluded an inspiring two days of meetings, marking a historic milestone as the second day’s morning and afternoon sessions were held at the Olympic House and the Olympic Museum, respectively.  

Ahead of the second day’s proceedings, FIVB Board of Administration members joined a tour of the Olympic House, deepening their connection to the heart of the Olympic Movement. The day was further elevated by the presence of several notable guests from the International Olympic Committee (IOC).  

The FIVB Board of Administration was warmly welcomed by IOC President Thomas Bach, who shared a few words on the FIVB’s development over the years. 

“We have built excellent relations [with the FIVB] over all the many years. I would like to repeat in front of all of you, that volleyball is really one of the very few International Federations which has made a real difference in setting a benchmark in the development of their sport in the last couple of years,” said President Bach. 

“That means on the field of play you are a much more competitive, with more National Federations having the opportunity to compete, to compete at a higher level, and to be able to achieve diplomas, medals and distinctions to really make a difference. And off the field of play, you have embraced the social responsibility of sport. You understand that in life it’s always about giving and taking, and you cannot always only take.” 

IOC President-elect Kirsty Coventry also addressed the FIVB Board of Administration, stating: 

“I think it’s very exciting, the future of volleyball around the world. I agree with all the sentiments that you [Fabio Azevedo] just said, spreading the sports, making them more affordable, more accessible to more people. And doing that by inspiring the younger generation to be healthier and more active is a huge priority for all of us. I’m very much looking forward to walking this journey with you.  

“I think your Together as One [motto] is very much like my campaign Ubuntu philosophy,  that is ‘I am because we are’. It’s very much how my leadership will continue in that style – that we need to work together to strengthen various things.” 

Both IOC Director General Christophe De Kepper and Olympic Games Executive Director Christophe Dubi also joined the FIVB Board. In addition, Dubi delivered a presentation on the upcoming Olympic events – Dakar 2026, Los Angeles 2028, and Brisbane 2032. 

Discussing what a sports movement means, Dubi stated: “This narrative of the power of inspiration starts at grassroots. And I think to grow a movement, it starts at grassroots…. bringing together the younger generations who are inspired… because of the display of humanity that we show in sport is incredibly powerful. [Olympic Games and World Championships] are platforms we need to use because this is where we reach the audience, this is where we build a spark. But it’s any actions outside that really matter. So, this is where actions like solidarity, actions like anything you do with your National Federations down to clubs, including the education of coaches and entourage of the teams and the athletes. This is where we make a difference. For me, this all translates into, we have a spark at the time of our events, but how do we translate it to grassroots.” 

James Macleod, IOC Director of NOC Relations, Olympic Solidarity, and Olympism365, provided a comprehensive report, highlighting the successful collaboration with the FIVB. 

Regarding Olympic Solidarity, Macleod commented: “It is really what we would call from the IOC side and the Olympic Movement, the development engine that we have at everyone’s disposal. And that is where our collaboration with you and your development department has been really successful. And it’s because of that collaboration that we’re able to develop volleyball across the world as much as we can.” 

In addition, ASOIF Executive Director James Carr presented on the ASOIF Good Governance Report. Overall, since the initial ASOIF review in 2016-2017, the FIVB has climbed 95 points, reflecting its unwavering commitment to implementing the highest standards of good governance. 

The FIVB Board also heard key updates across various Commissions, including Volleyball Empowerment, Development & Sustainability and Legal. Presentations from Volleyball World and the Volleyball Foundation, meanwhile, highlighted volleyball’s commercial growth and growing societal impact. 

To conclude the meeting, the Board members received updates on an exciting calendar of volleyball and beach volleyball events, with 2025 and beyond promising an action-packed schedule. Major highlights include the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships Adelaide 2025, the VNL 2025, and the FIVB Volleyball Men’s and Women’s World Championships, set to be staged in the Philippines and Thailand, respectively.

Punta Cana to host 40th FIVB World Congress 2026

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LAUSANNE, Switzerland, April 12, 2025.- Volleyball-loving nation of Dominican Republic set to welcome the Global Volleyball Movement next year.

The FIVB Board of Administration unanimously approved Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, as the host of the 40th FIVB World Congress 2026.

The proposal to bring the Congress to Punta Cana was presented by NORCECA President and FIVB 1st Executive Vice-President Cristóbal Marte Hoffiz. The proposal highlighted the country’s vibrant sporting culture, its strong connection to the volleyball community and its reputation for delivering world-class events. Punta Cana will also host the IOC Session in 2027.

The FIVB will work hand-in-hand with the Dominican Republic Volleyball Federation to ensure an unforgettable and productive Congress in 2026.

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