JUAN DOLIO, Dominican Republic, April 25, 2026 – The men’s duos from the United States, Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico secured their spots at the U18 Beach Volleyball World Championship on Saturday by advancing to the semifinals of the NORCECA Qualifying Tournament, currently taking place on the sand courts of Juan Dolio Beach.
The home pair of Francisco De Jesús and Franklin Segura booked their place in the semifinals following a thrilling 2-1 (21-13, 17-21, 15-13) quarterfinal victory over Costa Rica’s David Johnson and Jeremy Guido. In the semifinals, the Dominican duo will face Puerto Rico’s Adrian Carrillo and Rocco Figueroa, who claimed a convincing 2-0 (21-15, 21-10) win against Barbados’ Cael Greenidge and Joshua Ashby.
Gavin Mortensen and Caden Phillips of the United States advanced in dominant fashion, defeating Guatemala’s Joseph Godoy and Josué Rodríguez 2-0 (21-3, 21-9). They will meet Nicaragua’s Justin Barrios and Matthew Kempf in the semifinals after the Nicaraguan pair rallied from a set down to overcome Canada’s Bruno Azevedo and Cameron Gibson 2-1 (18-21, 21-16, 15-8).
The four losing teams from the quarterfinals will still compete on Sunday for the final available berth to the World Championship.
The 2026 U18 Beach Volleyball World Championship is scheduled for July 8–12 in The Hague, Netherlands.
Other results: (USA) Gavin Mortensen/Caden Phillips d (CAY) Daniel Ducent/Rares Pomian 2-0 (21-5, 21-5); (CRC) David Johnson/Jeremy Guido d (BAR) Joshua Ashby/Cael Greenidge2-0 (21-13, 21-17); (CAN) Bruno Azevedo/Cameron Gibson d (GUA) Joseph Godoy/Josué Rodríguez 2-0 (21-18, 21-13); (PUR) Adrian Carrillo/Rocco Figueroa d (SKN) Troy Shiwamber/Hazaiah Bramble 2-0 (21-6, 21-3); (SUN) Francisco De Jesús/Franklin Segura d (NCA) Justin Barrios/Matthew Kempf 2-1 (14-21, 21-16, 15-11); (TTO) Darion Sparks/JosieCedeño d (ISV) Chikai Pogson/Zayden Turner 2-0 (21-16, 21-19).
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