Americans Mortensen/Phillips Win Men's Gold at NORCECA U18

JUAN DOLIO, Dominican Republic, April 26, 2026 – The American duo of Gavin Mortensen and Caden Phillips won the gold medal at the NORCECA U18 Beach Volleyball Qualifying Tournament, defeating the host team of Francisco De Jesús and Franklin Segura 2-0 (21-18, 21-8) on the sands of Juan Dolio.

The bronze medal went to Nicaraguans Justin Barrios and Matthew Kempf, who dominated Puerto Ricans Adrian Carrillo and Rocco Figueroa 2-0 (21-12, 23-21).

The fifth spot at the 2026 Beach Volleyball World Championship was secured by Cael Greenidge and Joshua Ashby of Barbados after defeating Bruno Azevedo and Cameron Gibson of Canada 2-1 (18-21, 21-19, 15-13).

The five teams that have qualified for the World Championship are: the United States, the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico, and Canada.

In other results, Guatemala's Joseph Godoy and Josué Rodríguez finished in seventh place after defeating David Johnson and Jeremy Guido of Costa Rica 2-1 (22-20, 17-21, 15-12).

Darion Sparks and Josie Cedeño of Trinidad and Tobago finished ninth after defeating Zayden Turner and Chikai Pogson of the Virgin Islands 2-0 (21-19, 21-11). Meanwhile, Daniel Ducent/Rares Pomian of the Cayman Islands finished in eleventh place after defeating Troy Shiwamber/Hazaiah Bramble (SKN) 2-0 (21-19, 21-17).

Other results from the day were:

(BAR) Cael Greenidge/Joshua Ashby d (CRC) David Johnson/Jeremy Guido 2-1 (19-21, 21-18, 15-8); (CAN) Bruno Azevedo/Cameron Gibson d (GUA) Joseph Godoy/Josué Rodríguez 2-0 (21-19, 21-14); (DOM) Francisco De Jesús/Franklin Segura d (PUR) Adrian Carrillo/Rocco Figueroa 2-0 (21-19, 21-17). (USA) Gavin Mortensen/Caden Phillips d (NCA) Justin Barrios/Matthew Kempf 2-0 (21-18, 21-18); (ISV) Chikai Pogson/Zayden Turner d (SKN) Troy Shiwamber/Hazaiah Bramble 2-0 (21-7, 21-8); (TTO) Darion Sparks/Josie Cedeño d Daniel Ducent/Rares Pomian 2-0 (21-3, 21-4).