Cubans Leila and Maylen Delis triumph in Varadero

VARADERO, Cuba, April 29, 2018 – The home team of Leila Martínez and Maylen Diaz fulfilled their duties as women’s segment favorites of Varadero Beach Volleyball Tournament, third stop of the NORCECA Circuit by defeating Amanda Dowdy and Irene Pollock (USA-A) 2-0 (21-16, 24-22) in the gold medal match at Barcelo Solymar Arenas Blancas Hotel on Sunday.

The victory was an improvement for the local pair from the silver medal they won in Aguascalientes and they now are projected as strong pretender to validate the title at the XXIII Central American and Caribbean Games in Barranquilla 2018.

“Winning at home means a lot of happiness, our fans are very demanding and today we were able to offer the joy of victory. I am very glad with Maylen because is very tough to make the change from defender to blocker, but she is smart and listen the tips, and that’s the reason for our good performance since our debut to start the season,” Leila said.

Delis said: “When we came back with the silver medal from the Mexican site we trained hard having in mind the goal of winning the gold here for Cuba as in 2017 the triumph went to the USA pair. We are ready to debut in the world tour in Thailand and Turkey next May.”

It was a tough Sunday for the future medical doctor and her new partner Maylen since they had to battle against Zaira Orellana and Martha Revuelta before prevailing 2-1 (21-13, 17-21, 18-16) as it happened in the semifinals of Aguascalientes where the two teams also battled hard for three sets before the victory for the morenas islanders.

In the other match of this round, Dowdy and Pollock beat compatriots Mackenzie Ponnet and Kimberly Smith (USA-B) 2-0 (21-14, 21-19), the latter gold and silver in the two previous rounds but now with the hands empty after losing to Orellana and Revuelta in the match for the bronze 2-0 (21-11, 21-12).

Women’s Results Sunday

Gold Medal: Leila Martínez/Maylen Delis (CUB-A) d Amanda Dowdy/Irene Pollock (USA-A) 2-0 (21-16, 24-22); Bronze Medal: Zaira Orellana/Martha Revuelta (MEX) d Mackenzie Ponnet/ Kimberly Smith (USA-B) 2-0 (21-11, 21-12); SF: Amanda Dowdy/Irene Pollock (USA-A) d Mackenzie Ponnet/Kimberly Smith (USA-B) 2-0 (21-14, 21-19); Leila Martínez/Maylen Delis  (CUB-A) d Zaira Orellana/Martha Revuelta (MEX) 2-1 (21-13, 17-21, 18-16); 5-6: Arlin Hechavarría/Yanisleidis Sánchez (CUB-B) d Marie-Christine Lapointe/Charlotte Sider (CAN-A) 2-1 (21-12, 19-21, 15-11); 7-8: Anna Dunn-Suen/Becky Tresham (CAN-B) d Thalia Enamorado/Amanda Armenteros (CUB-C) 2-0 (21-15, 21-15); 9-10: Allanis Navas/María Gonzalez (PUR) d Kai Wright/Sashalee Wallen (JAM) 2-0 (21-17, 21-19); 11-12: Valeria Mendoza/Lolette Rodríguez (NCA) d Marie Alvarado/María Juárez (GUA) 2-1 (21-16, 14-21, 15-13); 13-14: Stefania Gandolfi/Ileann Powery (CAY) d La-Teisha Joseph/Suraya Chase (TTO) 2-1 (19-21, 21-17, 16-14); 15-16: Yaniris Miller/Alondra Berroa (DOM) d Mannika Charles/Amber Bennett (ISV) 2-0 (21-12, 21-15); 17: Marissa Brady/Damara Hynds (HON).