Cubans break record of consecutive wins in Norceca

Cubans break record of consecutive wins in Norceca

VARADERO, Cuba, May 12, 2019 - Maylen Deliz-Leila Martínez (CUB-1) defeated Falyn Fonoimoana-Nicolette Martin (USA-2) 2-0 (21-18 and 21-13) and won their fourth consecutive gold, a female record for a single season in the Norceca beach volleyball circuit.

The previous mark was of three owned precisely by the Cubans Kirenia Ballar-Nirian Sinal, who in 2009 won the first three of the year in Cayman Islands, Guatemala and Boca Chica.

At the same time they matched the number of consecutive wins but in combined years, set by the Mexicans Bibiana Candelas-Mayra García who triumphed at the end of 2011 in Manzanillo, Rosarito and Puerto Vallarta and to open 2012 in Cayman Islands.

"It's something very nice to do something in the same year that no other couple could accomplish. Leila and I set out to look good and achieve medals in all the events, so it worked out much better because we have not dropped off the podium in 2018,” said an excited Maylen.

The champions had to battle hard to advance to the gold dispute, since in the semifinals their countrywomen Yanisleidis Sánchez-Lidiannis Echevarría planted a strong resistance to stretch the duel until the tie-break, but finally prevailed the courage and the experience of Cuba- 1, leader in the ranking that won 2-1 (2-1 (21-16, 14-21, 15-13) in a challenge worthy of a final.

"We knew that the match would be close, we train together, we know each other's weaknesses and it has not yet been defined which pair will go to the Pan American Games in Lima, but I think that with our performance so far in Norceca we can earn that right », said Leila, a doctor in Dentistry and 25 years old as her companion.

In the other semifinal Fonoimoana and Martin won 2-0 (25-23, 21-7) over Canadians Anna Dunn-Suen and Caleigh (CAN-1), who evidently were affected by the sun and humidity, while the winners secured a better colored metal after the bronzes achieved in the initial stops of Aguascalientes and Cayman Islands.

The bronze medal corresponded to the hostile Yani and Lidi, who surpassed without much difficulty the main Canadian duo of Dunn-Suen and Cruickshank 2-0 (21-9, 21-14) in their debut this year at the NORCECA beach event.

Women:

1. Mailen Deliz-Leila Martínez (CUB-1); 2. Falyn Fonoimoana-Nicolette Martin (USA-2); 3. Yanisleidis Sánchez-Lidiannis Echevarría (CUB-2); 4. Anna Dunn-Suen-Caleigh Cruickshank (CAN-1); 5. Caitlin Ledoux-Geena Urango (USA-1); 6. Allanis Navas-María González (PUR); 7. Kathya Vasquez-Fernanda Vargas (ESA); 8. Devon May-Rian Lenarduzzi (CAN-2); 9. Katherine Quesada-Eugenia Ramírez (CRC); 10. Elia Machado-Lolette Rodríguez (NCA); 11. Rheeza Grant-Malika Davidson (TTO); 12. Paola Alvarado-Estefanie Betancourth (GUA); 13. Stefania Gandolfi-Ileann Pawery (CAY); 14. Mannika Charles-Naomi Buckner (ISV); 15. Petal Smith-Kai Wright (JAM); 16. Carole Choux-Cristelle Choux (MQE).

Sunday’s women results:

Gold Medal: CUB-1 d USA-2- 2-0 (21-18, 21-13); Bronze Medal: CUB-2 d CAN-1- 2-0 (21-9, 21-14); Semifinals: USA-2 d CAN-1- 2-0 (25-23, 21-7); CUB-1 d CUB-2-2-1 (21-16, 14-21, 15-13); 5-6 USA-1 d PUR 2-0 (21-15, 21-15); 7-8 ESA d CAN-2 (forfeit); 9-10 CRC d NCA 2-0 (21-14, 21-14); 11-12 TTO d GUA 2-1 (16-21, 21-18, 15-7).