Dominican Republic, Canada, Cuba and Mexico Set the Pace in Women’s Opening Day in Tamaulipas

CIUDAD MADERO, Tamaulipas, May 22, 2026.- Ciudad Madero opened competition Friday for the women’s division of the fourth stop of the 2026 NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour, with an opening day highlighted by the strong performances of several of the circuit’s top contenders, including the Dominican Republic, Canada, Cuba and Mexico.

Mexicans Susana Torres and Abril Flores, champions of the third stop in Nicaragua, opened in dominant fashion with a straight-set 2-0 (21-5, 21-10) victory over Kinsley Taylor and Sophia Peifer of the U.S. Virgin Islands in Pool A, confirming the excellent form they are enjoying after recently capturing their first title together on the Tour.

The Dominican Republic also maintained the momentum it has shown throughout the season. In Pool C, Crismil Paniagua and Yari Cleto, champions in Güibia and among the leading teams of the 2026 circuit, defeated Nicaragua’s Nahima Silva and Socorro López in three sets, 2-1 (21-12, 16-21, 15-9).

Meanwhile, Julibeth Payano and Bethania Almanzar dominated Pool D with two convincing victories: 2-0 (21-8, 21-5) over Mexico’s Cepek/Juárez and 2-0 (21-12, 21-12) against Canada’s Prokofieva/Crossfield.

Canadians Darby Dunn and Alison McKay once again demonstrated their consistency with another strong performance, defeating Paniagua and Cleto in straight sets 2-0 (21-10, 21-16) to solidify themselves at the top of Pool C.

In Pool B, Cuba produced one of the strongest starts of the day with Kailin Garrido and Maykelin Drik, who defeated Guatemala’s Alvarado/González 2-0 (21-10, 21-7) before overcoming Americans Paloma Bowman and Michelle Shaffer in a hard-fought match, 2-1 (21-15, 17-21, 15-12), to finish the day undefeated.

Costa Rica also bounced back in Pool D. After falling 0-2 (19-21, 15-21) to Canada’s Prokofieva/Crossfield, Aliza Aguilar and Laura Molina responded with a 2-0 (21-12, 21-9) victory over Mexico’s Anna Sofía Cepek and Ana Sofía Juárez.

Competition will continue Saturday beginning at 8:30 a.m. with the second day of action, a key round that will determine the final standings in the pools and the duos advancing to the elimination rounds.

RESULTS DAY 1

POOL A

Tovar/Vigil (ESA) 2-0 Taylor/Peifer (ISV) (21-4/21-10)

Torres/Flores (MEX) 2-0 Taylor/Peifer (ISV) (21-5/21-10)

POOL B

Kailin/Drik (CUB) 2-0 Alvarado/Gonzalez (GUA) (21-10/21-7)

Kailin/Drik (CUB) 2-1 Bromean/Shaffer (USA) (21-15/17-21/15-12)

POOL C

Paniagua / Cleto (DOM) 2-1 Silva/Lopez (NCA) (21-12/16-21/15-9)

Dunn/McKay (CAN) 2-0 Paniagua/Cleto (DOM) (21-10/21-16)

POOL D

Prokofieva/Crossfield (CAN) 2-0 Aguilar/Molina (CRC) (21-19/21-15)

Payano/Almanzar (DOM) 2-0 Cepek/Juarez (MÉX) (21-8/21-5)

Payano/Almanzar (DOM) 2-0 Prokofieva/Crossfield (CAN) (21-12/21-12)

Aguilar/Molina (CRC) 2-0 Cepek/Juarez (MEX) (21-12/21-09)