Five Women Duos Secure Quarterfinal Spots in Puerto Cortés

Five Women Duos Secure Quarterfinal Spots in Puerto Cortés

PUERTO CORTÉS, Honduras, October 18, 2024 - United States, Canada, Guatemala, Costa Rica, and the U.S. Virgin Islands have secured their spots in the quarterfinals by winning two matches at the start of the NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour in Puerto Cortés, Honduras.

Natalia Girón and Paola Alvarado of Guatemala advanced to the quarterfinals by defeating Nahima Silva/Lolette Rodríguez of Nicaragua 2-0 (21-19, 21-17) and then Shanna Rivera/Cecille Johnson of Honduras 2-0 (21-12, 21-15). The two losing pairs will face each other for second place in Pool A at 9:00 a.m.

In Pool B, Katie Lindstrom/Tiffany Svenssohn from the USA won both their matches, defeating Valery Rodríguez/Greisy Cardona of Honduras 2-0 (21-8, 21-7) and later Petal Smith/Kristina Lumsden of Jamaica 2-0 (21-9, 21-7). In the same pool, Sofía Vega/Eugenia Ramírez from Costa Rica also secured two victories, the first 2-0 (21-13, 21-11) against Smith/Lumsden and then 2-0 (21-5, 21-10) against Rodríguez/Cardona.

The top spot in Pool B will be decided on Saturday at 9:50 a.m. between Lindstrom/Svenssohn and Vega/Ramírez, and at 10:40 a.m., Smith/Lumsden will play against Rodríguez/Cardona.

In Pool C, Amy Ozee/Kaylee Glagau of Canada defeated Rachel Kramer/Jade Race of the USA 2-0 (21-10, 21-13), and the Canadians closed with a 2-0 (21-11, 21-8) win over Shanicia Dyer/Shajunee Gumbs of Saint Kitts and Nevis. Sarah Penner/Melanie Valenciana of the U.S. Virgin Islands also secured two wins, overcoming Dyer/Gumbs 2-0 (21-19, 21-13) and later Kramer/Race 2-1 (15-21, 21-14, 15-11).

On Saturday, in a battle of undefeated teams, Ozee/Glagau will face Penner/Valenciana at 11:30 a.m., and Dyer/Gumbs will take on Kramer/Race at 12:20 p.m.

The quarterfinals will be played in the afternoon (starting at 3:00 p.m.) on the municipal beach courts of Puerto Cortés, following the morning session that concludes the group phase.

Friday Results. Pool-play

Grupo A: N. Girón/Alvarado (GUA) d Silva/Lolette (NCA)2-0 (21-19, 21-17); N. Girón/Alvarado (GUA) d Rivera/Johnson (HON) 2-0 (21-12, 21-15). Grupo B: Sofi V/Ramírez (CRC) d Smith/Lumsden (JAM) 2-0 (21-13, 21-11); Lindstrom/Svenssohn (USA) d Rodríguez/Cardona (HON) 2-0 (21-13, 21-11); Lindstrom/Svenssohn (USA) d Smith/Lumsden (JAM) 2-0 (21-9, 21-7); Sofi V/Ramírez (CRC) d Rodríguez/Cardona (HON) (21-5, 21-10). Grupo C:Penner/Valenciana (ISV) d Dyer/Gumbs (SKN) 2-0 (21-19, 21-13); Ozee/Glagau (CAN) d Kramer/Race (USA) 2-0 (21-10, 21-13); Penner/Valenciana (ISV) d Kramer/Race (USA)2-1(15-21, 21-14, 15-11); Ozee/Glagau (CAN) dDyer/Gumbs (SKN) 2-0 (21-11, 21-8).