Top-seeded pairs start with easy victories in Beach Volleyball 

CARTAGENA, Colombia, July 19, 2006.- The top seeded pairs in the Men’s Beach Volleyball Tournament at the XX Central American and Caribbean Games started with comfortable wins on Wednesday.

Cubans Francisco Alvarez-Wilfredo Villa showed their experience at world level during their triumph 21-14, 21-10 over host Colombians Wilfredo Barrios-Herney Saldarriaga, while in a duel of Central Americans, Salvadorians Jeovanny Medrano-Francisco Abreu defeated Guatemalans Jorge Bolanos-Hugo Garcia by 22-20, 21-12.

Mexicans Ulises Ontiveros-Lombardo Ontiveros had an easy ride in defeating Trinidadians Kevin Edwards-David Thomas 21-12, 21-6, and Puerto Ricans Raul Papaleo and Joseph Gil combined power with finesse to beat Shawn Seabrookes-Hodge St. Claire of St, Kitts & Nevis 21-10, 21-8.

In other matches, Jackson Henriquez-Igor Hernandez of Venezuela defeated Winston Gittens-Sean Codrington of Barbados 21-14, 21-13 and Costa Ricans Marcelo Arraya-Jonathan Guevara beat Dominicans Jeuddys Perez-Francisco Abreu 21-14, 21-13.

In the women’s side, top seeded Dalixia Fernandez-Tamara Larrea of Cuba, crushed Colombians Andrea Galindo-Claudia Galindo 21-10, 21-9 and Mexicans Vanesa Virgen-Martha Revuelta beat Hondurans Indira Inestroza-Sonia Pino 21-9, 21-8.

Puerto Ricans Lyann Puig-Yamileska Yantin played great defense to prevail 21-13, 21-13 over Trinidadians Nancy Joseph-Andrea Davis, while Dominicans Margarita Suero-Rosa Medrano defeated Guatemalans Maria Jose Orellana-Ana Ramirez 21-14, 21-18.

In other matches, Costa Ricans Natalia Alfaro-Yanina Aguilar beat Laura Molina-Diana Romero of El Salvador 21-13, 18-21, 15-9 and Frankelina Rodriguez-Alejandra Garcia of Venezuela, crushed Shirnel McPherson-Mona Crawford of Barbados 21-7, 21-7.