Mexicans Sarabia/Stephens win bronze of U21 World Championships

UDON THANI, Thailand, June 23, 2019 – Mexico’ Miguel Sarabia and Raymond Gerald Stephens took home the bronze medal of the FIVB Beach Volleyball U21 World Championship.

Sarabia and Stephens rebounded from yesterday’s semifinal loss to the Brazilians to claim Mexico’s second men’s U21 World Championship podium placement after winning the silver medal in 2016 witj Josue Gaxiola and Josue Gaxiola and Jose Rubio.

The Mexicans defeated Russia’s Vasilii Ivanov and Sergey Gorbenko 21-16, 21-15 after losing in the semifinals to eventual champions Renato and Rafael Lima 2-1 (19-21, 21-14, 15-11).

In quarterfinals Sarabia/Stephens edged Pfretzschener/Sowa of Germany 2-0 (21-18, 21-19) after defeating Iglesias/Droguett of Chile in the round of 16 by scores of 2-0 (21-11, 21-15).

Cubans Alayo/Portes won their match of the round of 32 against Canada’s Kerkhoff/Pickett 2-1 (18-21, 21-16, 15-5) and then lost to Mozic/Bosnjak of Slovenia 2-0 (21-14, 21-18).

In the round of 16, USA’s Brewster/Wienckowsky lost to Russia’s Shekunov/Veretiuk 2-0 (21-14, 21-17).

Nicaragua’s Denis Lopez and Jefferson Cascante made history for their country when they reached the round of 32 where they lost to Bailón/Bertran of Uruguay 2-1 (21-17, 12-21, 15-11).