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Shaw/Loreen of USA Win Second Gold in NORCECA Tour
MANAGUA, Nicaragua, June 16, 2024.- Molly Shaw and Chloe Loreen of the
United States won a thrilling final 2-1 (21-13, 17-21, 18-16) against
Marie-Alex Bélanger and Lea Monkhouse (CAN) to claim the gold medal at
the fourth stop of the NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour in Managua 2024.
For Shaw and Loreen, this is their second gold medal in the NORCECA
Tour, having previously won the continental final in the Dominican
Republic a month ago. For Bélanger, this is her second silver medal in
Managua.
After a relatively comfortable first set in favor of the champions,
Bélanger and Monkhouse applied pressure with their blocking and strong
defense, which helped them even the match at one set each. The tight
contest continued into the third set, but Shaw and Loreen, thanks to
their spectacular defense, ultimately secured the final advantage.
Shaw said, “I was telling Chloe that this is the kind of game I play
volleyball for. The crowd was really loud, it was pouring rain, and
honestly, this was one of my favorite matches ever. The rain adds many
different dynamics; the ball is slipperier, and a lot happens. It was
stressful and fun at the same time”.
Loreen added, “I feel great. I think Molly and I really came together
in this match. Playing in the rain was fun; it brought me back to my
roots playing in Washington, and I’m very happy we pulled through.
Everything has been fantastic—I love the stadium, the crowd was so much
fun, and the rain just came out of nowhere, but it was exciting”.
For the bronze medal, Nicole Reinking and Heather Friesen (USA) won 2-0
(21-14, 21-18) against Nicaragua’s Socorro López and Lolette Rodríguez
Sunday matches
Positiion 13: Núñez/Quesada (CRC) d Penner/Valenciana (ISV) 2-0 ;
Position 11: Zuñiga/Aguilar (GUA) d Hands/Hamilton (BER) 2-0 (21-8,
21-10); Position 9: Valeska/Silva (NCA) d Molina/Aguilar (CRC) 2-0
(21-17, 21-14). Position 7-8: Quesada/Ramírez (CRC) d Alvarado/Resau (NCA)
2-0 (21-8, 21-15). Position 5-6: Orellana A/Alvarado (GUA) d Robitaille/Dunn
(CAN) 2-0 (23-21, 21-15); Bronze Medal: Reinking/Friesen (USA) d Lopez/Lolette
(NCA) 2-0 (21-14, 21-18).
Gold Medal: Shaw/Loreen (USA) d Bélanger/Monkhouse (CAN) 2-1 (21-13,
17-21, 18-16).
Final positions
1.- Shaw/ Loreen USA; 2.-Bélanger/Monkhouse CAN; 3.-
Reinking/Friesen USA; 4.- Lopez/Lolette NCA; 5.- Orellana A/Alvarado GUA;
6.- Robitaille/Dunn CAN; 7. Quesada/Ramírez CRC; 8.- Alvarado/Resau NCA;
9.- Valeska/Silva NCA; 10.- Molina/Aguilar CRC; 11.- Zuñiga/Aguilar GUA;
12.- Hands/Hamilton BER; 13.- Núñez/Quesada CRC; 14.- Penner/Valenciana
ISV; 15.- McCoombs/H. Thompson CAY; 16.- Funes/Guzman ESA |
