No Surprises in Women’s field on Saturday at Varadero

VARADERO, Cuba, July 16, 2016 – Past medalists of this year NORCECA Beach Volleyball Circuit did not allow chances to the opposition during Saturday action while moving to the semifinals of the eighth phase taking place in Varadero, the renowned international tourist destination.

Brandie Wilkerson/Julie Gordon of the main Canadian team and hosts Lianma Flores/Leila Martinez of Cuba-A, Yanisleidis Sánchez/Lidiannis Echeverría of Cuba-B, sealed their tickets with undefeated records, and advanced to the semifinals with the United States-A team of Betsi Flint/Kelley Larsen.

Wilkerson/Gordon, who has one gold and three silver medals, will play against their south neighbors after two victories on Saturday, one in pool play and the other over Guatemalans Girón/Bethancourt in quarterfinals in three sets (21-11, 19-21, 15-6).

The two local pairs, who also have had podium positions this season, but were upset by Costa Rica at the Olympic qualifier in Guaymas, looked impressive to confirm their goal of continuing among the best of the area and the continent, but this time they will face each other in the battle for a finals ticket.

Both duos concluded victorious in pool play with Lianma/Leila in Pool A and their compatriots in Poo C and did not have difficulties to win their quarterfinal matches over Mexicans Burnside/Rios 2-0 (21-18, 21-8) and Canada-B of Nagy/Lapointe 2-0 (21-15, 21-7).

Women’s Results Saturday

Pool A: CUB-A d CAN-B 2-0 (21-18, 23-21)

Final Positions: 1.- Lianma Flores/Leila Martínez, CUB-A (3-0), 2.- Megan Nagy/Marie-Christine Lapointe, CAN-B (2-1), 3.- Kathya Vásquez/María Fernanda Vargas, ESA (1-2).

Pool B: CAN-A d MEX 2-0 (21-19, 21-16), USA-B d ISV 2-0 (21-6, 21-11)

Final Positions: 1.- Brandie Wilkerson/Julie Gordon, CAN-A (3-0), 2.- Skylar Caputo/ Corinne Quiggle, USA-B (2-1), 3.- Stephanie Burnside/Ana Ríos, MEX (1-2), 4.- Melanie Valenciana/Amber Bennett, ISV (0-3).

Pool C: CUB-B d USA-A 2-0 (21-19, 21-18), GUA d GDP 2-0 (21-9, 21-7)

Final Positions: 1.- Yanisleidis Sánchez/Lidiannis Echeverría, CUB-B (3-0), 2.- Betsi Flint/Kelley Larsen, USA-A (2-1), 3.- Natalia Girón/Estefanie Bethancourth, GUA (1-2), 4.- Euriel Kiffer/Abigael Benros, GDP (0-3).

Quarterfinals: CUB-A d MEX 2-0 (21-18, 21-8), USA-A d USA-B 2-1 (21-23, 21-12, 18-16) , CUB-B d CAN-B 2-0 (21-15, 21-7),  CAN-A d GUA 2-1 (21-11, 19-21, 15-6). Losers Quarterfinals: ISV d GDP 2-0 (21-12, 21-5), ESA (bye).