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US Leach/McCanna Win Gold at NORCECA U18 Qualifier

JUAN DOLIO, Dominican Republic, April 26, 2026 – The US duo of Lauren Leach and Janie McCanna captured the gold medal in the women's division of the NORCECA U18 Beach Volleyball Qualifier, easily defeating Julia McDougall and Natalia Casas of Canada in two sets (21-9, 21-8) in the final held on the beaches of Juan Dolio.

The bronze medal went to El Salvador's Fátima Rendón and Devora Medina, who defeated Keila Moreno and Ingrid Núñez of Costa Rica in straight sets, 2-0 (21-16, 21-12).

The final spot available for the 2026 Beach Volleyball World Championship went to the host nation, Zoe Paniagua and Yerelin Reyes, who prevailed in a thrilling match against Daniela Campos and Fátima Reina of Guatemala, with a score of 2-1 (21-23, 21-11, 15-12).

The five teams that qualified for the World Championship are: the United States, Canada, El Salvador, Costa Rica, and the Dominican Republic.

In other results, Ana Barcias and Coralys Pérez of Puerto Rico finished in seventh place after defeating Olivia Gazzard and Sophie Weikl of Bermuda 2-0 (21-13, 21-12).

Destiny Layne and Gabrielle Sandiford of Barbados finished in ninth place after beating Kimberly Silva and Abdi Narvaez of Nicaragua 2-0 (22-8, 21-18). Meanwhile, Rzyra Denbow/Anna-Marie Figueroa of the Virgin Islands finished in eleventh place after defeating Julissa Kelly and Safirah Barbosa of the Cayman Islands in two sets, 2-0 (21-11, 21-5).

Other results from the day were:

(GUA) Daniela Campos/Fátima Reina d (PUR) Ana Barcias/Coralys Pérez 2-0 (21-14, 21-13); (DOM) Zoe Paniagua/Yerelin Reyes d (BER) Olivia Gazzard/Sophie Weikl 2-0 (21-13, 21-10); (CAN) Julia McDougall/Natalia Casas d (ESA) Fátima Rendón/Devora Medina 2-0 (21-8, 21-11). (USA) Lauren Leach/Janie McCanna d (CRC) Keila Moreno/Ingrid Núñez 2-0 (21-6, 21-9); (BAR) Destiny Layne/Gabrielle Sandiford d (CAY) Julissa Kelly/Safirah Barbosa 2-0 (21-9, 21-8); (NCA) Kimberly Silva/Abdi Narvaez d (ISV) Rzyra Denbow/Anna-Marie Figueroa 2-1 (20-22, 21-12, 15-11).