USA Wins Women’s Gold in U23 NORCECA Tour in Punta Cana   

PUNTA CANA, Dominican Republic, October 9, 2024. - The USA pair Isabella Martínez/Ella Connor defeated the Dominican duo Crismil Paniagua/Darlenys Olivo 2-0 (21-8, 21-15) to win the gold medal at the NORCECA U23 Beach Volleyball Continental Tour held at Los Corales Beach in Punta Cana.   

Martínez and Connor (USA) advanced to the gold medal match after defeating the Cuban duo Amanda Drik and Mileidy Paret 2-0 (21-17, 21-11) in the semifinals, while Paniagua and Olivo (DOM) overcame Costa Rica’s Laura Molina and Aliza Aguilar 2-0 (21-19, 21-19).   

The Cuban pair Drik/Paret won the bronze medal over Costa Rica’s Molina/Aguilar 2-1 (19-21, 24-22, 16-14).   

Fifth place went to Emma Cudmore/Sophie Hancock from Canada after defeating Ana Arévalo/Danna Aguilar from Guatemala 2-0 (21-9, 22-20). Seventh place was claimed by Daniela Vigil/Karla Tovar from El Salvador, who defeated Trinidad and Tobago's Adalia Badroe/Shanice Cottoy 2-0 (21-17, 21-2).   

In ninth place were Maya Boutanos/Kate Chipman from Canada, who beat Kaylee Trott/Hailey Trott from Bermuda 2-0 (21-14, 21-14). 

Nicaragua’s Ella Resau and Norma Brenes took 11th place by defeating Reanna Robinson and Nayelli Fergus from Saint Vincent 2-0 (21-6, 21-6), while Joanna Robinson and Luna Ebanks from the Cayman Islands secured 13th place by winning their match against Kirra Lambert and Sophia Peifer from the US Virgin Islands 2-1 (19-21, 21-16, 15-1).

Other results:

Arevalo/Aguilar (GUA) d Vigil/Tovar (ESA) 2-1 (21-19, 15-21, 15-9) and Cudmore/Hancock (CAN) d Badroe/Cottoy (TTO) 2-0 (21-10, 21-9).

Final positions:

1-Martinez/Connor (USA,) 2-Paniagua/Olivo (DOM1), 3-Drik/Paret (CUB), 4-Molina/Aguilar (CRC), 5-Cudmore/Hancock (CAN1), 6-Arevalo/Aguilar (GUA), 7-Vigil/Tovar (ESA), 8-Badroe/Cottoy (TTO), 9-Boutanos/Chipman (CAN2), 10-Trott/Trott (BER), 11- Resau/Brenes (NCA), 12-Reanna/Nayelli (VIN), 13-Robinson/Ebanks (CAY), 14-Lambert/Peifer (ISV), 15-Zoe/Anicaury (DOM2)