Top Women duos begin with double victories

VERACRUZ, Mexico, November 26, 2014. – Top Women duos start off Pool Play actions with a double victory at the BVB Tournament of the XXII Central American and Caribbean Games at Veracruz, Mexico, that began at Magic Kingdom Park.

Host team Martha Revuelta and Bibiana Candelas won their both Pool F matches without setbacks. Revuelta/Candelas debuted beating Shari Carol Mathews/Anicia Wood of Barbados 2-0 (21-12, 21-16) and to Honduras Marissa Brady/Marie Etches 2-0 (21-8, 21-5).

“We are glad to be playing at home; we know the tournament isn’t easy. Our goal is to defend our title” said Bibiana Candelas.

Cuban Leila Martinez and Lianma Flores had no opposition in Pool H; they beat Jamie Farley/Amber Bennett of US Virgin Islands by 2-0 (21-2, 21-7) and Brenda Allen/Sanicia Dyer from St. Kitts and Nevis 2-0 (21-5, 21-10).

“Both performances helped us to put in practice our hard training for the Games and prepare us for what’s coming next” indicated Leila Martinez.

In Pool E Costa Rica’s Karen Cope and Natalia Alfaro had a strong performance winning to Tessa Payne/Rosemarie Simon of Antigua and Barbados 2-0 (21-8, 21-8) and to Nicaragua’s  Elia Machado and Lollette Rodriguez 2-0 (21-16, 21-9).

“We’re glad for today, we assured advancing to quarterfinals; we are mentally and physically prepared to go on further” said Natalia Alfaro.

Blanca Recinos/Lourdes Ramirez of Guatemala and Olaya Pazo/Norsbeth Agudo of Venezuela in Pool G finished unbeaten. Guatemala beat Jamaica’s Kai Wright/Vanessa Petal (21-6, 21-12) and St. Lucia’s Samantha Mann/Dania Hamilton (21-16, 21-14). Venezuela defeated St. Lucia (21-8, 21-4) and Jamaica (21-6, 21-8).

Also in Pool F, Trinidad and Tobago’s Nancy Joseph/Ayanna Dyette finished the day with a smile on their face with important performances. They battled hard to beat Honduras Marissa Brady/Marie Ethches 2-1 (21-17, 18-21, 15-8) and to Shari Carol Mathews/Anicia Wood of Barbados 2-0 (21-19, 21-17).

Ayanna Dyette said “this a huge step for us, we are extremely excited to be in the quarterfinals, it’s challenging to come out of the group on a high performance, doing the best for our country; we’re thankful to our Federation and our sponsor”.

On Thursday, teams will play their last pool play match, beginning with St. Lucia against Jamaica.

Women’s Results Wednesday November 26

Pool E CRC d ANT 2-0 (21-8, 21-8); NCA d ESA 2-1 (16-21, 23-21, 15-8); CRC d NCA 2-0 (21-16, 21-9); ESA d ANT 2-0 (21-11, 21-11).

Pool F MEX d BAR 2-0 (21-12, 21-16); TTO d HON 2-1 (21-17, 18-21, 15-8); TTO d BAR 2-0 (21-19, 21-17); MEX d HON 2-0 (21-8, 21-5).

Pool G VEN d LCA 2-0 (21-8, 21-4); GUA d JAM 2-0 (21-6, 21-12); GUA d LCA 2-0 (21-16, 21-14); VEN d JAM 2-0 (21-6, 21-8).

Pool H CUB d ISV 2-0 (21-2, 21-7); DOM d SKN 2-1 (21-13, 10-21, 15-8); CUB d SKN 2-0 (21-5, 21-10); ISV d DOM 2-1 (14-21, 24-22, 15-9).