Boca Chica Beach Volleyball Tournament reaches final phase – Volleyball news
The North American & Central and Caribbean Confederation (NORCECA) has organised the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Boca Chica, Dominican Republic.
The double-gender event was officially kicked off this past Saturday, 16th April and it is scheduled to cover its length on Thursday. There have been some exciting matches among teams from United States, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Mexico and
Puerto Rico.
In the women’s section, the Caribbean ladies from Cuba clawed their way to the final phase of the tournament, while joining them would be American duos who display an incredible show of beach volleyball.
Cuba vs. United States 3-1
Cuba and United Stated played with two teams apiece. In the first match of semi-final stage, the duo of Whitney Pavlik and Jenny Kropp of USA-B came across Caribbean pairing of Imara Estevez and Kirenia Reyna labelled as Cuba A.
The Americans did well against their counter-parts and settled for victory. The match was a complete ball of fury as both teams played with great tactics. However, the U.S. duo made a difference and claimed the match by posting 21-19 and 22-20 in two straight
sets.
In the next match, Cuba B jumped in the court to save their country’s reputation. Cuba B was comprised of brilliant Ion Canet and Niriam Sinal. They were scheduled to take on Lisa Rutledge and Ashley Ivy of USA-A. The Caribbean ladies totally dominated the
opponents and received huge applause for the audience. They exhibited a memorable performance and finished the match in two sets. Cuban team secured the first set at 21-13, while next stage brought the same fate for them. Caribbean team claimed by posting
21-17 in second set.
Next up was the charged-up American team of Pavlik and Kropp. They had already captured their previous match, which put them in a great rhythm. Nonetheless, Cuban team was also ready to rumble with the opponents. The match started out on a high note. Caribbean
team was aware of the potential of Americans.
Hence, they formulised a wonderful strategy. The first set progressed with close gap of points. The duo of Pavlik/Kropp hit convincing shots but Ivy/Rutledge also exhibited a prolific game. Cuba captured the opening set with a margin of 2 points (21-19).
The second set also came successful for Cuba as they worked out great shots and built a score of 21-17. The U.S. pair fell victim to Cuba’s heavy strike and lost the match.
In the last match, Estevez and Reyna of Cuba A edged out Ivy and Rutledge of USA-A in a three-set match. The Cuban confirmed their ambition for victory and scored 2-1 (27-25, 16-21, and 15-13) victory over American team.
Canada vs. Puerto Rico 3-1
In the first match, Annie Martin and Marie-Andree Lessard of Canada-A staged a great performance while playing against Beatriz Rivera and Tatiana Encarnacion of Puerto Rico-B. The Canadian duo heavily influenced the opponents and restricted them to a low
score. Puerto Rican team acknowledged the better status of Canadian team in two sets. They received 0-2 (8-21, 11-21) defeat.
Afterwards, Heather Bansley and Liz Maloney of Canada-B kicked things in the next match. They were put up with Puerto Rico-A, which comprised of Santiago and Dariam Acevedo. The Canadian duo claimed the match by sending 21-18 and 21-17 on board.
Then the duo of Bansley/Maloney clashed with other Puerto Rican team. Rivera/Encarnacion of Puerto Rico-B also collapsed in the hands of the strong Canadian duo. The scoreboard showed the final score of 2-0 (21-17, 21-11), while Canada-B was declared the
victorious side.
Puerto Rico-A created a bit of sensation in the last match and defeated CAN-A with the help of 27-25, 16-2 and 15-13. However, Canada had already paved its way to the final phase.
The final phase of the 2011 NORCECA Olympic Qualifier will now feature the Canadian and Cuban teams on Wednesday.
Tags: