Fendrick, Hanson Make it to Main Draw

B.J. Hoeptner Evans
Manager, Media Relations and Publications
Phone: (719) 228-6800
E-Mail: bj.evans@usav.org

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (April 18, 2011) – The U.S. women’s beach volleyball team of Lauren Fendrick (Carlsbad, Calif.) and Brooke Hanson (Woodland Hills, Calif.) qualified for the main draw on Monday at the Brasilia Open, the first event of the 2011 SWATCH FIVB World Tour.

Fendrick and Hanson, who advanced to the qualifying round by defeating their compatriots Brittany Hochevar (Fowler, Colo.) and Jen Fopma (Bellflower, Calif.) in a country quota match on Sunday, opened Monday by beating Argentina’s 11th-seeded Gabriela Albano and Luciana Forguez, 21-12, 21-11 in 30 minutes.

In their second match, Fendrick and Hanson, ranked fifth in the qualifying round, topped Brazil’s 12th-seeded Luana Madeira and Liliane Maestrini, 21-14, 21-19 in 35 minutes.

“It’s always very good to compete in Brazil where we can play most of the world’s best teams,” Hanson said. “To defeat a Brazilian team on their home court is very, very special for us. Last year I finished fifth here with Lisa Rutledge, which helps me play with even more confidence. And, just like last year, I had to win a country quota playoff match as well.”

The women’s main draw will begin on Tuesday, as will the men’s qualification round. Casey Patterson (Van Nuys, Calif.) and Brad Keenan (Westminster, Calif.) will be the lone U.S. men’s team to compete in the qualifying round. The men’s main draw will begin on Wednesday.

Complete information about the FIVB World Tour is available on the FIVB web site.

Tags: Beach, Beach Volleyball, Brooke Hanson, FIVB World Tour, Lauren Fendrick