U.S. Looks to Improve on NORCECA Medal Finish

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Oct. 30, 2024) – The latest beach update includes medal results on the international and continental circuits, and a return to NORCECA competition this week in Bonaire. The AVP league also wrapped up its third-to-last stop on its first ever tour.

NORCECA Bonaire and Honduras 

NORCECA Bonaire is scheduled to run Nov. 1-3.

The U.S. is sending two men’s pairs and two women’s pairs to Bonaire. For the women, Carly Kan and Devanne Sours will compete alongside Jade Race and Kaeli Crews.

For the men, Jake Urrutia and Wyatt Harrison will represent the U.S. with Charlie Siragusa and John Schwengel.

The U.S. pairs traveling to Bonaire will look to follow up four medals earned in the prior NORCECA tour event in Honduras on Oct. 20. Dave Wieczorek and Lev Priima earned the second step of the podium for the men. En route to the silver medal, they defeated fellow U.S. pair Diego Perez and Ryan Ierna 2-1 (21-16, 16-21, 20-18) in the semis. Perez/Ierna rebounded in the third place match, defeating Bryce Mayer and Tyler Penberthy (ISV) 2-0 (21-14, 21-18) to secure the bronze medal.

It was also a 2-3 finish for the U.S. women after another all-U.S. semifinal. Tiffany Svenssohn and Katie Lindstrom met Jade Race and Rachel Kramer in their semi, with Svenssohn/Lindstrom advancing to the final on a 2-0 win (21-14, 21-16). Race/Kramer stayed on track and earned a bronze medal in their debut as a pair by defeating Sofia Vega and Eugenia Ramirez (CRC) 2-0 (21-10, 21-19).

Full Results

Bonaire continues a packed autumn of NORCECA tournaments, with two more events left to end the year.

Elite 16 Joao Pessoa

The U.S. also earned a medal finish at Elite 16 Joao Pessoa. It was the first Elite 16 event since Hamburg on Aug. 21.

Kim Hildreth and Teegan Van Gunst earned bronze in the women’s tournament, rebounding from a loss in the semis to defeat fellow U.S. duo Lexy Denaburg and Deahna Kraft 2-0 (21-18, 21-14). Denaburg/Kraft finished just off the podium in fourth place, continuing their trend of top-five finishes in BPT Futures events. This is the first medal for Hildreth/Van Gunst as a pair since 2023 BPT Futures Halifax where they earned silver.

The final Elite 16 event before the BPT Finals will be in Rio De Janeiro Nov. 6-10.

AVP League

The AVP League made its third-to-last stop over the weekend at the Honda Center in Anaheim. It was a big weekend for the San Diego Smash (Geena Urango, Toni Rodriguez, Chase Budinger, Miles Evans) who went 3-1 including an upset on the women’s side over the Austin Aces (Taryn Kloth, Kristen Nuss, Paul Lotman, Billy Allen) to keep hopes alive for the Smash to earn a berth in the championship on Nov. 9-10 at Dignity Health Sports Park in Los Angeles.

The Smash also recorded the longest set in the AVP League’s young history during its third and final win on Sunday. With matches going to 15 in the AVP League, Evans/Budinger defeated the Miami Mayhem (Phil Dalhausser and Avery Drost) by including a 21-19 overtime first set.

“It was a great turnaround weekend for us,” Budinger said. “Last tournament we went 0-4. This weekend we came out, got our rhythm, were able to side out, play some tough sets, and we were able to pull those tough sets out to get the wins.”

“Just tried to stay focused and not let the other team get any freebies,” Evans added. “No unforced errors and really make sure that they earn their points.”

The New York Nitro (Kelly Cheng, Sara Hughes, Taylor Crabb, Taylor Sander) went .500 on the weekend, which was good enough to clinch the top seed. The Smash, The Aces and the LA Launch (Betsi Flint, Julia Scoles, Troy Field, Tim Bomgren) are all still mathematically alive to qualify for a spot in the final.

The Launch will join The Aces, The Smash, and The Dallas Dream (Miles Partain, Andy Benesh, Hailey Harward, Kylie Deberg) this weekend in Dallas for the final stop of the regular season.