April 27: Canada’s Natalia Casas and Julia McDougall of Nova Scotia earned a berth to the U18 2026 Beach Volleyball World Championship after picking up a silver medal yesterday in the qualifier event.

USA’s Lauren Leach and Janie McCanna captured the NORCECA U18 Beach Volleyball Qualifying Tournament gold medal in the girls' division, defeating McDougall/Casas 2-0 (21-9, 21-8) at Juan Dolio beach in Dominican Republic.

The bronze medal went to El Salvador's Fátima Rendón and Devora Medina, who defeated Keila Moreno and Ingrid Núñez of Costa Rica 2-0 (21-16, 21-12).

The five girls’ teams that qualified for the World Championship are from the United States, Canada, El Salvador, Costa Rica, and the Dominican Republic.

Canada’s Bruno Azevedo and Cameron Gibson (ON) finished just short of qualifying in sixth place in the boys’ division. The fifth spot was secured by Cael Greenidge and Joshua Ashby of Barbados after defeating Azevedo/Gibson 2-1 (18-21, 21-19, 15-13).

The American duo of Gavin Mortensen and Caden Phillips won the boys’ gold medal, defeating the host team of Francisco De Jesús and Franklin Segura 2-0 (21-18, 21-8) in the final.

Teams finishing fifth or higher qualified for the main draw of the U18 Beach Volleyball World Championships to be held in The Hague, Netherlands (July 8-12).

• Full results: www.norceca.net

Volleyball Canada media contact:
Jackie Skender
1.613.794.7676