The NORCECA U21 Beach Volleyball Championships recently concluded in Juan Dolio, Dominican Republic, showcasing emerging talent from across the region. Among the standout performances, Puerto Rico`s women`s duo, Miabella Musignac and Alanis Nieves, claimed a commendable silver medal, marking a significant achievement supported, in part, by the FIVB Volleyball Empowerment program.
Entering the tournament as the 13th seed in the women`s main draw, Musignac and Nieves defied expectations. Their path to the final included winning four matches in straight sets. A particularly notable victory was their 2-0 (21-13, 21-19) upset in the semifinal against the second-seeded team from Costa Rica, Laura Molina & Sofia Vega. This win guaranteed them a place on the podium and a shot at the gold medal.
Their only losses throughout the competition came against the eventual champions, Zoey Henson and Sarah Wood of the USA. The American pair demonstrated clinical efficiency, winning all their matches in straight sets, including the final against Musignac & Nieves with scores of 21-13, 21-11. Canada`s Ofure Odigie and Ruby Sorra secured the bronze medal, defeating the Costa Rican semifinalists 2-0.
The success of the Puerto Rican team is notably linked to the support received through the FIVB Volleyball Empowerment initiative. The Federacion Puertorriquena de Voleibol`s beach volleyball program has benefited from substantial funding, including USD 168,000 allocated for coach support for national teams and an additional USD 17,500 for equipment. Coach Angel Pena oversees the training of these athletes. This investment clearly played a role in enabling the team, particularly the 13th-seeded pair, to compete at a high level and achieve a podium finish at a continental championship.
In the men`s tournament at the same event, the USA also claimed the gold medal. The American pair of Malachi Brewington and Titus Lance finished undefeated, overcoming Costa Rica`s Julian Araya and Esteban Gonzalez 2-0 (21-11, 21-14) in the final. The Costa Ricans had reached the final by upsetting the top-seeded home favorites, Melvin de Jesus and Ramon de Jesus of the Dominican Republic, in their semifinal match. The Dominican duo recovered to secure the bronze medal, defeating Canada`s Louis Charbonneau and Henry Heider 2-0.
The championships in Juan Dolio featured a broad representation, with 15 women`s and 15 men`s teams from 18 national federations competing. Puerto Rico`s silver medal performance, especially from a lower seed, underscores the impact that targeted support programs like FIVB Empowerment can have on athlete development and achieving competitive results on the international stage.
Rupert Caldwell