Fonoimoana and Martin dominate on first day at Aguascalientes

AGUASCALIENTES, Mexico, April 19, 2019. – Falyn Fonoimoana and Nicolette Martin of United States dominated on the first day of competition at the first stop of the NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour in Aguascalientes.

After their spectacular 2-0 (21-15, 21-16) win against fellow country women Amanda Dowdy and Corinne Quiggle, Fonoimoana and Martin stormed 2-0 (21-11, 21-16) over Swan Mendoza and Lolette Rodríguez of Nicaragua in pool B to move smoothly into the next round.

Dowdy and Quiggle recovered by beating 2-0 (21-13, 21-5) La-Teisha Joseph and Malika Davidson of Trinidad and Tobago.

Top seeded Martha Revuleta and Zaira Orellana had no difficulties in beating 2-0 (21-13, 21-12) Melanie Valenciana and Amber Bennett of U.S. Virgin Islands and managing to control a tight start 2-0 (25-23, 21-5) to Jessica Wolfenden/Marissa Harrison of Cayman Islands in pool A.

The Curacao tandem of Angjeny Tolentino and Chritsine Anthony also stands undefeated in pool A, after winning to 2-0 (21-18, 21-14) Valenciana/Bennet (ISV) and grabbing an important victory to Jessica Wolfenden and Marissa Harrison of Cayman Islands by a thrilling 2-1 (18-21, 21-19, 15-11).

The surprise of the day came when young Mexican team of Diana Valdez and María José Quintero prevailed in exciting three sets 2-1 (21-12, 21-23, 17-15) over Canada’s Julie Gordon and Shanice Marcelle in pool C, who earlier beat Paola Alvarado and Estefanie Bethancourt of Guatemala by 2-0 (21-6, 21-19).

Diana Valdez and María José Quintero also won against Brenda Allen and Shanicia Dyer of St. Kitts and Nevis 2-0 (21-8, 21-12). Guatemalans Alvarado and Bethancourt earned a 2-0 (21-13, 21-8) victory to Allen/Dyer.

Cubans Maylen Deliz and Leila Martínez defeated the two Central American teams in pool D. First they dispatched Costa Rica’s Valeria Valenciano and Marcela Araya 2-0 (21-16, 21-17) and Kathya Vásquez alongside María Fernanda Vargas of El Salvador by 2-0 (22-20, 21-11).

Both, Vásquez/Vargas (ESA) and Valenciano/Araya (CRC) prevailed in tie-break over Canada-B of Anna Dunn-Suen and Caleigh Cruickshank. Vásquez and Vargas won 2-1 (23-21, 16-21, 15-9), while Valenciano and Araya downed Dunn-Suen and Cruickshank 2-1 (21-15, 19-21, 15-12).

Pool play resumes on Saturday, followed by the quarterfinals. Semis and Finals will take place on Sunday.

Results Women Friday:

Pool A: CUR d ISV 2-0 (21-18, 21-14); MEX-A d ISV 2-0 (21-13, 21-12); CUR d CAY 2-1 (18-21, 21-19, 15-11); MEX-A d CAY 2-0 (25-23, 21-5).

Pool B: NCA d TTO 2-0 (21-13, 21-14); USA-B d USA-A 2-0 (21-15, 21-16); USA-A d TTO 2-0 (21-13, 21-5); USA-B d NCA 2-0 (21-11, 21-16).

Pool C:  MEX-B d SKN 2-0 (21-8, 21-12); CAN-A d GUA 2-0 (21-6, 21-19); MEX-B d CAN-A 2-1 (21-12, 21-23, 17-15); GUA d SKN 2-0 (21-13, 21-8).

Pool D: ESA d CAN-B 2-1 (23-21, 16-21, 15-9); CUB d CRC 2-0 (21-16, 21-17); CUB d ESA 2-0 (22-20, 21-11); CRC d CAN-B 2-1 (21-15, 19-21, 15-12).