Tuesday, 16 Jul 2024

Not Two Be for Beach National Team

CANCUN, Mexico (Monday, April 19, 2021) – Two U.S. women’s beach teams and three men’s teams put up a strong fight in the first of three tournaments at the FIVB’s Cancun hub on Sunday. Although they finished in ties for ninth place, their performances showcased their skill and determination.

American Teams Make Their Mark

Five American duos made it to round two of the tournament held at the Grand Oasis Cancun resort. Although they couldn’t advance to round three, they left their mark on the competition. One notable victory came from Phil Dalhausser and Nick Lucena, who managed to win a set against the world No. 1 pair from Norway, Anders Mol and Christian Sorum. Despite a tight third set, the Norwegians ultimately pulled ahead for a 2-1 (21-15, 15-21, 15-12) win.

Dalhausser and Lucena’s success against tough opponents didn’t stop there. Earlier in the tournament, they triumphed over the world No. 3 duo, Alison and Alvaro Filho from Brazil, securing their spot in the next round. Chaim Schalk and Theo Brunner also contributed to the team’s success by defeating Alison and Alvaro Filho in pool play.

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Tri Bourne and Trevor Crabb added to the American victory count by defeating the highly-ranked Brazilian pair Evandro and Bruno Schmidt to win their pool. Both Taylor Crabb and Jake Gibb, as well as Alix Klineman and April Ross, made it to round two for the men’s and women’s teams respectively. Unfortunately, Schalk and Brunner, as well as Brooke Sweat and Kerri Walsh Jennings, were eliminated in the first round of the knockout stage.

Olympic Ranking Points

Despite not making it to the top spots, four teams earned valuable Olympic Ranking points. Kelley Kolinske and Emily Stockman, Taylor Crabb and Jake Gibb, Tri Bourne and Trevor Crabb, and Phil Dalhausser and Nick Lucena all secured points by reaching round two. Kolinske and Stockman gained 40 points, closing the gap between them and the third-place American team, Kelly Claes and Sarah Sponcil.

The teams of Taylor Crabb and Jake Gibb, Tri Bourne and Trevor Crabb, and Phil Dalhausser and Nick Lucena also earned 40, 80, and 160 points respectively. Dalhausser and Lucena extended their lead for the second American Olympic qualification spot by 120 points. However, securing an Olympic berth will also depend on their overall finish in the global Olympic Rankings. They also made progress in catching up to Taylor Crabb and Jake Gibb, who currently hold the top-ranking among American duos.

Looking Ahead

The U.S. Beach National Team remains committed and determined to bounce back in the second tournament of the Cancun hub. The upcoming country quota matches on Wednesday, April 21, and the qualification for the main draw a day later offer new opportunities for the American teams to prove their skill and fight for victory.

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FAQs

Q: When is the second tournament of the Cancun hub taking place?
A: The second tournament of the Cancun hub will start with country quota matches on Wednesday, April 21, followed by qualification for the main draw a day later.

Q: How did Phil Dalhausser and Nick Lucena perform in the first tournament?
A: Phil Dalhausser and Nick Lucena showed great determination and skill in the first tournament. They secured a victory against the world No. 1 pair from Norway and advanced to round two.

Conclusion

The first tournament at the FIVB’s Cancun hub showcased the talent and resilience of the U.S. Beach National Team. Despite finishing in ties for ninth place, the American duos fought hard and made their mark on the competition. With the second tournament approaching, the team remains focused on their goal of securing victory and Olympic qualification. Stay tuned for more updates on their journey to the top.

For more information on the U.S. Beach National Team, visit Alpinetgheep.