Thursday, 26 Dec 2024

Beach Update: FIVB Returns to Brazil

Four pairs of USAV beach athletes achieved gold medals last week on the FIVB World Tour and NORCECA Continental Tour. This impressive accomplishment included wins by Phil Dalhausser/Nick Lucena and April Ross/Kerri Walsh Jennings, marking the 14th time that Americans have swept gold on the FIVB World Tour.

Dalhausser and Lucena have been a formidable team, earning their fifth gold of Olympic qualification and eighth overall medal. Despite only playing in 10 tournaments together since last August, they have displayed exceptional skill and determination.

The provisional Olympic rankings have been updated following Dalhausser/Lucena’s gold in Fuzhou, China. The pair has moved up from 13th to seventh in the rankings, while Ross and Walsh Jennings have improved from eighth to sixth. Lauren Fendrick/Brooke Sweat remain at 13th, and Jennifer Kessy/Emily Day have fallen one slot to 16th. John Hyden/Tri Bourne’s impressive performance in Fuzhou and Xiamen has elevated them from 16th to 14th in the rankings.

In addition, Phil Dalhausser and Nick Lucena will be making an appearance on the Today Show on April 27th. They will showcase their volleyball skills on a sand court in Rockefeller Plaza, providing a unique opportunity for fans to watch and learn.

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On another note, the U.S. men’s point leaders, Jake Gibb and Casey Patterson, will be participating in the Fortaleza Open in Brazil. This event marks their return since placing fifth at the Qatar Open in April.

Five women’s teams will also be competing in Brazil, including Lane Carico and Summer Ross, who finished fifth in Fuzhou, China, last week. The other teams joining them are Kim DiCello/Kendra Vanzwieten, Irene Pollock/Caitlin Ledoux, Brittany Hochevar/Jennifer Fopma, and Emily Stockman/Amanda Dowdy.

The NORCECA Cayman Islands saw Trevor and Taylor Crabb repeating as gold medalists, while Betsi Flint and Kelley Larsen also secured the top prize. Flint/Larsen improved on their previous bronze medal in Tamarindo, while the Crabb brothers earned their fourth medal this season. Ed Ratledge and Ty Loomis won bronze in their first NORCECA event of the season.

Looking ahead, the AVP Huntington Beach Open will kick off on May 5th, offering an exciting beach volleyball event that is free and open to the public. The tournament will feature qualification rounds on Thursday, opening rounds on Friday, and the finals on Sunday, May 8th. Fans can catch the action on NBC Sports Network.

FAQs

Q: What are the provisional Olympic rankings based on?
A: The provisional Olympic rankings are based on a team’s 12 best finishes. Once a team meets the minimum number of events needed, they drop any lower finishes, increasing their new point total with the net gain from the higher finish.

Q: Where can I watch the AVP Huntington Beach Open?
A: The AVP Huntington Beach Open will be televised on NBC Sports Network on Sunday, from 4-5:30 p.m. ET.

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Conclusion

The beach volleyball scene is heating up with exciting victories and upcoming events. The success of American athletes like Phil Dalhausser, Nick Lucena, April Ross, and Kerri Walsh Jennings showcases their talent and dedication to the sport. Stay tuned for more thrilling matches and outstanding performances as the competition continues to unfold.

For more information on beach volleyball and updates on upcoming events, visit Alpinetgheep.