Crismil Paniagua and Yari Cleto made history by securing the Dominican Republic\u2019s first-ever gold medal on the Norceca Continental Beach Volleyball Tour, winning the women\u2019s title at the second stop of the 2026 circuit in G\u00fcibia Beach in the capital city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
During the event, 13 regional teams battled for one of the seven remaining spots at the Lima 2027 Pan American Games, while also earning valuable ranking points toward qualification for the Norceca Olympic Qualification Tournament in Puerto Rico, which closes on 31 August 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the win, the Dominican duo edged Canada\u2019s Darby Dunn and Alison McKay in a thrilling three-set final, 2-1 (22-20, 18-21, 15-13), on Sunday, 10 May 2026, in one of the most dramatic matches of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Dominican duo ended the tournament having surprisingly defeated all medal-winning teams from the opening stage in Costa Rica \u2013 the Canadians Darby Dunn and Alison and Torrey Van Winden\/Lindsay Sparks of the United States, and Susana Torres\/Abril Flores of Mexico.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The result marks a milestone for Dominican beach volleyball, as it is the country\u2019s first gold medal in the history of the Norceca Tour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To the delight of local fans, Dominican volleyball players showed their full strength. Paniagua and Cleto advanced to the final with a straight-sets victory over compatriots Bethania Almanzar and Julibeth Payano, 2-0 (21-19, 23-21). While Dunn and McKay rallied past Mexico\u2019s Susana Torres and Abril Flores in three sets, 2-1 (18-21, 21-14, 15-12).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Torres and Flores claimed the bronze medal, repeating their podium finish from the first stop in Costa Rica, after defeating Almanzar and Payano 2-1 (21-19, 15-21, 15-10).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
USA\u2019s Torrey Van Winden and Lindsey Sparks placed fifth with a 2-0 (21-17, 21-13) win over Nicaragua\u2019s Socorro L\u00f3pez and Lolette Rodr\u00edguez.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Puerto Rico\u2019s Mariana Feliciano and Camila Nazario finished seventh after defeating Costa Rica\u2019s Aliza Aguilar and Laura Molina in straight sets (21-18, 21-18). Cuba\u2019s Kailin Rodr\u00edguez and Maykelin Drik took ninth place, overcoming Canada\u2019s Anna Prokofieva and Claire Crossfield 2-1 (18-21, 21-11, 15-11).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Guatemala\u2019s Paola Alvarado and Daphne Mendoza secured eleventh place with a 2-1 (10-21, 22-20, 15-7) victory over Dominican pair Zoe Paniagua and Yerelin Reyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Norceca teams are:
\u2022 North America: United States, Canada, and Mexico.
\u2022 Central America: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Guatemala, and Honduras.
\u2022 The Caribbean: Dominican Republic, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Trinidad and Tobago.
\u2022 Eastern Caribbean (ECVA): Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Dominica, and Sint Maarten.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Read more: 14 May 2026<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Crismil Paniagua and Yari Cleto made history by securing the Dominican Republic\u2019s first-ever gold medal on the Norceca Continental Beach Volleyball Tour, winning the women\u2019s title at the second stop of the 2026 circuit in G\u00fcibia Beach in the capital city. During the event, 13 regional teams battled for one of the seven remaining spots … <\/p>\n
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