Teams from Puerto Rico and Mexico, both significant beneficiaries of FIVB Volleyball Empowerment, once again demonstrated their formidable skills by securing multiple podium finishes at the recent Zapopan stop of the NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour. Held in the vibrant Guadalajara Metropolitan Area, the event saw remarkable performances from both nations.
In the women`s competition, the Puerto Rican duo of Maria Gonzalez and Allanis Navas clinched the coveted gold medal. Meanwhile, Mexico`s Jose Angel Cardenas and Jorman Osuna proudly earned the silver medal in the men`s event, keeping a significant prize on home soil. The women`s tournament podium was completed by Michelle Shaffer and Rachael Kramer from the USA, who secured silver, and Kailin Garrido and Maykelin Drik of Cuba, who took home the bronze. For the men, the USA`s Evan Cory and Derek Bradford claimed gold, while Cuba`s Damian Gomez and Eblis Veranes finished with bronze.
The Puerto Rican Volleyball Federation`s beach volleyball program has received substantial backing from FIVB Volleyball Empowerment, including USD 168,000 for coach support for their national duos, complemented by an additional USD 17,500 in beach volleyball equipment. Coach Angel Pena leads the Puerto Rican teams with expertise. At the Zapopan event, the second-seeded duo of Gonzalez and Navas showcased dominant form, progressing to the final without dropping a single set across four matches. They secured a commanding 2-0 (21-17, 21-13) victory against Canada`s third-seeded Akash Grewal and Katarina Pantovic in their semifinal. The final, however, presented a more intense challenge against the sixth-seeded Americans, Shaffer and Kramer, who won the first set. Undeterred, Gonzalez and Navas orchestrated an impressive 2-1 comeback (14-21, 21-18, 15-9) to triumph as tournament winners. This victory marks their fifth continental gold medal in five NORCECA Tour appearances this year, contributing to their impressive total of 18 Tour medals, half of which are gold.
In the other women`s semifinal, Shaffer and Kramer engaged in a hard-fought battle to defeat 10th-seeded Kailin and Drik with a 2-1 score (21-12, 17-21, 15-11), thereby securing a medal finish in their NORCECA Tour debut as a team. The 21-year-old Cuban pair, Kailin and Drik, then demonstrated resilience by bouncing back to claim the bronze medal, beating Grewal and Pantovic 2-0 (21-16, 21-19). This achievement marks their second continental medal, following another bronze earlier in the year.
Women’s Tournament Highlights
- Gold Medalists: Maria Gonzalez & Allanis Navas (Puerto Rico)
- Silver Medalists: Michelle Shaffer & Rachael Kramer (USA)
- Bronze Medalists: Kailin Garrido & Maykelin Drik (Cuba)
- Maria Gonzalez & Allanis Navas achieved their fifth continental gold in 2025.
- They now boast a total of 18 NORCECA Tour medals.
The Mexican national teams, covering both beach and indoor volleyball disciplines, have also been significant beneficiaries of FIVB Volleyball Empowerment, receiving a total of USD 1,328,000 in coach support to date. Furthermore, the Mexican federation has been granted USD 23,000 in beach volleyball equipment. Mexico’s men’s beach volleyball national duos train under the expert supervision of Argentinean coach Ruben Barrera and his dedicated staff.
At the Zapopan event, the 12th-seeded home pairing of Cardenas and Osuna suffered only two losses, both at the hands of the eventual champions, the fourth-seeded American duo of Cory and Bradford. After a decisive 2-0 (21-12, 21-13) sweep of their semifinal against Canada`s second-seeded Robert Kemp and Cameron Chadwick, the Mexican pair again faced Cory and Bradford in the final, ultimately settling for silver after a 2-0 (21-17, 21-19) defeat. This achievement marks their second medal in as many appearances together on the NORCECA Tour.
Cory and Bradford of the USA delivered an emphatic performance throughout the men`s tournament, dropping only a single set in six matches played. They proudly decorated their NORCECA Tour debut as a team with a gold medal. In the semifinals, they secured a convincing 2-0 (21-18, 21-14) victory over 10th-seeded Gomez and Veranes. The Cuban duo, Gomez and Veranes, then proceeded to claim the bronze medal with a 2-0 (21-14, 23-21) win over Kemp and Chadwick, marking their third consecutive continental medal.
Men’s Tournament Highlights
- Gold Medalists: Evan Cory & Derek Bradford (USA)
- Silver Medalists: Jose Angel Cardenas & Jorman Osuna (Mexico)
- Bronze Medalists: Damian Gomez & Eblis Veranes (Cuba)
- Cory & Bradford clinched gold in their NORCECA Tour debut as a team.
- Gomez & Veranes secured their third consecutive continental medal.
The Zapopan event brought together a robust field of competitors, featuring a total of 14 women’s teams and 15 men’s teams, representing 12 different national federations.
Looking ahead, the NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour will move to its eighth stop of 2025 in San Salvador, El Salvador, scheduled to take place from September 12 to 14.
Finley Blackwood 
Jasper Thornfield