AVP Manhattan Beach Open qualifier results - Articles

The AVP Manhattan Beach Open got under way Thursday with qualifying rounds. Eight women’s and eight men’s pairs made it into the main draw. The 57th-annual tournament includes seven players that will be competing in the Rio Olympics: Phil Dalhausser/Nick Lucena, Jake Gibb/Casey Patterson and Lauren Fendrick/Brooke Sweat of the U.S., and Olaya Pazo, a member of Venezuela's first ever beach team to qualify for the Olympics. Other teams of note in Friday’s action include top-seeded Lane Carico/Summer Ross and the brothers pair Taylor Crabb/Trevor Crabb. The eight women’s teams that advanced Thursday: Q1 Katie Jameson/Tracie Jones Q24 Michelle Iafigliola/Jennifer Solm Q12 Nicolette Martin/Allie Wheeler Q4 Lynne Galli/Briana Hinga Q3 Meg Dawson/Delaney Knudsen Q27 Jess Clausen/Xi Zhang Q7 Lara Dykstra Kelly Schumacher Q15 Nicole Bateham/Kimberly Smith The first-time qualifiers were Jennifer Solm, Xi Zhang (even though it’s really not that surprising that a 2008 bronze-medalist qualified), Nicole Bateham, and Kimberly Smith. Nicolette Martin/Allie Wheeler won the intra-USC battle, defeating teammates Teresa Cannon/Jo Kremer 17-21, 21-18, 15-13. “Me and my beach partner of three years, Allie Wheeler, had great chemistry today and we were able to pull through some tough matches, especially at the end of the day against our own USC teammates Terese Cannon and Josephine Kremer,” Martin said. “We couldn't be more excited to play in the AVP Manhattan Beach tomorrow against some pretty amazing teams!” Lynne Galli/Briana Hinga, who have missed the main draw the last three events, were happy to advance. “Bri and I have been looking forward to a deep sand event...

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