NORCECA: Perfect Start in Grand Cayman

Four teams, two matches each, and a perfect 8-0 record for Canada on Day One of the NORCECA Grand Cayman tournament. 

Christian Redmann passes the ball to Felipe Humaña-Paredes in pool play during the NORCECA Grand Cayman tournament  Photo: NORCECA

On the women's side, two  teams formed at the last minute have provided instant chemistry. Canada-A, Claudia Séguin (Saint-Pascal-Baylon, On) and Alex Poletto (Toronto, On) opened with a 21-15, 21-15 win over Panama, and followed it up by dismantling Belize 21-15, 21-4. They face Trinidad & Tobago tomorrow in the final match of pool play .

Julie Gordon (Barrie, On) and Brandie Wilkerson (Toronto, On) are also playing together for the first time, and force is strong between this pair. First was a 21-19, 21-10 win over the Costa Ricans, then a 21-5, 21-10 clinic against Honduras. They close out pool play tomorrow against Jamaica. 

On the men's side, Felipe Humaña-Paredes (Toronto, On) might be new, but he and Christian Redmann (Oro Station, On) are getting the job done. First was a marathon win over USA-B Olson/Kolinske (21-18, 18-21, 19-17). The second went the limit as well, this time it was Trinidad & Tobago losing in third-set heartbreak, the newly formed pair of Canucks clinching the match 21-14, 21-23, 17-15, and will finish against the win-less Nicaraguans tomorrow.

Canada-B of Garrett May (Scarborough, On) and Daniel Dearing (Toronto, On) made much quicker work of their matches. Although USA-A of Burik/Toppel pushed them 23-21, 21-19, they charged through Guatemala 21-12, 21-10 on their way to take on the winless pair from Barbados in their final match of pool play tomorrow.