Canada advances to men’s and women’s final at beach volleyball qualifier

Canada is one win away from earning an Olympic berth in both men's and women's beach volleyball following semifinal victories on Friday at the Continental Cup.

In a men's semifinal, Canada defeated Cuba 3-0. Christian Redmann of Toronto and Ben Saxton of Calgary opened the match beating Karell Pina and Sergio Gonzalez 21-19, 21-19. Then Josh Binstock of Toronto and Martin Reader of Comox, B.C., defeated Yaismell Borrell and Yadrian Escobar 21-15-14 and Redmann and Saxton sealed the match bouncing Borrell and Escobar 21-15, 21-16.

The other semi between Mexico and Puerto Rico was later Friday.

In a women's semifinal, Canada also beat Cuba 3-0. Annie Martin of Sherbrooke, Que., and Marie-Andrée Lessard of Ville LaSalle, Que., opened with a 21-13, 21-15 win over Kirenia Ballard and Onayamis Sinal; Heather Bansley and Liz Maloney of Toronto beat Niriam Sinal and Ion Canet 21-17, 21-13 and Martin and Lessard defeated Sinal and Canet 21-12, 21-10.

Mexico and Puerto played their semifinal later Friday.

The finals are on Saturday.

The winner of the tournament in both men's and women's play earns a country quota spot for the London Games. The second and third finishers place travel to a last chance Olympic qualifier at the end of the month in Moscow.

If Canada gains an Olympic spot there will be a Canadian trial between the teams that are competing here this week on July 7 at Ashbriges Bay in Toronto.

For more information: www.volleyball.ca and www.fivb.org