The Joao Pessoa Elite16 women's main draw has taken an unexpected turn, delivering plenty of drama and showcasing the intense competition on the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour 2025. Several top teams faltered in pool play, but none were willing to exit the tournament without a fight.
Shocking Pool Play Outcomes
Four of the tournament's top six teams were defeated during crucial winners’ pool matches on Friday. A notable upset came when Spain's Daniela Alvarez and Tania Moreno, ranked 12th, took down Brazil’s top-ranked Thamela Coradello and Victoria Lopes in straight sets (21-17, 21-17). This win granted the Spanish pair a direct entry into the round of 12.
Brazil’s Thamela and Victoria quickly rebounded, defeating the Czech duo of Marketa Svozilova and Marie-Sara Stochlova in two solid sets to advance. They now face a challenging round of 12 clash versus eighth-seeded Americans Terese Cannon and Megan Kraft.
World Champs vs Olympic Champs
One of the most anticipated matchups saw world champions Kelly Cheng and Molly Shaw edge Brazil’s Ana Patricia Ramos and Eduarda “Duda” Santos—Olympic gold medalists—in a hard-fought three-set thriller. Despite the loss, the Brazilian team earned their way to the next stage by overcoming U.S. qualifiers Corinne Quiggle and Chloe Loreen.
Key Upcoming Matchups
- Canada’s Melissa Humana-Paredes and Brandie Wilkerson will face Americans Kristen Nuss and Taryn Brasher in a notable round-of-12 showdown.
- Latvia's Tina Graudina and Anastasija Samoilova remain undefeated through pool play and look poised for a deep run.
Looking Ahead
With the round of 12 and quarterfinals set for Saturday, the field remains wide open. Early upsets have thrown the bracket into disarray, promising further excitement during the weekend matches. Every match going forward will test depth, composure, and chemistry among the remaining teams.
Joao Pessoa's Elite16 is proving to be one of the most unpredictable and competitive events on the tour, reinforcing that in beach volleyball, no win is guaranteed.
For full tournament details and updates, visit the official site here.
