Ukraine’s Maryna Hladun and Tetiana Lazarenko pulled off a remarkable upset at the Yucatan Challenge on the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour. The 16th-seeded duo shocked Brazil’s top-seeded Carol Solberg and Rebecca Cavalcanti in straight sets (21-13, 21-15), securing a direct spot in the eighthfinals.
The Ukrainians dominated with their aggressive serving, recording 10 aces while their Brazilian opponents failed to produce a single one. Their victory over Solberg and Cavalcanti followed another commanding win against Italy’s Reka Orsi Toth and Giada Bianchi.
Historic Achievement
Hladun and Lazarenko became the lowest-seeded team to advance directly to the knockout stage. Meanwhile, Carol and Rebecca, along with Orsi Toth and Bianchi, moved into the sixteenthfinals.
Other Pool Winners
The following teams also won their groups and secured a place in the eighthfinals:
- Spain: Daniela Alvarez & Tania Moreno
- Austria: Dorina Klinger & Ronja Klinger
- USA: Julia Scoles & Lexy Denaburg
Elimination rounds are scheduled for Friday, where top teams will battle for a spot in the quarterfinals.
Read more on the official Volleyball World website.
