Canada’s Sophie Bukovec and Tiadora Miric have officially qualified for the main draw of the Veracruz Challenge after a strong performance in the qualifiers of the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour. The Canadian duo defeated Japan’s Asami Shiba and Reika Murakami in straight sets, 2-0 (21-11, 21-14), to claim a spot in the 32-team main bracket.
This marks the pair’s first major return as teammates since their victory at the U21 World Championship in 2014. Bukovec, a 2022 World Championship silver medalist and Paris 2024 Olympian, demonstrated her experience by leading the match with 14 points. Miric, meanwhile, impressed on her senior tour debut, contributing 12 points to their opening win.
Other Canadian team Darby Dunn and Alison McKay also made it into the main draw with a two-set win over Americans Devanne Sours and Piper Ferch (21-18, 21-18). However, not all Canadian teams were successful. Dana Roskic & Emma Cudmore and Devin Corah & Ruby Sorra were eliminated during qualification.
Other Qualifiers Advancing
- Katja Stam & Raisa Schoon (Netherlands)
- Julia Kielak & Natalia Okla (Poland)
- Youna Coens & Ines Piret (Belgium)
- Allanis Navas & Maria Gonzalez (Puerto Rico)
- Shaunna Polley & Olivia MacDonald (New Zealand)
- Liisa Remmelg & Heleene Hollas (Estonia) – advanced by first-round bye
The main draw begins Thursday at 09:00 local time in Veracruz, Mexico. Bukovec and Miric face an immediate challenge as they go up against the tournament’s top seeds, Corinne Quiggle & Chloe Loreen of the United States.
The Veracruz Challenge is a key stop in the Beach Pro Tour, and also signifies the return of international beach volleyball to Mexico ahead of the 2025 season.
For more details, visit the official article on the Volleyball World website: Bukovec & Miric Storm Through Veracruz Qualifier.
