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Sunday, April 26, 2026
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Gazzard & Weikl Top-8 Finish after Resilient Dominican Run
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Bermuda’s Olivia Gazzard and Sophie Weikl have concluded their 2026 NORCECA Under-18 World Championship qualifying campaign with an eighth-place finish, marking a significant step forward for the island’s beach volleyball program.
While the final day in the Dominican Republic brought two tough defeats against high-seeded opposition, the Bermudian duo can hold their heads high after improving on last year’s tenth-place standing and gaining vital experience.
The final day of action in Juan Dolio began with high stakes in the quarter-final losers' semi-final. A victory for Gazzard and Weikl would have guaranteed a top-six finish, but they faced a daunting task against the tournament’s third seeds, Zoe Paniagua Portorreal and Yerelin Carlenis Reyes Montero.
The Dominican pair, playing in front of a vocal home crowd, utilized their height advantage and familiarity with the coastal conditions to dictate the tempo. Despite a spirited defensive effort from the Bermudians, the hosts secured a 2–0 victory (21–13, 21–10) in a 31-minute battle, relegating Gazzard and Weikl to the seventh-place play-off.
In their final outing of the tournament, the Bermuda pair found themselves in a familiar position, facing the fourth-seeded Puerto Rican duo of Ana Isabel Barcias Aponte and Coralys Perez Ortiz—opponents they had already encountered during a grueling Pool C schedule.
The familiarity between the two teams led to several long, tactical rallies, but the Puerto Ricans proved more clinical at the net. In a match that mirrored the morning session's duration, Aponte and Ortiz claimed a 2–0 win (21–13, 21–12) to secure seventh place.
Despite the final-day results, the tournament represents a clear upward trajectory for the Bermudian pair. Moving from tenth in the region to eighth within a year demonstrates the development of Gazzard and Weikl as a partnership.
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Saturday, April 25, 2026
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Gazzard & Weikl Quarter-Final Berth before falling to Top Seeds
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Bermuda’s Olivia Gazzard and Sophie Weikl produced a resurgent performance on the second day of the 2026 NORCECA Under 18 Women’s Beach Volleyball World Championship Qualifiers, clinching a vital victory to reach the knockout stages in the Dominican Republic.
After a challenging opening day on the sands of Juan Dolio, the Bermudian duo found their rhythm in their final Pool C encounter to keep their dreams of a World Championship spot alive.
Facing the Cayman Islands pairing of Julissa Kelly and Safirah Barbosa Cardenas, Gazzard and Weikl delivered a clinical display of serving and net presence. The Bermudian pair dominated from the outset, moving their opponents across the court with tactical precision to take the first set comfortably.
They maintained their intensity in the second, wrapping up a comprehensive 21–12, 21–7 victory in just 27 minutes. The win was essential for their progression, securing their place among the final eight teams in the tournament.
The reward for their pool play recovery was a formidable Quarter-Final showdown against the tournament’s number one seeds, Lauren Leach and Janie McCanna of the United States. Despite the gap in the rankings, Gazzard and Weikl refused to be intimidated by the American powerhouse. In a high-octane 25-minute battle, the Bermudians pushed the top seeds in the second set, showcasing the defensive resilience that has become their trademark on the regional circuit.
Ultimately, the technical depth of the United States pair proved the difference, with Leach and McCanna securing a 2–0 victory with scores of 21–9 and 21–18. While the defeat ends their immediate run in the main bracket, the second-set scoreline against the world-class American duo serves as a significant statement of intent. Gazzard and Weikl will now move into the placement rounds, still vying for the highest possible finish as they look toward the World Championships in the Netherlands this July.
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Friday, April 24, 2026
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Bermuda’s Beach Duo Fall in Dominican Republic Openers
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 Bermuda’s Olivia Gazzard and Sophie Weikl have faced a baptism of fire at the 2026 NORCECA Under 18 Women’s Beach Volleyball World Championship Qualifiers, dropping their opening two pool matches in the Dominican Republic. With the top five teams in Juan Dolio set to secure a coveted ticket to the World Championships in the Netherlands this July, the stakes could not be higher on the scenic Caribbean sands.
Drawn in a challenging Pool C, the Bermudian pair opened their account against the fourth-seeded Puerto Rican duo of Ana Isabel Barcias Aponte and Coralys Perez Ortiz. In a 33-minute battle of attrition, Gazzard and Weikl showed glimpses of the chemistry developed over two years of partnership but were ultimately undone by the clinical finishing of their opponents, falling 21–14, 21–16.
The schedule offered little respite for the islanders, who were back on court shortly after to face the third seeds from the host nation, Zoe Paniagua Portorreal and Yerelin Carlenis Reyes Montero. Despite a resilient second-set push that saw the match extend to 38 minutes, the Dominican pair utilised their home-court advantage to seal a 2–0 victory with scores of 21–15 and 21–17.
While the two defeats leave Gazzard and Weikl with an uphill climb to reach the knockout stages, their performances against high-ranking seeds demonstrate a significant step forward in tactical discipline. Having finished 10th in last year’s qualifiers, the duo will be looking to regroup in their remaining pool play matches as they chase the best possible ranking in a field featuring 14 of the region’s powerhouse nations.
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Tuesday, April 21, 2026
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Bermuda’s Beach Duo Set for Dominican Return
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The Bermuda Volleyball Association (BVA) has confirmed that rising stars Olivia Gazzard and Sophie Weikl will return to international sand this month, spearheading the island’s charge at the 2026 NORCECA U18 Women’s Beach Volleyball World Championship Qualifiers.
The duo returns to the Dominican Republic with renewed confidence following a breakout 2025 campaign. Last year, the pair secured an impressive 10th-place finish against the region's heavyweights, a result that signaled Bermuda’s growing intent on the junior circuit and placed them just outside the bracket for the FIVB World Championships.
Since that historic run, both athletes have undergone rigorous individual development. Weikl has spent the last twelve months at the high-performance RPS Academy in Florida, while Gazzard has been honing her tactical discipline with the Paradise Hitters indoor program.
The pair reunited during the recent spring break, working under the watchful eye of National Beach Team Head Coach Ben Barnett to re-establish a partnership built over two years of shared court time.
"We’re excited to see Gazzard and Weikl compete together again," said Coach Lisa LeBlanc, who will accompany the team to the Caribbean. "They’ve grown both their physical and mental game since last year, and I expect them to show that progress against strong competition."
The task ahead remains formidable. Standing between the Bermudians and a spot on the world stage are powerhouse programs from the USA, Canada, and Costa Rica, alongside regional rivals Barbados and the Cayman Islands.
"Representing Bermuda means a lot to us," Gazzard said ahead of the April 24th - 26th event. "We’re excited for the opportunity to compete at this level and continue growing as players."
Weikl echoed those sentiments, adding: "We’re striving for the best possible results. We want to gain meaningful experience and continue growing both individually and as a team."
As the BVA continues to strengthen its international presence, all eyes will be on the Dominican sand this weekend to see if this seasoned duo can translate their year of preparation into a historic qualification.
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Thursday, April 02, 2026
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Gazzard & Weikl to Lead Bermuda in Dominican Republic
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The North, Central America and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation (NORCECA) has officially released its beach volleyball schedule for April, with Bermuda’s youth talent set to take center stage in the Dominican Republic.
While no Bermudian teams are slated to compete in the season-opening Continental Tour stop in Costa Rica from 16 to 20 April, the island's focus shifts to the developmental ranks later in the month.
Bermuda will be well-represented at the Under-18 Girls Championships Qualification Tournament, held in Juan Dolio, Dominican Republic, from 24 to 26 April. The event serves as a high-stakes gateway to the global stage, with the region’s top youth pairings battling for a coveted spot at the World Championships.
Representing the Gombey flag in the Women’s Division are the promising duo of Olivia Gazzard and Sophie Weikl. The pair are no strangers to the international sand, having previously gained invaluable experience competing at the NORCECA U18 level in 2025.
Gazzard and Weikl, both products of the Bermuda Volleyball Association’s dedicated youth pipeline, will face a daunting field of regional powerhouses, including teams from the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
The decision to focus on the Under-18 qualifier underscores the BVA’s current strategy of prioritizing long-term athlete development. By testing Gazzard and Weikl against the best in the NORCECA region, the association aims to accelerate their transition into senior international competition.
With the first serve in Juan Dolio just weeks away, the duo will be looking to build on their previous 9th-place regional finish and secure a historic qualification for Bermuda on the world stage.
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