Lidianny Echevarría and Leila Martínez. Photo: Radio Rebelde (Taken from Radio COCO)

Havana, February 12 (RHC)-- Havana's Lázara Madan and Dayani Zerquera will try to reach the finals of the first phase of the Cuban Beach Volleyball Circuit, which is being played from February 9 to 14 on the sands of the world-famous Varadero beach resort, in Matanzas province.

Along with the capital, seven other couples of both sexes are competing, including Olympians Lidiannis Echevarría and Leila Martínez, favorites for the first place in the competition, which also has athletes of immediate perspective, and the national youth team, who have the opportunity to measure forces against couples of greater competitive experience.

From the venue of the event, Dayani Zerquera informed COCO radio station that, together with her teammate, she has prepared well, therefore, they will try to show their growth in each match and thus advance to the discussion of the place of honor, presumably against the well-known and favorites Leila and Lidianis.

He also said that since last December they have undertaken with interest a comprehensive training plan based on eradicating the deficiencies of the I Pan American Junior Games in Cali Valle, Colombia, where they were below their possibilities, so they have improved their effectiveness in attack, blocking and defense.

The provinces of Pinar del Rio, Mayabeque, Havana and Matanzas are represented in the competition. The competition is played on a round-robin basis, and the duos with the highest number of victories in both branches will reach the final.

The event is resumed after two years of absence due to the COVID-19, and its main purpose is the development of beach volleyball in preparation for the upcoming Central American and Caribbean Games in San Salvador and the Pan American Games in Santiago de Chile. Both international events will take place in 2023.

The second phase of the domestic beach volleyball circuit is scheduled to take place in the province of Ciego de Avila next March, prior to the start of the North, Central American and Caribbean (NORCECA) circuit, which will include the best Cuban duos of both sexes.