Canada's Humana-Paredes, Wilkerson clinch 2028 Olympic berth in beach volleyball

Melissa Humana-Paredes and Brandie Wilkerson clinched an Olympic beach volleyball berth for Canada on Sunday, sweeping Americans Megan Kraft and Kelly Cheng in the women’s final at the NORCECA continental qualifier in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico.

The Paris 2024 silver medallists beat the previously undefeated U.S. duo 21-16, 27-25 at the Areia Sports Complex to secure NORCECA's lone direct women's berth for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

The quota spot belongs to Canada, with the athletes to be named through the national selection process.

The Canadians needed several match points to close out a marathon second set. Wilkerson's kill made it 26-25 before the Americans couldn't keep Humana-Paredes's serve alive on the final point.

"It feels incredible to have secured something of this magnitude at this point in the season and in the Olympic qualification process," Humana-Paredes said. "I think this tournament was really hard for us, so just winning this tournament always feels good, and having that extra bonus of qualifying for the Olympics is wonderful.

"We can go into our off-season knowing we did great work and we'll prepare for next season."

The Toronto duo didn't lose a set in the knockout rounds, beating Mexico’s Susana Torres and Abril Flores 21-12, 21-18 in 40 minutes in the semifinals earlier Sunday.

The Mexicans had won Pool A with a 4-0 record, including a 23-21, 21-11 win over the top-seeded Puerto Rican duo of Allanis Navas and Keishlyann Sanchez.

Humana-Paredes and Wilkerson defeated T’ara Austin and Taylor Buckner of the U.S. Virgin Islands 21-11, 21-16 in the quarterfinals.

The third-seeded Canadians finished second in Pool B at 3-1, with their lone loss coming against the second-seeded Americans. Canada was