Canadians go 2-1 in beach volleyball
Pavan, Bansley's measured play gives Canadian duo edge in tight match
Canada's Sarah Pavan and Heather Bansley defeated the Netherlands in straight sets Sunday in preliminary Olympic beach volleyball action at the Rio Games.
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The Ontario team of Kitchener's Pavan, 29, and the 28-year-old Bansley from London had a challenge on their hands against the Dutch duo of Jantine van der Vlist and Sophie van Gestel, taking the match 21-15, 21-17.
The two Pool E sides went back and forth, trading points until the Canadians were able to gain a comfortable lead by maintaining the pressure. Pavan performed a superb block to set up match point in the second set and Canada was able to hang on for the victory.
Bansley used her powerful strikes to spread the floor while Pavan utilized her 1.96-metre height to help Canada take the first set 21-15.
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CAN?src=hash">#CAN</a> Sarah Pavan & Heather Bansley take the 1st set over the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NED?src=hash">#NED</a> in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BeachVolleyball?src=hash">#BeachVolleyball</a> <a href="https://t.co/RMoZ7RLeV5">https://t.co/RMoZ7RLeV5</a> <a href="https://t.co/YdzxqUkAtl">https://t.co/YdzxqUkAtl</a>
—@CBCOlympicsPavan used to play the indoor version of the sport, but traded hardcourt for sand after Canada's volleyball squad failed to qualify for the London Games.
The difference in the match was Canada's determined defence as they managed 17 digs to Netherlands' seven. Pavan and Banslry were 21-for-39 on attacks while van der Vlist and van Gestel went 19-for-43.
Broder and Valjas rally to victory
Canadians Jamie Broder and Kristina Valjas came from behind to beat Italians Marta Menegatti and Laura Giombini 15-21, 21-18, 15-9 Sunday night.
Canada got off to a quick start in the final set, jumping out to a 6-1 lead against the Italian side.
Saxton, Schalk fall in thriller
Canadians Ben Saxton and Chaim Schalk dropped a three-set thriller to will Latvia's Aleksandrs Samoilovs and Janis Smedins in their first match of the Games.
Latvia took the first set by a 21-17 score but the Canadian side rebounded in the second set, taking it 21-18.
The Canadians went up by two late in the third set before Latvia rallied for three straight points and the match.
Saxton struggled at the line, with seven service faults. Schalk, meanwhile, was strong defensively, making eight digs.
The Latvians would convert and win the match when Schalk's soft attack went wide.
The Canadian duo's next match is against Brazilian's Junior Evandro and Pedro Solberg Tuesday morning.
With files from The Canadian Press