Canada heads to women’s beach volleyball semifinals

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 18/07/2015 (4068 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

TORONTO — After a fourth consecutive straight-set victory, it’s on to the Pan American Games beach volleyball semifinals for Winnipeg’s Taylor Pischke.

Before a packed house of about 5,000 supporters, the 22-year-old University of Manitoba student and her partner, Melissa Humana-Paredes of Toronto, cruised past Costa Ricans Natalia Alfaro and Karen Cope in the quarter-finals Saturday — 21-12, 21-12 in just 37 minutes.

“It was hard because we had two days off and they had just played last night, so they were really fresh and really on their game,” the six-footer said, referring to how the Canadians had a bye into the quarter-finals because they won their group while their opponents had to win an elimination game Friday to advance.

“So we knew that we had to be focused all day yesterday and all day (Saturday) and really come out and just execute our game plan. Stay focused and just take care of our side. And I think we did that.”

Pischke added looking back on the tournament so far, she’s surprised at how her side has yet to drop a set.

“I think we’re just playing well and the results are taking care of themselves. But we can’t really take that too lightly because (today) is going to be another day.”

Pischke and Humana-Paredes will face their sternest test yet in today’s semifinal against the Cuban pair Lianna Flores and Leila Martinez, who were among the pre-tournament favourites for a medal.

“They’re a really tough opponent, so we’re ready for that,” said Pischke, whose father, Garth, is the longtime coach of the University of Manitoba men’s volleyball team and a two-time Olympian. “We’ve played them twice before and it’s always been a battle, going three sets every time. So you can expect a really good game.”

Earlier Saturday, the Canadian men’s tandem of Josh Binstock and Samuel Schachter were eliminated from medal contention after losing 21-19, 26-24 to Mexicans Rodolfo Ontiveros and Juan Virgin. That means it’s now up to Pischke and Humana-Paredes to carry the Canadian flag in beach volleyball.

“I try not to think about that too much,” explained Pischke, who with her partner are ranked 17th in the world, following a placement of ninth at the recent world championship. “I started watching their game this afternoon, but I got too nervous so I had to shut it off. I wish that they would have won… but Mexico is a really good team so it’s tough.”

No Canadian women’s team has won a Pan American Games medal before, three times finishing fourth. Pischke said she’s aware of that history, but is not spending much time thinking about it.

“Hopefully we can get a medal and beat that record. But we’re just focusing on (today) and winning that match and then we’ll put ourselves in a position to do it.”