Bansley and Maloney Keep their Chances Alive in Brazil

Kerri Walsh hits a shot past Elizabeth Maloney (Photo: FIVB)

The day started with a sweet revenge, as Elizabeth Maloney and Heather Bansley beat 2-0 (21-19, 21-19) the Germans Borger and Büthe, the same team that had eliminated Marie-Andree Lessard and Annie Martin yesterday at the opening stop on the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour, held in Brasilia, Brazil.

Next, the girls from Toronto had quite a challenge, the number one seeded and two-time Olympic champions Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh from The United States. Bansley and Maloney fought hard in the first set, losing 20-22. In the second, the experience of May-Treanor and Walsh made the difference as the Canadians lost 13-21.

Bansley and Maloney will continue to battle for more points in the circuit, targeting an Olympic berth. They are Canada’s sole entry in the women’s main draw in Brazil. Their victory in the first round keep their chances alive as they go through the lower bracket of the main draw, starting against Meppelink and van Gestel from The Netherlands.

The men’s qualifier is scheduled for tomorrow. Canada will be represented by four teams: Saxton-Redmann, Hatch-Schachter, Binstock-Reader, Zbyszewski-Schalk.