Sardinia, Italy. October 8, 2021: Canada went 4-0 in pool play at the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour Finals in Cagliari, Sardinia, to advance directly to the semifinals.

A 2-1 (13-21, 21-14, 15-11) win for Sarah Pavan (Kitchener, ON) and Melissa Humana-Paredes (Toronto, ON) over USA’s Sarah Sponcil and Kelly Claes today secured their spot at the top of Pool B. Canada defeated Netherlands, Brazil and Switzerland, all in two sets, along with the three-set comeback victory in today’s match over the United States in pool competition.

Russia’s Nadezda Makroguzova and Svetlana Kholomina advanced directly to the other semi-final after winning Pool A. Russia and Canada will face the quarterfinal winners on Saturday in the semis.

In each gender, the 10 participating teams in the World Tour Finals were split into two single round-robin pools of five. The pool stage of the tournament was played from Wednesday through Friday. The pool winners advance straight to Saturday’s semifinals, while each of the two pool runners-up will have to go against the third-placed team of the other pool in the quarterfinal games, also on Saturday. Sunday’s schedule includes the matches for the gold and bronze medals.

The five-day $800,000 US prize money event is being held at the seaport of Cagliari on the island of Sardinia.

The team of Pavan and Humana-Paredes is Canada’s sole entry in the World Tour Finals.

Event web site:
https://en.volleyballworld.com/en/beachvolleyball/worldtour/2021/1029

• In Canada, all matches are streamed live at www.cbcsports.ca

Photo: FIVB

Volleyball Canada media contact:
Jackie Skender
Mobile: 613.794.7676