June 16, 2022:  Two of Canada’s four entries in the Beach Volleyball World Championships (Rome 2022) have advanced to the quarter-finals after dramatic tie-break wins today.

Defending world champions Sarah Pavan (Kitchener, ON) and Melissa Humana-Paredes (Toronto, ON) beat Brazil’s Talita/Rebecca (21-16, 11-21, 16-18) in “overtime” today, and will face another team from the South American country tomorrow – Duda/Ana Patrícia. 

Brandie Wilkerson and partner Sophie Bukovec, both of Toronto, defeated Germany’s Borger/Sude 2-1 (19-21, 21-19, 15-10) today and will play on Friday in the quarters against Italy.

All Canadian teams advanced to the play-off round in Rome. On Wednesday, British Columbians Megan and Nicole McNamara fought hard against Italy’s Scampoli/Bianchin, but lost the tie-break set and were eliminated, finishing 17th overall.

The Canadian men’s entry of Sam Schachter (Richmond Hill, ON) and Dan Dearing (Toronto) fell to Nõlvak/Tiisaar of Estonia yesterday in two sets, after beating Mexico (2-0) the day before to make the playoffs. They also finish in 17th position.

The quarter-finals take place on Friday, with Pavan and Humana-Paredes playing at 5 a.m. EDT before Wilkerson and Bukovec begin at 2 p.m. EDT.

The FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships are held every two years. However, due to the pandemic the last Worlds was in 2019, also in Italy.

• Schedule & results here.
• Watch: www.cbcsports.ca

Volleyball Canada media contact:
Jackie Skender
Mobile: 613.794.7676