Canadian Kristina May, a 2016 Rio Olympian, has spent 15 months away from the beach game after the birth of her first son
It was a familiar duo atop the men’s podium at the Las Vegas Four Star on Sunday as Norwegians Christian Sorum/Anders Mol claimed their fourth straight FIVB title, besting Poland’s Grzegorz Fijalek/Michal Bryl for the gold.
Canadians Heather Bansley/Brandie Wilkerson bested countrywomen Sarah Pavan/Melissa Humana-Paredes in tiebreak in the first ever all-Canadian title match on the FIVB World Tour on Sunday.
Poland’s Grzegorz Fijalek/Michal Bryl, which were runnerup to Norwegians Anders Mol/Christian Sorum at the World Tour Finals and at the Vienna Major will have a third shot at the team in the Las Vegas Open Final on Sunday.
After four days of competition, the Las Vegas Open medal race is down to four teams as two Canadian pairs will meet in the final and two Brazilian sides will vie for third place on Sunday.
The first two women’s quarterfinalists earned their spots, while the remaining six matches of Round 2 are slated to begin at noon ET Saturday. Americans Betsi Flint/Emily Day defeated two other Team USA pairs en route to the Final 8, while Brazilians Ana Patricia/Rebecca earned their spot with the Pool H title and a win over Japan.
Teams from seven different countries make up the men’s quarterfinal field with top seeded Taylor Crabb/Jake Gibb and qualifiers Tri Bourne/Trevor Crabb highlighting the field. Both American pairs won their respective pools and claimed their spot in the quarters with tiebreak victories in Round 2.
Women’s pool play continues on Friday with all 32 teams in action. First up, beginning at noon ET are the pool title matches, including three American pairs. Mens action begins at 2:30 p.m. ET.
Top seeded Americans Taylor Crabb/Jake Gibb and No. 19 Trevor Crabb/Tri Bourne are among eight pool title winners to earn a free pass to the second elimination round. Qualifiers Crabb/Bourne knocked off No. 3 Pablo Herrera/Adrian Gavira in straight sets to claim Pool C.
Just three of the 16 women’s main draw matches went the distance on Thursday with Latvia’s Anastasija Kravcenoka/Tina Graudina and Americans Emily Stockman/Kelley Larsen and Betsi Flint/Emily Day coming out victorious.