Toronto, Canada, September 14, 2016 - Heather Bansley and Brandie Wilkerson of Canada remained undefeated in the 2016 SWATCH FIVB World Tour Finals play here Wednesday afternoon by defeating Rio Olympians Laura Giombini and Marta Menegatti of Italy.
Playing their first of two Pool D matches in their first-ever international Beach Volleyball event together, Bansley and Wilkerson scored a 2-0 (21-14, 21-12) win in 32 minutes over Giombini and Menegatti, who placed ninth in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games together.
To qualify for Wednesday's action, Bansley and Wilkerson scored a 2-0 (23-21, 21-13) Canadian country quota win Tuesday in 36 minutes over compatriots Melissa Humana-Paredes and Sarah Pavan Canada. Prior to the SWATCH Finals this week, Bansley and Pavan had played in 38 FIVB World Tour events together highlighted by six international podium placements and a fifth-place in the Rio Olympics.
Heather Bansley - “I am really pleased with our performance after yesterday. I am proud we refocused on Italy and came out strong."
How did she spend her birthday? “A quiet night in with my boyfriend."
Brandie Wilkerson - “There is a part of me that wants to block everyone. That is my goal."
Marta Menegatti - “We are still a really new team. We are figuring each other out."