Toronto, Canada, September 15, 2016 - Brazilians Talita Antunes and Larissa Franca avenged a setback to Elsa Baquerizo and Liliana Fernandez last month in southern California by defeating the Spaniards in two sets here Thursday afternoon on Polson Pier at the SWATCH FIVB World Tour Finals.
With the 2-0 (21-17, 21-12) Pool C win in 29 minutes over Elsa and Liliana, Talita and Larissa have now won six of the seven FIVB World Tour matches between the two teams.
Coupled with a win Wednesday over a Canadian team, Talita and Larissa won their pool to advance to the quarter-finals of the SWATCH Finals where the Brazilians are the defending champions.
Elsa Baquerizo - “This afternoon we didn’t really get in our rhythm but it’s okay. We are all the best teams in the world. It’s a very special thing to be part of this, it’s a prize and a good way to finish the season. It’s hard to keep your focus since it’s been a tough season but in another way we are more relaxed than normal. We knew we were in a tough group, it would have made a difference if we won the group but it’s not going to be easy no matter what.”
Larissa Franca - “It’s very important for us to play well. It’s a new week, a new tournament. We have to focus on the game and I really hope we are able to win."
Talita Antunes - “It’s not the easiest year, we have been training a lot. It’s not just about the prize money, which is the biggest, but it’s the 12 best teams here. Everyone played so good all year and they want to be here, so we enjoy playing here and trying to get into the final.”