Tokyo, Japan, July 26, 2018 – Three USA pairs are off to a good start after scoring victories in their respective pool play matches in the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour Tokyo 3-star on Thursday.
Amanda Dowdy and Irene Pollock repeated their three-set Haiyang 3-star win against Canada’s Julie Gordon and Sophie Bukovec with another 2-1 (16-21, 21-17, 15-12) triumph in the women’s pool play round at the Tokyo 3-star.
“We just continued to stick together,” Pollock said. “We stayed calm and focused on our side and I think that’s what made the difference in the third set.
“They’re a tough team and we play with them a lot. We know their tendencies, so you know it’s going to be a tough battle when we play each other.”
Dowdy said: “We feel great and it’s always nice to get that one win and find our groove. It’s a lot of fun to play them so we’re proud of ourselves for getting the win.”
Betsi Flint and Emily Day also prevailed in their three-set encounter with Japan’s Yukako Suzuki and Kaho Sakaguchi 2-1 (21-11, 17-21, 15-7), while Lauren Fendrick and Sarah Sponcil cruised past Canadian rivals Charlotte Sider and Marie Christine Lapointe 2-0 (21-11, 21-9).
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Japan’s Miki Ishii and Megumi Murakami got through opening day with a straight-set win, as six other pairs from the host nation suffered losses. Ishii and Murakami routed USA’s McKenna Thibodeau and Madison Witt 2-0 (21-14, 21-14).
Finland, Norway and Thailand had two pairs each winning their match in the main draw. Poland, China, Germany, Spain and Canada each had a winning pair on the first day of the main draw.
The women’s pool play round matches will resume at 10.40 local time on Friday, July 27.