Melissa Humana-Paredes / Sarah Pavan Canada (6) def. Victoria Bieneck / Isabel Schneider Germany (9) 21-19, 21-17 (38)
Melissa Humana-Paredes, Canada - “It feels great to put two really good games back-to-back together against two strong teams and just to play at a level we can play at that had been missing a bit. We got the two must-wins that we did and now it’s out of our hands and hopefully the volleyball gods are on our side and we can make it out of our pool. Regardless of what happens, I’m proud of our team and what we were able to overcome and come out on top. It’s a bittersweet ending if it is an ending to our season. It means a lot we finished on a high note playing well the way we can.”
Sarah Pavan, Canada - “We were consistent. We didn’t really give up runs of points. It wasn’t always pretty but when things didn’t go well, we regrouped right away, and I think that was missing earlier in the week where we were giving up runs of points. We stayed focused and we played every point in the moment. It was fun. I’m proud of how we rebounded. Earlier in the week I think it’s obvious we’re a different team. At this point, like Mel said, I hope the volleyball gods are on our side but if they’re not we finished this tournament on a really good note and I’m satisfied heading into the Olympic qualification.”
Victoria Bieneck, Germany - “If you lose by two points it’s just little things. We had some good plans and good plays and just didn’t finish them maybe or play tidy enough. It always has two sides, on one hand you think it’s just so close and you’re maybe angry and on the other hand it shows you how close you are to the best teams. You can ask all big players from which games they learned the most and the answer will always be hard losses. This is the way you need to go and there’s no shortcut.”
Isabel Schneider, Germany - “Especially these games on this high level means a lot for our development and therefore I’m really thankful and really proud of the work we already did together. We qualified for this event which I think shows we are on the right way and now we need some steps really go one step higher. I’m positive although we lost here.”