Heather Bansley / Brandie Wilkerson Canada (5) def. Sara Hughes / Summer Ross United States (10) 22-20, 14-21, 15-10 (48)
Heather Bansley, Canada - “We were having trouble on our sideout and we just needed to turn that around, and our passing in the third set. We needed to force them to make some errors on their side right at the end of the third set. It was back-and-forth, back-and-forth, we tried to stay as steady as we could and trusted our defense. We expect a big crowd (against Germany) to be really loud, everybody’s going to be cheering for us (laugh). It will be a tough match, they’re playing at home, we’ve played them a few times this season and it’s always been a close game.”
Brandie Wilkerson, Canada - “It’s difficult for sure. It’s so easy to excuse yourself and say you’re trying and it’s just not working. You just have to find a solution, it just gets to a point where there is no other choice and you just have to be better.” (After the second set): “It was clear what we had to fix and we were both committed and determined to work harder. We can’t let those past mistakes affect what the future result will be. We set to win this pool and we’re determined to play a really strong game tonight. We’ll see.”
Sara Hughes, United States - “At the end of game in the third, they pushed it a little more than we did, we made too many unforced errors but overall it was a great match with top competitors. We’ve just got to regroup and get ready for the next one.” (on the wild point swings): “I think it’s something we’re personally working on and trying to get better at. A huge thing is we need to re-focus and try not to make as many errors as we did but it happens. We’re still learning as a team and we move on and we’re ready for the next one.
Summer Ross, United States - “There are a few things we got better at but that was just a garbage way to finish that match. We can do so much and we’re going to do it tomorrow. It’s so frustrating, it’s like a dagger to the heart. I’m so bummed right now.”