Dutch beach volleyball duo Katja Stam and Raisa Schoon delivered a remarkable performance in the women’s qualifiers at the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Elite16 in Rio de Janeiro, marking their return with a tightly contested win that secured their entry into the main draw. This victory is particularly meaningful as it marks Stam’s comeback from a prolonged injury, ending a winless stretch on the tour.
Despite being ranked 12th, Stam and Schoon overcame the fifth-seeded American team of Kylie Kuyava-De Berg and Xolani Hodel in a thrilling three-set match (19-21, 21-14, 15-12). This result contrasts their missed qualification in Joao Pessoa just the previous week, signifying a critical turning point in their 2024 season.
The qualifiers were packed with upsets and impressive play:
- Andressa Cavalcanti and Taina Bigi of Brazil, the lowest seeds, stunned top-seeded Taliqua Clancy and Jana Milutinovic in straight sets.
- Paraguay’s Giuliana Poletti Corrales and Michelle Valiente came from behind to defeat Lithuanian Olympians Monika Paulikiene and Aine Raupelyte.
- Brazilians Thainara Feitosa de Oliveira and Talita Simonetti overcame USA’s Hailey Harward and Molly Phillips, the seventh seeds.
- Czech team Marketa Svozilova and Marie-Sara Stochlova edged past Brazil’s Carol Horta and Elize Maia in a hard-fought contest.
In addition to these wins, six other teams earned spots in the main draw:
- Wies Bekhuis & Emi van Driel (Netherlands)
- Natalia Okla & Urszula Lunio (Poland)
- Corinne Quiggle & Chloe Loreen (USA)
The Rio Elite16 main draw begins Thursday and will showcase a lineup of top international competitors striving for victory in one of beach volleyball’s premiere events.
Read the full article on the official Volleyball World website: Stam & Schoon Back in the Game.
