Aussies kick off women’s competition against Costa Rican debutantes

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 5, 2016 – The women’s competition in Rio starts off with the #7 seeded Australians, Louise Bawden/Taliqua Clancy taking on the #18 seed, Natalia Alfaro/Karen Charles of Costa Rica.  After going winless in Pool E in London, Louise will be hoping to get a first win and improve on her 19th-place finish with Becchara Palmer while Natalia and Karen are the first team from Costa Rica to compete in the Olympic Games in beach volleyball.

Head to Head

The two teams have never played in an FIVB World Tour event.  Historically the #7 seed and #18 seed have split their four matches in Olympic Games history.  The #18 seed has won two out of three in pool play, including an upset by Australia’s Kerri Pottharst/Summer Lochowicz over China’s Jia Tian/Fei Wang in Athens (2004). 

Louise Bawden/Taliqua Clancy, Australia, Seed #7, Pool F, Qualified 7th with 5,470 Points in the 2015-16 Olympic qualification period

• Louise: August 7, 1981 (34y11m30d), 184 cm (6’0″), 72 kg (160 lbs.), Hometown Melbourne, 79th FIVB World Tour event, $285,987 career winnings (ranks 58th)

• Taliqua: June 25, 1992 (24y1m12d), 184 cm (6’0″), 68 kg (151 lbs.), Hometown Kingaroy, 43rd FIVB World Tour event, $180,737 career winnings (ranks 96th)

• Louise and Taliqua have been playing together since 2013. They are playing in their 39th FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour tournament together with $357,225 in career winnings (ranks 43rd).

• Louise has played in five FIVB World Tour final fours with one silver medal, one bronze medal and three 4th place finishes.

• Taliqua has played in three FIVB World Tour final fours with one bronze medal and two 4th place finishes.

• Louise and Taliqua have played in three Final Fours in 2015-2016 (Bronze Porec Major 2015, 4th Long Beach Grand Slam 2015, 4th …

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