Under punishing heat, Ukrainians and Latvians advance

Latvia’s Ardis Bedritis, Arturs Rinkevics advance to the quarterfinals. —PNVF PHOTO

SANTA ROSA, LAGUNA—Ukraine’s Anhelina Khmil and Valentyna Davidova pulled off a major upset on Saturday, defeating Tokyo Olympic silver medalist Taliqua Clancy and partner Stefanie Fejes of Australia, 21-13, 24-22, to advance to the semifinals of the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Nuvali Challenge.

The Ukrainian pair advanced to Sunday’s Final Four after surviving both the Australian duo and the punishing heat at the Nuvali Sands Courts, where temperatures reached 36 degrees Celsius with a 41-degree heat index earlier in the day.

Before their quarterfinal victory, Khmil and Davidova outlasted Americans Alexis Durish and Audrey Koenig, 21-11, 21-23, 15-13, in the Round of 16. The loss marked the first time the American pair failed to reach the podium in five Beach Pro Tour appearances.

“It’s been a challenge because it’s my first time here in the Philippines,” Khmil said. “I didn’t expect it at all, honestly, and I’m glad that there were some adjustments made for the players to feel better.

“It was really, really hard, but everybody’s in the same condition and everybody has to play no matter what. Heat, rain, cold—it doesn’t matter. Just play your beach volleyball.”

Khmil finished with 24 points, including the point that gave Ukraine a match point at 23-22 in the second set. Australia’s Fejes then committed an attack error that sealed the match. Davidova added 12 points.

“It was a hard battle from both sides,” Khmil said. “We knew who we were going to play against. We knew Steffi and Taliqua are great players and we knew it wasn’t going to be easy. But it was a great performance from us and we had so much fun. We’re really thrilled that we managed to win.”

The Ukrainians will face Americans Madelyne Anderson and Alaina Chacon in Sunday’s semifinals after the US pair defeated Puerto Rico’s Allanis Navas and Maria Claudia Gonzalez, 21-11, 21-17.

In the other women’s semifinal, Paris Olympians Monika Paulikiene and Aine Raupelyte of Lithuania will take on the Netherlands’ Emi van Driel and Mila Konink.

“The four teams left in the tournament are the best ones,” Khmil said. “We’re going to give our all and see what happens. We’re already happy to make it to the semifinals, but we know we can win against whoever is on the other side. We just need to play our best game, have fun and enjoy the moment.”

In the men’s division, Latvia’s Ardis Bedritis and Arturs Rinkevics stunned second-seeded Americans Chase Budinger and Trevor Crabb, 22-20, 21-18, to advance to the quarterfinals.

Bedritis scored 23 points, while Rinkevics added 17 as the Latvian pair battled through the extreme conditions.

“In this heat, it’s just a survival game,” Rinkevics said. “Our main concern was not to make mistakes. If there’s a rally, try not to lose the point easily or commit errors.

“We tried to keep the ball in play and play smart. They have a good blocker and a good defensive player, but in this heat, if you serve on the defender and make him run, it’s super hard. We tried to do that and it worked.”

Rinkevics said managing energy was crucial in the scorching conditions.

“For every team, it’s a survival game,” he said. “There’s no way anyone can feel good in this kind of heat. You just try to be smart, not spend your energy unnecessarily and stay in good positions on the court.” INQ