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Women's beach volleyball teams go head to head for semifinal spot

by Leila Hanaumi on September 12, 2009

After a hard-fought match between the two U.S. Women's Beach Volleyball Teams at Pacific Green Bay on Saturday, the improved Jessica Ensign and Nancy Moore advanced into the semifinal round. Undefeated duo Mike Bruning and Dimitri Nikiforov soon followed. The men were able to celebrate guilt-free, but the women had a hard time being excited after dashing the other American women's team's dreams of gold. During the match, Ensign and Moore appeared to have a hard time attacking Laurie Achin and Stacy Nikiforov, whom Moore described as "sisters." Although Achin and Nikiforov had the early lead, Ensign eventually was able to start delivering hits and steady serves, pulling her and Moore ahead in the first game. The score became tighter within the final minutes, tying at 20-20. Moore noticed Achin and Nikiforov were missing balls at the deep end, so she slammed one right behind the line for a 22-20 win. In the second game, Achin and Nikiforov couldn't seem to step up, while Ensign and Moore became more fluid in their playing. Slowly, but surely, Ensign and Moore began racking up points that led to their bittersweet 21-12 win. The U.S. teammates hugged each other and the losing duo told Ensign and Moore not to feel bad. "It was us — we didn't play our game," Nikiforov told them. Still, Ensign fought back tears as Moore said she was excited "but also heartbroken." Coach Lauren Mills joined the winning team in their conflicted emotion, but said they knew this day would come. Achin's and Nikiforov's future plans are "still up in the air," the duo said. Nikiforov is expecting a baby and originally did not plan to compete in another Deaflympics. However, after she and Achin lost their final match, they looked at each other, and she reconsidered. "There are many factors that can affect my decision in whether or not I will come back for the next Deaflympics. I'll have to think long and hard about it," Nikiforov said. Achin also is unsure, saying a return would depend on her partner and other potential scenarios. "I wouldn't mind one more Deaflympics," Achin said. "I want a medal." In the afternoon, Bruning and Dimitri Nikiforov joined Ensign and Nikiforov for a spot in the top four finalist teams. The men had a rusty start in their game against Germany, but as soon as they began targeting the weaker opponent, they surged ahead to a solid 21-15 win. The first win incited the German hitter to start attacking harder. Bruning's blocks couldn't stop all the German's hits, but even with a few slips, Germany straggled far behind. Bruning and Nikiforov won the match, 21-13. Ensign and Moore face Ukraine at 10 a.m. Sunday. Bruning and Dimitri Nikiforov also play Ukraine at 1 p.m. Sunday.
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