Lessard and Martin equal best result this season on World Tour

KRISTIANSAND, Norway - Marie-Andrée Lessard of Ville LaSalle, Que., and Annie Martin of Sherbrooke, Que., equalled their best result this season on the World Tour beach volleyball circuit placing ninth following a loss on Friday.

The Canadian veterans produced a strong run at the 13th stop on the circuit and were finally stopped by eighth-seed Brazilians Maria-Clara and Carol Salgado 21-18, 21-16. The Brazilians won their next two matches and are in the semifinals.

On Friday, Lessard and Martin led the first set 16-13 but couldn’t adjust when the Brazilians changed their strategy.

“We tried a different strategy as well to try and get the lead back but it didn’t work,” said Lessard. “Still we are happy with our final placing.”

The Canadians had a bye to the main draw this week and won three of their five matches in the double elimination tournament.   They earn $6,000 in prize money.

The next stop on the circuit starts Tuesday in Aland, Finland.