In the highest profile match of their young careers, the Canadian Women’s Beach Volleyball duo of Taylor Pischke and Melissa Humana-Paredes came up well short, falling in the bronze medal match of the Pan-Am Games in straight sets to the Brazilian duo of Carolina Horta and Liliane Maestrini. The loss hit Pischke particularly hard, who was seen crying on the court, and in our media interviews after the match.

“I never really felt like I was in the match today or really comfortable,” she said. “It was windy so I never felt like I was in control of the ball.

“Despite the game, it was so much fun playing in front of the fans. Their support means the world and I’m going to probably start crying,” she continued and then required a few moments to compose herself.

“In a couple days I’ll look back and be proud of how we played throughout this whole tournament despite this last game.”

And that last sentement is the one that rings true. Despite this bitter defeat, this Canadian duo became the rock-stars of the Pan-Am games, playing each of their matches before capacity and raucous crowds at the Beach Volleyball venue, and increasing the profile of the sport tremendously, as their Bronze Medal Match was covered in its entirety by the CBC.

They also made great gains on the court. One has to remember that this tandem features a pair of players who are each just 22-years-old. In a sport dominated by teams featuring players with tons of international experience and in their late-20s through their mid-30s, these youngsters have a lot of years ahead of them. With Pischke’s height and ability to play at the net, along with Humana-Paredes exceptional digging ability, they have all the pieces to be a top team for years to come.

“We came out tentative,” Humana-Paredes said. “Not scared. We were careful not to make mistakes and I think that’s the wrong mentality. We definitely learned that taking risks is huge, whether you make a mistake or not.

“It’s these losses when you learn so much. This one hurts the most. That’s why we’re going to learn from it.”

The Pan Am games were always meant as a learning experience for the young duo. They will try to push their way to the Rio Olympics, but are in tough, as Canada can only submit two teams, and there are two more experienced and higher ranked teams currently ahead of them. Heather Bansley and Sarah Pavan currently rank second on the women’s World Tour. While Jamie Broder and Kristina Valjas are No. 6. Pischke and Humana-Paredes are ranked 17th.

While they will tray to make up rankings points this fall, a mre realistic goal is the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. With the proper development and coaching, don’t be surprised if these two are a threat to bring home gold from the land of the Rising Sun.

And it will be a loss at home, playing in front of the pressure of those large crowds that could propel them there.

The following features photographs from their earlier matches in the tournament.

All images by Kevin Gamble, Last Word on Sports Inc., All Rights reserved.