Candelas happy to take junior partner role at FIVB Swatch World Championships
Mexico’s Bibiana Candelas and Mayra Garcia played the opening match of the FIVB Swatch World Championships Rome 2011 powered by smart losing 21-12, 17-21, 15-9 to the eighth seeded Chinese duo of Chen Xue and Xi Xhang
Rome, Italy, June 13, 2011 - Mexico’s Bibiana Candelas has little choice but to accept that she is the junior partner to Mayra Garcia at the FIVB Swatch World Championships Rome 2011 powered by smart.
Candelas is 12 years younger than Garcia and making her debut at a World Championships, whereas Garcia is playing in her fourth. Despite this the Torreon native is positive she can soak up as much knowledge as she can from her partner at Rome 2011.
“This is our fifth season together, so we are trying to get that experience as a team. We already have that experience, but there is always something new to learn as a team,” Candelas said. “She’s going to try to go to her third Olympics so she has been here a long time so that’s good for me because I keep learning a lot from her.“
As well as age and experience the pair also offers a great contrast physically. At 196cm (6’5”) Candelas towers over her teammate, who stands at 170cm (5’8”). Even so it means that both can use their differing physical attributes to contribute to the team.
Candelas said: “Usually the taller person on the team is the one who is blocking, so that works well for us. I’m the blocker and she’s the defender because it is hard for me to get down low.
“We work well together and have a good chemistry.”
The Mexican pair put in an impressive performance in their opening game in Pool H and the opening game of the FIVB Swatch World Championships Rome 2011, despite losing 21-12, 17-21, 15-9 to the eighth seeded Chinese duo of Chen Xue and Xi Xhang.
Next up are Britain’s Zara Dampney and Shauna Mullin before Candelas and Garcia wrap up the group against Switzerland’s Simone Kuhn and Nadine Zumkehr.
“I am very excited to be here at the World Champs, especially as we are in a very tough group and all the teams have a good level, especially the Chinese,” Candelas said.
“You always want to win and do your best, no matter who you play; you want to do your best. We have to think about the next team and next game and try and get a better result.”
