Without our team we wouldn’t be standing here says Ludwig

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Laura prepares to serve against the Americans

A victorious Laura Ludwig paid tribute to the people behind her and Kira Walkenhorst’s latest win as the duo secured their place in the quarterfinals of the Swatch Beach Volleyball FIVB World Tour Finals presented by Vodafone.

Injury has beset the pair throughout the season with Walkenhorst needing treatment immediately after their straight sets victory over Americans Summer Ross and Brooke Sweat in front of a packed Red Bull Beach Arena crowd.

But Laura was quick to praise those involved who keep the Olympic and World champions’ body and soul in shape throughout the season.

“Mentally and physically there is a lot of important people behind-the-scenes,” explained Ludwig. “In beach volleyball you don’t see the coach on the court, it’s just us, and there’s a big team, big team always preparing us.

“We have our coach, our phycologist – who we have had for four years now – who keeps our heads strong. It doesn’t matter if we’re injured, or losing or in a bad mood, she helps. We also have medics and doctors who treat us and without them we would never be able to stand here.”

With Walkenhorst’s latest injury cranking up the pressure on the duo to perform in front of an expectant home crowd, Laura said there was no chance of them withdrawing from the competition on home sand.

“We don’t want this – firstly because we love playing. We love performing and especially here in Hamburg,” continued Ludwig.

“We also haven’t played so much this season and the highlights are coming towards the end of the year – and we want to play in them.”

The heroes from the Copacabana and Vienna join Laboureur/Sude, Pavan/Humana-Paredes and Agatha/Duda in advancing directly to the last-eight of the competition. Click here for the full draw including the first elimination stage matches.  

A packed Red Bull Beach Arena watched the Olympic champs triumph