Vienna, Austria, July 29, 2017 - American Emily Day was scheduled to be in Vienna during the 2017 FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships presented by A1. But she expected to be attending a wedding, not playing in a competitive match Saturday mid-day on the Read Bull Beach Arena center court.
Day, who just missed qualifying for the World Championships with partner Brittany Hochevar, was set to attend a wedding in Vienna on August 13. But last Saturday, after Kerri Walsh Jennings injured her shoulder at the Olsztyn Open, Day received a message from Nicole Branagh asking if she wanted to play in Vienna. They received approval on Tuesday, and Day hopped on a flight on Wednesday.
Despite having limited practice time, they won their opening match against Germany’s Victoria Bieneck and Isabel Schneider on Saturday. Day even received a “good luck” text message from Walsh Jennings.
“I am here in an unlucky situation, but I am happy to be here and compete,” Day said. “She knows how to play great, and I know how to play great. The team chemistry will come.”