Punching their ticket to the women’s semi-final where they are guaranteed to be playing for a medal, the Aussies secured victory 2-1 (21-19, 16-21, 15-12) over Zoe Verge-Depre and Esmee Boebner.

The Australians have had a strong campaign throughout the competition in Paris, losing only one match during the pool stage against the USA, while the Swiss had managed to go one better, with a clean sheet coming into the quarter-final match up. 

Having won a silver medal in Tokyo 2020, Mariafe and Taliqua had high expectations and plenty of pressure as the only medalists from the previous Games competing. Add the team’s recent win-loss record against Switzerland of 5-1 in their favour, the Australians were arguably the favourite going into the match.

“I’m so proud of how we really stayed true and trusted our game,” Taliqua said. “Even though things didn't always feel perfect, and definitely for myself, I'm just so happy that Mariafe stuck by me while I was trying to get myself into the game. 

“We knew that it was gonna be a tough match, it was great teamwork. 

“When one of us is down, the other one has each other's back, and vice versa,” Mariafe added. “That's what teamwork is.” 

Mariafe and Taliqua appeared to have some early jitters in the first set, dropping the first two points and adding some missed serves. 

Despite finding their feet, a few early errors cost the Aussies, the Swiss jumping out to a 5-2 lead. 

But the pair fought back to level the score 14-14 and maintained momentum until the end of the first set, coming out on top 21-19.

Mariafe and Taliqua kept firing into the second set with some spectacular rallies and strategic serves. However the Swiss kept Australia on their toes, levelling the score 6-6.

The lead swung back and forth between the teams throughout the set, with strong rallies but forced errors on both sides. 

However, some unfortunate errors from the Aussies gave the Swiss team a 18-15 lead, which then led to a set victory of 16-21, forcing a third set to decide the match.

With a potential medal on the line, Mariafe and Taliqua came out fast. They gave everything they had, sticking to their game plan against the strong Swiss pair. Their perseverance paid off, and the Aussies won the set 15-12, claiming victory (2-1). 

“I think the quality of volleyball was really high,” Taliqua said. “I’m just proud that we're able to deliver in those moments and lean into the pressure when it is there. That's what these moments are all about.”

“We know what we're capable of, and we know if we play our best, it doesn't need to be perfect for us to get the win. 

“Every Olympic cycle is not the same. There's new teams, and the teams are stronger than they've ever been. It’s good for the growth of our sport.”

Mariafe and Taliqua will now face either Brazil or Latvia in the semi-final set to take place at the Eiffel Tower Stadium with the date and time to be confirmed. 

Shannon Knaus