In the quarterfinals of the 2021 U.S. Mixed Doubles National Championship, team Walker/Leichter faced Geving/Violette.

Following Walker/Leichter’s three-game win streak yesterday to qualify through two tiebreakers and the qualification game, the duo fell short to Geving/Violette, the top-ranked team out of Pool D.

Walker/Leichter opened the game by forcing Geving/Violette to a single point in the first end and securing a deuce with hammer in the second. It was in the third end of the game that Geving/Violette generated a score of four points and shifted the momentum as they proceeded to steal points in the fourth and fifth ends. Walker/Leicther responded with a single in the sixth and a steal in the seventh, but Geving/Violette’s three-point lead in the eighth end was enough to earn them the victory.

"We're having a lot of fun,” said Aileen Geving. “Luc and I get along really well. We have a really good banter with each other and we're both super confident.”

A feeling that is reciprocated by Violette, who is enjoying every second on the National Championship ice.

“I've just had so much fun this week and am really excited to have the chance to play two more games today,” said Violette. “Of course, we want to close it out but every end, every game that we get to play together is a lot of fun and we're going to enjoy it."

In the other quarterfinal, Rhyme/Smith played Burchesky/Richardson. A score of three in the second end followed by a steal of two points in the third end gave Burchesky/Richardson an early lead. Rhyme/Smith narrowed the gap in the fourth and fifth ends, leaving them trailing by one after five ends. It was in the sixth end that Burchesky/Richardson extended their lead with a score of four points that could not be returned by Rhyme/Smith.

"I'm just so excited,” said Ben Richardson. “I wasn't quite sure we'd get to this point of the week but it feels so good.”

The top four teams of the 2021 U.S. National Championship have qualified for the 2022 U.S. Olympic Trials, where they will have the chance to represent the United States at Beijing 2022.

Now that the goal of qualifying for Trials has been achieved, teams have their sights set on the gold medal that will be awarded at the conclusion of the 7:00 PM final.

“We're gonna keep going,” added Richardson. “We are going to try to make it to the final and win the whole thing.”

At 2:00 PM, Burchesky/Richardson will play Bear/Stopera and Geving/Violette will play Persinger/Plys.

The winner of each semifinal will advance to the 2021 U.S. National Championship final.

FOLLOW ALONG

Live scoring of the 2021 U.S. Mixed Doubles National Championship will be available on the USA Curling website throughout the duration of the event and TESN coverage will be livestreaming the playoffs of the Championship on May 22-23.

The remainder of the 2021 U.S. Mixed Doubles National Championship will be streamed live to USA Curling’s Youtube channel.

USA Curling is sponsored by Toyota, Goldline, Twin Cities Orthopedics, Training HAUS, Brakebush, ISS (Ice, Sports & Solar), and Sitrin, and is partnered with IHG, Rock Solid Productions Inc., 12th End Sports Network, Laurie Artiss Ltd. – The Pin People, and United Airlines.