The eight mixed doubles teams of the 24-team field that advanced to the playoffs of the 2021 U.S. Mixed Doubles National Championship competed in qualification games on Saturday evening at 7:00 PM.

The four teams that finished second in their pools after round robin play advanced to the “Runners-Up” Pool. The losers of the qualification games in the Runners-Up Pool are eliminated from contest and the winners advance to quarterfinals.

In the matchups, Burchesky/Richardson defeated Dudt/Dudt 9-4 with their score of four in the fifth end giving them a four-point advantage playing the second half.

After winning two tiebreaker games to qualify for playoffs, Walker/Leichter won their third game of the day, defeating Sinclair/Ruohonen.

The four teams that finished the round robin as the top seeds in their pool advanced to the “Winners” Pool, where losers of the qualification games go to the quarterfinals and the winners advance to the semi-finals.

Persinger/Plys, the fourth-seeded team of the Winners Pool defeated top-seeded Geving/Violette. After Persinger/Plys scored two points in the opening end with hammer, Geving/Violette generated a score of four points. Pesinger/Plys remained patient, scoring singles until finally securing a deuce in the seventh end. Tied without hammer in the eighth end, Persinger/Plys positioned two stones frozen on the button, leaving Geving/Violette only with a challenging angled run-back.

Bear/Stopera maintained their unblemished record, handing Rhyme/Smith their second loss of the tournament.

“We've played a lot of good games out there and can keep getting better,” said Stopera. “We feel good and just want to keep it rolling.”

In tomorrow’s quarterfinal games at 9:00 AM, Burchesky/Richardson will play Rhyme/Smith and Walker/Leichter will face Geving/Violette.

Once the quarterfinal games are completed, the semi-final matchups will be determined.

Teams Persinger/Plys and Bear/Stopera will advance to the semifinals and have earned their berths to the 2022 U.S. Olympic Trials.

"It’s a big sigh of relief,” said Chris Plys. “Getting a Trials spot locked up is what we came here for, so we’re really happy.”

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.