Poland’s Monika Brzostek and Kinga Kolosinska won two ties on the first day of pool action ©FIVB

Poland’s Monika Brzostek and Kinga Kolosinska received an early Rio 2016 boost after winning both of their matches on the first day of pool competition at the Klagenfurt Major.

The duo took on their Rio 2016 pool opponents Ekaterina Birlova and Evgeniya Ukolova of Russia at the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) World Tour event.

Despite losing the opening set of the contest, Brzostek and Kolosinska hit back to claim a 15-21, 21-16, 18-16 victory in a closely fought tie, which could excite fans when they meet again at the Olympics on August 9.

The Poles had earlier won their first tie of the competition in convincing fashion, defeating Italian qualifiers Laura Giombini and Rebecca Perry 21-15, 21-17.

With two victories to their credit in Pool C, the pair were able to close on a place in the next round of the competition.

Germany’s Laura Ludwig and Kira Walkenhorst, the top ranked players on the 2015 to 2016 FIVB World Tour, ended the day with a victory and defeat to their credit.

Germany’s Laura Ludwig and Kira Walkenhorst claimed a win and loss in their pool matches ©FIVB
Germany’s Laura Ludwig and Kira Walkenhorst claimed a win and loss in their pool matches ©FIVB

The pair fell to a surprise 18-21, 21-18, 23-21 loss to Canada’s Jamie Broder and Kristina Valjas in their first match of the day in Pool A.

However they were able to bounce back by beating Brazil’s Angela Lavalle and Elize Maia by a 21-17, 21-11 scoreline.

The United States’ Trevor and Taylor Crabb were among eight teams to reach the main draw of the men’s competition.

The brothers defeated Austria’s Lorenz Petutschnig and Daniel Müllner 21-19, 21-14 in their second match, having triumphed 21-18, 21-13 against Sonny Hirini and Griffin Muller of New Zealand in their opening clash.