Danell Libby and her teammates are right in the thick of the playoff hunt after an 8-3 win over Scotland at the World Wheelchair Curling Championship in Solleftea, Sweden.

Pierce (North Syracuse, N.Y.) and teammates Augusto Perez (East Syracuse, N.Y.), Jimmy Joseph (Hartford, N.Y.), Danell Libby (Sprakers, N.Y.) and Mark Taylor (Deansboro, N.Y.) are now 3-3 and in the playoff hunt tied for third place with three other teams.

The U.S. lost two games yesterday in the final end and weren't going to let the win slip away again.  "I'm very disappointed in today's results as we played well and had each game within our possession," said Joseph after yesterday's 4-3 loss to Denmark.  "We have to move on and now focus on Scotland and secure a victory."

And focus on Scotland they did. Team USA started strong scoring four points in the opening end. Scotland only got one with the hammer in the next end but stole two points in the next two ends to pull within one at 4-3. But the Americans held on for the win scoring four in the fifth end to finish off the game.

"Our experience has assisted us with playing smarter and helping us focus to establish a comeback," said Perez.

The U.S. returns to the ice with games against Switzerland at 1:30 p.m. and Canada at 7:30 p.m. The U.S.-Canada game will be featured on the host club's web TV beginning at 1:30 ET.

Teams at the World Wheelchair Championship must be composed of a mix of men and women. No sweeping of the stone is allowed in competition. Rather, athletes rely upon arm strength and true aim. Games at the national and world level are six ends in length in accordance with the World Curling Federation's rules of play.

Line score:

*USA                400 040 8
Scotland           011 100 3

*last rock advantage

Standings:

Norway  4-2
Scotland  4-2
Korea  3-2
Canada  3-3
Japan  3-3
Switzerland  3-3
USA  3-3
Russia  2-3
Denmark  2-4
Sweden  2-4

USA Curling is sponsored by AIT Worldwide Logistics, AmerAust Technologies and Nike as well as by AT&T, General Motors, The Home Depot, and Bank of America through a joint marketing program with the U.S. Olympic Committee.