June 30, 2024: Canada finished fourth after Dominican Republic won the third-place match on Sunday at the Women’s NORCECA U21 Continental Championship at the Pan Am Sports Centre in Toronto, Ontario.
After two very close set battles, Dominican Republic took control of the third set, sweeping Canada 3-0 (25-23, 25-23, 25-16).
Dominican Republic led in attack points, 38-30, blocking was even at seven, and serving favoured the winning side 11-4, but Dominican Republic made a couple more errors 21-19.
Dominican opposite Ariana Rodriguez Fung led all scoring with 17 points, five of those coming from ace serves.
Sophia Hansen, Claire Carter, Ella Piskorz and Maëli Cormier added eight points each to Canada’s effort.
“It was a good battle in the first two sets – we came to play. Block defense was good, but we just couldn’t convert some opportunities,” said Canada’s coach Olivier Faucher. “It’s something we have to learn – finding ways to put the ball away when we have the chance. .. We gave them too many opportunities and on our side the ball control was a little bit off…. It’s part of the learning process for these athletes in their pathway to competing at a higher level. It’s the big picture that will be seen in the next few years as to what the players can take from this and bring to future teams.”
USA won the gold, and a berth to the 2025 U21 World Championship, after sweeping Puerto Rico, who take home the silver medal.
Canada also received three individual awards: Best receiver and digger went to libero Delaney Watson, best setter to Ella McVittie and the second blocker award went to Veronica Dickson.
NextGen Team fifth at NORCECA tournament
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, June 30, 2024 – Canada defeated Cuba in three sets 3-0 (25-20, 26-24, 25-22) to finish in fifth place in the NORCECA Final Six tournament, which was played in the National Volleyball Pavilion of the Juan Pablo Duarte Olympic Center.
Canada outscored Cuba in attacks 40-35 and in blocks 9-4, but Cuba had the advantage 10-8 in aces.
For the Canada, Abby Guezen led all scorers in the match, with 18 points, Emoni Busch added nine points, while Raya Surinx and Madison Saris contributed with eight points each. For Cuba, Dezirett Madan scored 14 points, while Alejandra Gómez and Laura Suarez added nine each.
Coach Carolyn O’Dwyer said in the post-match interview on www.norceca.net: “Our team was playing better in each game we played; I think that is positive for such a young group.”
Medalists were Dominican Republic (gold), USA (silver) and Mexico (bronze).
Canada won two individual awards: Emoni Bush was best server; and Abagayle Guezen won best spiker.
Full results: www.norceca.net
Media Contact:
Jackie Skender
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