LANGLEY, B.C. – Trinity Western University’s men’s volleyball team will be representing Canada at the 2021 XVI Senior (Men) Pan American Cup, Final Six in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, starting Sept. 3.
 
The Spartans will wear the Maple Leaf, as the defending Canada West and U SPORTS champions will represent Canada at the annual tournament, which runs until Sept. 9. This year’s event is the first stage of competition for the qualification to the 2023 NORCECA Continental Championship and the 2023 Pan American Games.
 
“As reigning U SPORTS champions, Trinity Western was a good fit for this tournament, and the program has strong tradition of excellence and contributing to our National Teams,” said Julien Boucher, Volleyball Canada Director of High Performance (Indoor). “We’re confident this will be a great development experience for the players and we’re looking forward to seeing what they can do on the court.”
 
Canada will play in a six-team round robin format, which will be followed by semifinals and finals.
 
“I believe it’s every athlete’s and coach’s goal and dream to represent their country and compete with their flag on their shirt,” said TWU men’s volleyball coach Ben Josephson. “Starting this week, that dream has become a reality for us. We are all excited to represent Canada on the international stage.
 
“As a group of competitors, it doesn’t get any better than playing at this high of a level while doing it for your country. We’re over the moon with excitement and we can’t wait to represent Canada well.”
 
The opportunity marks the fourth time TWU’s men’s volleyball team will wear the Canadian flag in an international competition. In 2011, the Spartans, who were the defending national champions, represented Canada at the FIVB Club World Championship in Doha, Qatar, with TWU earning a 1-2 record while playing against the best pro teams in the world.
 
The following year, in 2012, the Spartans, who were again the defending U SPORTS champions, wore the Red and White at the U23 Pan American Men’s Volleyball Cup in Langley, with TWU finishing fourth.
 
Most recently, the then Canada West champion Spartans represented Canada at the FISU America Games in 2018 in Sao Paolo, Brazil, where TWU captured a bronze medal.
 
The Spartans will be looking to win Canada’s first medal since the 2016 edition of the tournament, when the Canadians brought home bronze. Last year’s tournament was cancelled due to the pandemic.
 
Team Canada Schedule
Sept. 3 – Canada vs. Suriname – 12 p.m. PT / 3 p.m. ET
Sept. 4 – Canada vs. Mexico – 12 p.m. PT / 3 p.m. ET
Sept. 5 – Canada vs. Puerto Rico – 2 p.m. PT / 5 p.m. ET
Sept. 6 – Canada vs. Dominican Republic – 4 p.m. PT / 7 p.m. ET
Sept. 7 – Canada vs. United States – 2 p.m. PT / 5 p.m. ET
Sept. 8 – Semifinals
Sept. 9 – Gold and Bronze Medal Matches
 
Roster
Colton Loewen – Aldergrove, B.C.
Jackson Corneil – Surrey, B.C.
Isaiah Olfter – Winnipeg, Man.
Brodie Hofer – Langley, B.C.
Jackson Howe – Calgary, Alta.
Aaron Elser – Calgary, Alta.
Jesse Elser – Calgary, Alta.
Jordan Schnitzer – Surrey, B.C.
Liam Remple – Vernon, B.C.
Adam Schriemer – Winnipeg, Man.
Derek Epp – Saskatoon, Sask.
Kaden Schmidt – Mississauga, Ont.
 
Staff
Head Coach – Ben Josephson
Assistant Coach – Ben Ball
2nd Assistant Coach – Jordan Or
Doctor – Abe Avender
Physiotherapist – Nick Del Bianco
Statistician – Anselm Rein
Team Lead – Joel Jansen
Team Manager – Linden Bontkes
 
TWU media contact
MARK JANZEN – SPARTAN ATHLETICS
PHONE: (604) 613-6730
 Volleyball Canada media contact:
Jackie Skender