Volleyball Canada – TRUJILLO, Peru, July 14, 2019 –  Canada finishes in sixth overall at the 2019 Women’s Pan American Cup in Peru. Argentina beat Canada 3-1 (25-20, 25-23, 24-26, 25-20) in the match for fifth place of the tournament on Saturday night.

The Argentinian attacker, Yamila Nizetich, was the match top scorer with 25 points. For Canada, Marie-Alex Bélanger contributed 20 points, while Andrea Mitrovic and Shainah Joseph had 16 points each.
 
Canada finished third last year at the Pan Am Cup, but fell short of making the semi-finals this year after losing to Puerto Rico Friday night. The final of the tournament will be contested on Sunday in a match between the United States and Dominican Republic.
 
“We had lots of opportunities in these matches where we fell short, aside from the final match against Argentina. I give a lot of credit to the very strong opponents we played,” said Canada’s coach Tom Black. “You’re not going to win every tight match you play, but we know with some upgrades we can see a lot of these through the finish line.”
 
Canada had its ups and downs in Peru – winning the earlier Challenger Cup in Lima to qualify for the 2020 Volleyball Nations League (VNL), but losing player Autumn Bailey to an injury in that same tournament.
 
“Winning the VNL qualifier was a historic moment for the team, but the injury to Autumn left all of us in a heavy cloud. Having a huge high and massive low wrapped up in the same moment isn’t how it’s supposed to go in your mind, but life sometimes follows a different course. I know we will all grow stronger and better from this. I’m very confident of that,” said Black, who is in his first season with the Canadian team.

Canada must now re-group for the Olympic Qualifier in Kaliningrad, Russia, next month where the team will face Russia, Korea and Mexico in Pool E.  

“Improvement often doesn’t feel like improvement when you’re in the middle of it, but the growth is clear when you come out the other end. I’m excited for where this team is headed.”
 
Pan Am Cup playoffs
ARG def CAN 3-1 (25-20, 25-23, 24-26, 25-20)
PUR def CAN 3-1 (30-28, 13-25, 27-25, 26-24)

Group results (CANADA)
CAN def GUA 3-0 (25-6, 25-5, 25-8)
DOM def CAN 3-2 (25-18, 25-27, 21-25, 25-14, 15-13)
CAN def PER 3-0 (25-22, 25-14, 25-22)
CAN def CUB 3-0 (25-19, 25-21, 25-22)
ARG def CAN 3-2 (25-27, 25-23, 25-21, 23-25, 19-17) 
 
Web site: www.norceca.net

• Canada’s Pan Am Cup full roster (pdf)

Full schedule: https://bit.ly/2Jsu4kD

Photo: NORCECA

Volleyball Canada media contact:
Jackie Skender jskender@volleyball.ca
Mobile: 613-794-7676