Volleyball Canada – Neuquen, Argentina, July 7, 2017 – Alexa Gray scored 18 points to lead Canada to a convincing 3-0 (25-18, 25-14, 25-20) victory over Argentina in Pool B2 of FIVB World Grand Prix on Friday night.
 
Gray was supported by Jennifer Cross and Sarah Chase who scored 11 points each. Lucia Fresco was the only Argentine player to get into double figures with 10 points. Canada out-blocked Argentina 14-8, with Cross and Chase picking up five blocking points each. Canada had two aces to Argentina’s none. 
 
It was the fourth meeting of the two teams in World Grand Prix play, and Canada has won three of those matches. It was only Canada’s fifth victory in the World Grand Prix history.
 
Canada’s coach Marcello Abbondanza told www.fivb.com: “I’m very happy and proud of my team because they played ordered volleyball with an aggressive mind, with a lot of focus, especially in the first two sets…. This important victory is a step towards growing up in our system.”
 
Canada faced an enthusiastic home crowd: “I have coached and played in many countries and this is one of the best crowds I have seen,” said Abbondanza, as Canada will face Poland today (at 16h local time, 3 pm EDT) in Argentina. “Poland is a very strong team with high ambitions, we will try to do our best.”

Web casts: www.cbcsports.ca

Roster
Danielle Brisebois – Bolton, Ontario
Kyla Richey – Roberts Creek, British Columbia
Danielle Smith – Beaverlodge, Alberta
Brianna Beamish – Surrey, British Columbia
Alicia Ogoms – Winnipeg, Manitoba
Alexa Lea Gray – Calgary, Alberta
Jennifer Cross – Scarborough, Ontario
Lucille Charuk – Vancouver, British Columbia
Elizabeth Wendel – Caronport, Saskatchewan
Sarah Chase – Campbell River, British Columbia
Kristen Moncks – Standard, Alberta
Courtney Baker – Bridgewater, Nova Scotia
Megan Cyr – St. Andrews, Manitoba
Michaela Reesor – Caledon, Ontario
 
Head coach: Marcello Abbondanza
Assistant coach: Vincenzo Mallia
Assistant coach: Daniele Alpi
Therapist/trainer: Giorgio Caiterzi
Statistician: Michael Ling
Team manager: Julien Boucher

Volleyball Canada media contact:

Jackie Skender
E-mail: jskender@volleyball.ca
Phone: 613.794.7676