PANAMA CITY – Canada won the silver medal late Monday night at the inaugural Junior Pan Am Cup men’s volleyball tournament dropping the championship final to Venezuela 25-23, 16-25, 25-19, 25-23.
Nicholas Hoag of Sherbrooke, Que., registered 17 points to lead the Canadian attack while Daniel Moreau of Sherbrooke and Bradley Kufske of Abbotsford, B.C., added 13 each. Canada ends the competition with an overall record of three wins and three losses while Venezuela was undefeated in its five matches.
“I am very proud of my boys who made a great effort and showed what they are capable of,’’ said Canada’s national team coach Georges Laplante.
Venezuela out-blocked their opponents 13-9 and they were also better in the aces department 8-4.
“It was a very difficult match and not the regular 3-1 victory as the Canadians adjusted their defence and made it hard for us,’’ said Venezuela’s coach Gilberto Herrera.
The tournament was a first big tune-up for the Canadian squad which is ultimately preparing for the world junior championships later this summer in Brazil.
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PANAMA CITY – Canada’s National Junior team delivered a second consecutive straight sets playoff victory on Sunday to advance to the gold medal match at the Junior Pan Am Cup men’s volleyball tournament.
The Canadians beat previously undefeated Chile 25-17, 25-18, 25-23 and will face Venezuela for the championship on Monday evening. (see: Preview)
Nicholas Hoag of Sherbrooke, Que., scored 11 kills, two blocks and a service ace for 14 points to lead Canadian scorers. Daniel Moreau of Sherbrooke and Bradley Kufske of Abbotsford, B.C., added 11 points each.
The Canadian team now has a 3-2 overall record after a 1-2 mark in the round robin. It advanced to the final four hammering the Dominican Republic in Saturday’s quarterfinal.
Chile had gone 3-0 in the round robin including a tournament opening victory over Canada in five sets to get a bye to the semis.
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PANAMA CITY – Canada’s National Junior team shifted into high gear on Saturday at the Junior Pan Am Cup men’s volleyball tournament thumping the Dominican Republic 25-17, 25-14, 25-16 in quarter-final action.
With the victory Canada advances to a semifinal match-up with Venezuela on Sunday. The Canadians had finished third in their group in round robin play with a 1-2 record but showed Saturday they are saving their best for the crucial playoff matches.
Nicholas Hoag of Sherbrooke, Que., led Canada with 14 points which included two service aces. Bradley Kufske of Abbotsford, B.C., added nine points and Tristan Aubry of Edmonton eight including three on blocks.
In the other quarter-final, Puerto Rico hammered Panama 25-14, 25-14, 25-17 and face Chile in Sunday’s other semi. The championship match is scheduled for Monday.
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In Friday, June 24th action Canada lost 3-1 to Puerto Rico 17-25, 25-23, 27-25, 25-16 and advanced to the quarter-finals at the eight-country Panama Cup junior men’s volleyball tournament.
The Canadians conclude the round robin portion of the tournament with a 1-2 record and third spot in Group B division. The Puerto Ricans place second while Chile defeated winless Mexico to take top spot in the group.
Daniel Moreau was the top Canadian scorer with 14 points while Alex Davis of White Rock, B.C., added 11. Canada’s six starters, Moreau, Davis, Tommy Belisle of Quebec City, Lucas Van Berkel of Edmonton, Branden Schmidt of Winton, Alta., Jarron Mueller of Calgary and Libero Jay Olmstead of Edmonton played almost the entire match.
Canada’s quarter-final opponent will be the Dominican Republic, second place in Group A. The first place teams in each group get a bye to Sunday’s semifinal while and second and third crossover in the quarters. The placement matches are Monday.
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On Thursday, Bradley Kufske of Abbotsford, B.C., scored 18 points to lead Canada to its first victory in round robin play at the Junior Pan Am Cup men’s volleyball tournament.
The Canadians defeated Mexico 25-16, 25-22, 20-25, 25-20 to even their record at one win and one loss. Chile defeated Puerto Rico in straight games to grab top spot in Group B at 2-0 while Canada and Puerto Rico are 1-1 and Mexico is 0-2.
Three other Canadians scored 12 points each. Lucas Van Berkel of Edmonton, who registered six of his points on blocks and added two service aces, as well as Daniel Moreau and Nicholas Hoag, both of Sherbrooke, Que.
The Canadians conclude the round robin Friday against Puerto Rico. The top team in each Group gets a bye to the semifinals while second and third place must play a quarterfinal on Saturday. The semis are Sunday and the placement matches Monday.
Men’s National Junior team
B.C.: Alex Davis, White Rock; Bradley Kufske, Abbotsford; Derek Thiessen, Coquitlam
Alberta: Tristan Aubry, Edmonton; Jay Olmstead, Edmonton; Lucas VanBerkel, Edmonton; Branden Schmidt, Winton; Jarron Mueller, Calgary
Saskatchewan: Braden McLean, Birch Hills
Manitoba: Brett Wiess, Winnipeg
Ontario: Tyler (TJ) Sanders, London
Quebec: Nicholas Hoag, Sherbrooke; Daniel Moreau, Sherbrooke; Tommy Bélisle, Quebec City
Head coach: Georges Laplante, Montreal
Assistant coaches: Greg Barthel, Regina and Brad Poplawski, Edmonton