Canada finishes seventh in five-set win to Peru

COLIMA, Mexico, June 20, 2019.- Canada finishes seventh place in a nail-biting five-set win to Peru 3-2 (25-23, 25-20, 21-25, 21-25, 17-15) at the fourteenth Men’s Pan American Cup on Thursday at the Multifunctional Auditorium of Colima, Mexico.

Canada leading by two sets, gave Peru numerous opportunities for a tie-break finish leading 57-52 in attacks and 4-3 in aces, while Peru led 15-13 in blocks. Canada finished with 38 errors scoring on 36 of Peru.

Canada used a balanced scoring attack with opposite Adam Schouten and middle blocker Jordan McConkey chipping in with 16 points apiece, McConkey on 7 blocks; outside hitters Craig Ireland and Braedon Friesen scored 15 points each. Opposite Eduardo Romay carried Peru’s offense with a match-high of 25 points including 21 kills, middle blocker Daniel Urueña recorded 12 points including 7 blocks, while Alvaro Hidalgo also chipped in with 12 points.

Comments:

John Barrett, coach Canada: “We got off to a very good start and we let them back in the door, thinking the match was already over and it’s not until the last ball is gone. I think it was a great growing experience for our young team and some young players; we played two junior players on the court today so it’s a great international experience for our guys”.

Juan Gala, coach Peru: “The team grew every day of the tournament, competing at the same level with every opponent; I go back home very happy. We started and finish in five sets as well, against great teams (Puerto Rico and Canada), the team never felt less and today they performed well”.