Canada Opens Championship with Sweep of St. Lucia

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado, September 27, 2017 – Canada got off to a strong start at the NORCECA Men’s Continental Championship with a 25-9, 25-13, 25-8 win over St. Lucia on Wednesday.

St. Lucia completed pool play with an 0-2 record while Canada opens at 1-0. Canada will face Trinidad & Tobago on Thursday.

Canada was strong from the service line and finished with 12 aces. The North Americans also led St. Lucia in spikes (27-14) and blocks (8-2). Canada scored 28 points on U.S. errors while committing 14 errors.

Canada’s captain Gordon Perrin at outside hitter led all scorers with 14 points on a match-high eight spikes, two blocks and four aces.

Canada outside hitter Stephen Maar finished with seven spikes on seven attempts. He also had one block.

St. Lucia outside hitter Joseph Clercent led his team with seven points on seven spikes.

Canada Captain Gordon Perrin: "We didn't know much about St. Lucia, but we knew it was more about us and getting our bearings to start the tournament. So later on when we're tested, we can perform. We watched video on them a little bit. They run a tricky offense, if you will. No, it was just about us and playing well and that was all that we wanted to do.”

Canada Head Coach Stephane Antiga: "We wanted to make a nice and serious first game, which we did. I'm pretty happy. We expect more difficult games ahead, but most importantly, it was pretty, pretty positive, so I'm satisfied.”

St. Lucia Head Coach Terry Verdant: “We were playing such a tough team and we played really well. I really enjoyed it. The guys were more like a team. They were together. I think we will continue to get better.”

St. Lucia Captain Servin Mongroo: “We didn’t put as much pressure on ourselves so I guess we were more relaxed. I think we played better today as a team.”