Canada Opens U17 Pan Am Cup With Five-Set Win Over Costa Rica

COLIMA, Mexico, June 17, 2024. - Canada opened the Boys U17 Pan American Cup with a five-set victory (23-25, 27-25, 21-25, 31-29, 15-10) over Costa Rica in Colima, Mexico.

On the second day of pool A, Canada (1-0) will face Guatemala, and Costa Rica (0-1) will play against the host country, Mexico.

Canada took 2 hours and 26 minutes to open pool A of the event, splitting sets with Costa Rica until winning in a thrilling five-set match.

Canada dominated in attacks (70-58), in blocks (16-13), and had a slight edge (5-4) in aces. Canada capitalized on 26 points from Costa Rican errors but also gave away 39 points on  their own errors.

Outside hitters Seth Brunoro and Tyson Dezutter led Canada’s offense with 18 points each. Opposite hitter William Clarmo also contributed with 16 points.

The top scorer of the match was Costa Rica’s outside hitter Ian Sánchez with impressive 31 points. Deyman López added 17 points.

The Canadians managed to extend to a tie-break in a dramatic fourth set that ended 31-29. Canada lost their first set point (24-23) after a powerful attack by Deyman López. Costa Rica missed the chance to close the match (25-24) due to a serve error by Ian Esquivel, and again (26-25) due to a successful attack by William Clarmo; but Costa Rica’s Ian Sánchez tied the score at 27 points. Canada’s next chance to win the fourth set came from another kill by Clarmo, but Sánchez tied it again at 28. An attack by Tyson Dezutter tied it at 29, but then he missed a serve. Two Costa Rican errors forced the match to a fifth set, which Canada won, always staying ahead in the score.

Tyson Dezutte, team captain of Canada said “We passed very well and we received well. Our setters put the ball in a good location. It was a good team effort”.

Gabriel Córdob, team captain of Costa Rica said  “We played a good game. We weren’t able to take advantage of the opportunities at the end. I feel we can improve our team spirit”.