Canada Wins Decisive Match to Advance to Quarterfinals

LEÓN, Mexico, September 15, 2026.- Canada came out on top in a head-to-head match against Nicaragua that determined third place in Pool A and a berth in the quarterfinals of the 2026 Women’s Pan American Cup on Tuesday at the Domo de la Feria in León, Guanajuato.

Canada defeated Nicaragua 3-0 (25-13, 25-9, 25-18) to close pool play with a 2-2 record and finish in third place. Nicaragua finished with a 1-3 record and will continue in the classification round for positions 7-10.

Canada will face the loser of the match between Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico in the quarterfinals. Nicaragua will face Costa Rica on Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. in a classification match for positions 7-10.

The Canadians made the biggest difference at the net, where they did not allow Nicaragua to score a single block. Canada finished with a 34-21 advantage in attacks and a commanding 10-0 edge in blocks, while also leading 6-2 in aces. Nicaragua committed 25 errors compared to 17 by Canada.

Canada controlled the first set 25-13 and, although Nicaragua stayed close during the early exchanges of the second, the Canadians quickly pulled away to dominate it 25-9. Nicaragua put up more resistance in the third, but Canada once again built a comfortable advantage and closed out the match 25-18.

Emma Boyd delivered an all-around performance to lead Canada with 13 points, including six attacks, four blocks and three aces. Jessica Andrews added 11 points on seven attacks, two blocks and two aces. Josafat Díaz was Nicaragua’s leading scorer with five points.

Matthew Krueger, head coach of Canada: “We’re learning lessons as we go. Today, we talked about being like a business. We need to show up — business time. We go one step at a time, we play with purpose. And I think if we continue to play with purpose, everyone on the team has a role that they need to continue to crush. We’re gonna be okay. But as soon as we get away from the purpose that we’re here to do, whether it be the game plan, the shots that we’re hitting, we fall away from that, we struggle. So that’s the challenge with us as a younger team. Can we stick to the purpose that we’re here for?”

Claudia Noguera, head coach of Nicaragua: “Winning a match in the preliminary round gives us a better position. Now we have to face the last-place team from the other pool, which is Costa Rica. I think the team is prepared to face them.”