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SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, December 8, 2015 - Canada and
Dominican Republic won the NORCECA Final Four Cups of men and
women, respectively, as four teams from the region qualified to
the FIVB World Cup, the first step in the qualification process
to Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games.
The men’s event took place at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, USA
while the women’s competition was held in Havana, Cuba.
United States in the men’s event and Cuba in the women’s
tournament also qualified to the World Cup in Japan.
Canada won a tough border battle over the United States 3-2
(25-22, 19-25, 21-25, 25-21, 17-15) in the final match of the
NORCECA Men’s Final Four Cup at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit.
Cuba defeated Dominican Republic 3-1 (22-25, 25-18, 25-13,
25-23) in the final day of the NORCECA Women’s Final Four Cup.
Canada’s libero Daniel Lewis was named the Most Valuable Player
of the tournament while Lisvel Eve of Dominican Republic took
the women’s honors.
Canada won the men’s round-robin tournament at 3-0 while the
United States finished second at 2-1. Both teams qualified for
the 2015 FIVB World Cup in Japan, which is the first chance to
qualify for the 2016 Olympic Games.
Cuba placed third with a 3-0 (25-17, 25-22, 25-15) win over
Mexico in Saturday’s first match.
Canada’s opposite Steven Marshall, playing for usual starter
Gavin Schmitt, led his team with 21 points while outside hitter
Toonthe Lankvelt added 15. USA’s outside hitter Matt Anderson
led all the scorers with 24 points.
In the women’s event,
with two triumphs in the tournament and a total 10 points, the
Dominicans qualified for the event in Japan after winning the
first set.
From then on, the Cubans increased their attacks aware of only
winning the three following sets they could clinch the remaining
ticket for a better point-ratio quotient than Puerto Rico, 3-0
winners of the first match over Canada.
Melissa Vargas was the top-scorer (20). For the visiting team,
Marianne Fersola was the only Dominican with a double-digit
tally (10). |
