Canada caps group stage with win to advance to semifinals

 

MONCTON, Canada, September 13, 2026. – Canada completed a perfect group stage Sunday at the NORCECA Men’s Continental Championship.

 

The host Canadians dispatched Mexico 3-0 (25-15, 25-18, 25-20) to win Group A with a 3-0 record. With the win they advance straight to Tuesday’s semifinals at the Avenir Centre in Moncton, Canada.

 

Canada got off to a strong start in the first set. After a back-and-forth first few points had them leading 10-9, Canada scored five of the next six points to make it 15-10 on the way to a 25-15 set win. Mexico held slim early leads in the second and third sets, but in both cases Canada pulled ahead midway and never looked back.

 

Canada was dominant in blocks (13-2) and aces (9-2) and held a 35-32 edge in attacks. Sharone Vernon-Evans was the top scorer for the hosts with 15 points, including a match-high four aces. Eric Loeppky (12 points – 8 kills, 1 block and 3 aces) and Fynn McCarthy (11 points, including a match-high six blocks) were also scoring standouts for Canada. Libero Landon Currie led Canada with seven digs.

 

Diego González Castañeda (13 points) was the top scorer for Mexico, which finishes Group A play 2-1 and will play in quarter-final action Monday. Hiram Said Bravo Moreno was the top digger with 12.

 

Eight teams are competing for three berths to the 2027 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Cup in Poland, which will be decided Wednesday. The tournament will also determine the teams that advance to next weekend’s final NORCECA qualification stage for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

 

Dan Lewis, Canada coach: “Congratulations to Mexico, they always come to play. Right now they have a team that gives you a lot of serving pressure. They missed more than usual tonight, but that’s where they can put stress on you. Our guys did a really good job to manage that, especially Landon did a really good job, then when our serve was on you could see that would shift each set. I’m happy for the team that we got the first goal to win the pool to earn the day off. That will set us up physically for what we need to do.”

 

Captain Eric Loeppky, Canada: “I think we’re moving in the right direction. Obviously we’re super happy with the win. I know we still have to bring more to beat Cuba and the U.S. and just kind of up our game that last 10 per cent. I’m happy with the result, obviously we earned that rest day and I’m excited for what’s to come. It’s huge for the body to have that day off. It’s a long tournament so it’s really important.”