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TEPIC, Nayarit, Mexico, July 14, 2022.- Canada
improved their record 3-1 after defeating
Dominican Republic 3-0 (25-22, 25-18, 25-20) on
Thursday at the NORCECA Final Six Pan American
Cup at the Amado Nervo Auditorium of Tepic,
Nayarit.
It was a crucial victory for Canada to being a
step closer to the semifinals, while as for
Dominican Republic with 0-3 will play for fifth
place in the event.
Canada blanked Dominican Republic with an
overwhelming 42-25 advantage in attacks and 10-2
in serves. Canada scored on 27 opponent errors
and limited theirs to 17. Canadians also held a
slim 7-6 margin in blocks.
Outside hitter Brandon Koppers led Canada’s
scorers with 11 points on 9 kills, 2 blocks and
aces, followed by also outside hitter Logan
House and middle blocker Xander Ketrzynski
scored 10 points apiece.
Team captain, opposite hitter Henry Tapia, was
the only Dominican player with double-digits,
scoring 13 points on 11 kills and two blocks.
Canada resumes the preliminary round on Friday
against Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic
facing the United States.
Luke Herr, Captain of Canada:
“We are playing really well so far, it helped us
to come here earlier and get some practice
matches to get adapted to the gym. We are ready
for the next game and whatever comes after that;
we’ll prepare for every match”.
Dan Ota, Head Coach of Canada:
“It’s a long tournament, we may have to play
seven matches in seven days, so every opponent
is difficult. We are very excited to be able to
win today and being one win closer to being in a
final four position. Our next opponent (Puerto
Rico) is a very athletic team that will give us
a lot of problems, we will have to be prepared
for them because it’s our last game in the
preliminary phase”.
Alexander Gutierrez, Head Coach of Dominican
Republic:
“It was a complicated match because Canada plays
orderly and facing a team like ours that’s not
as organized because of so many young players
and lack of experience. We are closing the
preliminary round against the United States, it
will be hard because they have the
characteristic of playing these tournaments from
less to more and they get adjusted as a team,
they get organized and they are also orderly,
it’s the American school; we play with a lot of
passion”. |
