Canada outplays Colombia to start Pool A

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, July 2, 2016 – Canada outplayed Colombia 3-1 (25-21, 18-25, 25-16, 25-21) in the first match of Pool A at the XV Women’s Pan American Cup on Saturday. The winners outscored their opponents 55-35 in spikes, 10-6 in blocks and 8-7 in aces.

Shainah Joseph led four Canadian players with double figures by scoring 18 points, including one block and three aces. Daniel Brisebois contributed 14 points in the victory while Lucille Charuk and Michaela Reesor finished with 13 points apiece.

Colombia’s Kenny Pino had a match-high 20 points and Dayana Segovia had 10 points in the losing cause.

The start of the match was delayed due to a power outage and then with the score tied at 7-7 in the first set because of several leaks of water dripping onto the court following a rainstorm.

“We started the match very focused and served well despite the good defense of Colombia,” Charuk said. “That was the key for us.”

“I don’t know what happened but that’s not the way we play,” Colombia’s Maria Marin said. “We improved a little in the second set but lost the focus. It is a long tournament and we hope we can play better in the next matches.”

“We served very well and that was the key for us as we put some pressure on the Colombian defense,” Canadian coach Arnd Ludwig said. “It is good to start with a win because this is a long tournament.”

“The challenge for Colombia will be to find some level of consistency,” coach Eduardo Guillaume said. “We played some good long rallies but also made too many mistakes.”