Canada scores first win at U19 Pan Am Cup

JUANA DIAZ, Puerto Rico, May 10, 2023.- Canada scored their first win after defeating Honduras 3-0 (25-10, 25-7, 25-13) at the Girls’ U19 NORCECA Pan American Cup in Puerto Rico.

Canada will close the preliminary round on Thursday against the Dominican Republic to secure a spot in the quarterfinal round, and Honduras will face host Puerto Rico.

Canada overwhelmed Honduras with advantages in every skill, 34-2 in attacks, 15-1 in serves and 5-2 in blocks, but Honduras committed fewer errors (21-25).

Outside hitter Mary Healy topped Canada’s scorers with 9 points, team captain Taylor de Boer chipped in 8 points and middle blocker Ella Piskorz tallied 7.

Middle blocker Natalia Aguilar scored two points for Honduras.

Mary Healy, outside hitter of Canada: “I am really happy for the win after a tough game yesterday against Puerto Rico; we battled this game and stayed strong. Today we were more focused on our energy and fight rather than just staying in the match. Tomorrow we´re excited to bring great energy and the warrior mentality we’ve been talking about in practice”.

Natalia Aguilar, middle blocker of Honduras: “We are aware that we aren’t at the same game level as the teams we’ve faced. We have taken it as a learning experience and with a good attitude, celebrating each point to take out the best of this opportunity”.