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RENO, USA (Aug. 17, 2015)
– Venezuela and Canada battled for five sets before the South
Americans pulled out the 25-22, 18-25, 25-23, 17-25, 19-17 win
on Sunday for the bronze medal at the Pan American Cup at the
Reno Events Center.
Venezuela finishes the tournament in third at 4-2 and will head
to the FIVB World Cup in September to try to qualify for the
2016 Olympic Games. Canada finishes fourth at 3-3.
After the teams split the first four sets, the fifth set was a
battle back and forth. With the score tied 13-13, Venezuela took
the first match point on Canada’s hitting error, but then
Venezuela served out of bounds. Venezuela took match point two
more times before Canada took its first match point at 17-16,
but then it hit the ball out of bounds. At 17-17, Venezuela
outside hitter Willner Rivas served an ace and Kervin Pinerua
followed with an attack through the block for the victory.
Ironically, Canada led in all three scoring categories: kills
(66-64), blocks (13-3) and aces (7-5). Canada’s hitting
efficiency was .455 while Venezuela’s was .374.
Venezuela scored 32 points on Canada errors while committing 26.
Pinerua led Venezuela with 18 points on 18 spikes. Outside
hitters Maximo Montoya and Rivas each added 17 points.
Canada outside hitter Stephen Maar led all scorers with 24
points on 18 spikes, four blocks and two aces. Opposite Casey
Schouten added 18 points on 12 spikes, one block and a
match-high five aces.
Venezuela captain, Kervin Urbina Pinerua
"We're very happy with a victory. It was a very tough match with
a Canada team playing very. It was a beautiful show for these
spectators and we're very happy with a bronze medal. I think
every player assumed his role and his responsibility on the
court in the fifth set."
Venezuela coach, Vicenzo Nacci
"I'm very happy for the guys. We have a lot of problems in our
federation to receive proper funds so we are pleased with how we
performed. 23 weeks without practicing to come here, there
shouldn't be that kind of program. We are happy for the players
because this demonstrates the ability that they have. I expect
that if I'm able to carry on my plan with better help then I
will take them further. I understand the problems in Venezuela
but we need more help."
Canada captain, Brett Walsh
"We learned a lot. We're a fairly young team and we gained some
good experience. I think we played eight different that all play
different styles of play. I think we learned that at this level
it takes patience. Sometimes we play a little too overzealous so
I think that's a valuable lesson for us going forward."
Canada head coach, Jose Alvare
"I think consistency is something we need to work on. We know
we're playing at a high level but we have to maintain that. This
is the first competition of the summer for these guys because we
can't afford to travel all over the world and unfortunately that
shows on the court. This has been a learning experience and
hopefully we can build upon it. This is a very good group of
players." |
