HERMOSILLO, Mexico, July 23, 2023.- Canada beat Cuba 3-0 (25-18, 25-9, 25-20) for fifth place at the Women’s U23 Pan American Cup on Saturday at the Sonora Arena in Hermosillo, Mexico.
Canada ended the event with a 3-3 record for fifth place and Cuba with 1-4 record in sixth. Canada also beat Cuba in the preliminary round in four sets.
Canada outperformed Cuba in every skill of the game, in attacks (33-22), in blocks (11-3) and points from serves (9-0). Both teams gave away 22 points from unforced errors.
Canada’s leading scorers were middle blockers Kaylee Plouffe and Jessica Andrews with 13 and 10 points respectively. Plouffe on 11 kills and two blocks and Andrews on 6 blocks and 4 aces. Opposite Lucy Borowski added 10 points on 6 kills, one block and three aces.
Opposite hitter Claudia Tarin led Cuba with 7 points, and outside hitter Thainalien Castillo with 6 points.
Isabella Noble, setter of Canada: “Our team came out really excited today and I think we performed really well. We came together as a team, and it felt so good to end the tournament on a high. Our serves were really aggressive, we kept Cuba low at the beginning of sets and that helped us later on”.
Carolyn O’Dwyer, coach of Canada: “I am really proud how we came out and we were in an aggressive mode to start, that’s how we wanted to serve this match. I think it’s really easy in these matches to not fight and battle, but I am proud my group did, making sure that every match matters”.
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