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”.
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