It may in part be due to the supportive spectators in the crowd during the past two night, or maybe it is just stellar play – either way, Canada has won both its games in Langley this week, and qualified to head to Japan next year.
Canada remains undefeated after two of three games in the Senior Women’s Continental Championship and world qualifiers being held Thursday through today (Saturday) at the Langley Events Centre.
“Tonight was very important because we took the qualification and we played good volleyball,” said Canada’s head coach Marcello Abbondanza.
On Thursday, Canada out-powered St. Lucian by the score of 3-0.
““I appreciate the spirit in which St. Lucia played; I think they tried to give everything they had and this is what sport is about. I think my team was focused and just tried to play our best volleyball,” Abbondanza said.
Similarly the women won 3-0 again Friday night against Nicaragua.
“Now the big challenge is tomorrow against Cuba – we are already both qualified, but I think tomorrow is important for us to show how we have progressed and to demonstrate some good volleyball to the Canadian fans.”
The win puts Canada in the top two teams, with Cuba, to advance to the 2018 World Championships, which will be held in Japan.
In the meantime, those two teams face off tonight (Saturday)for number one spot in this group.
While the NORCECA sponsored championships for the women are being held in Langley, the men’s teams are playing in Colorado Springs.
They’re fairing similarly as well in competition as their female counterparts running 2-0.
Canada won their first series of three games against St. Lucia Wednesday, then won the matches against Trinidad & Tobago on Thursday- qualifying for the semifinals today (Saturday).
They go up against the United States later today, hoping for the win.
Of note, the Canada men’s team has defeated the United States the last two times they have played.
The women play Cuba tonight at 8 p.m. at the LEC.
Tickets for the qualifier can be purchased online.
People can also stay up-to-date on World Championship qualifier event Facebook page @VolleyballCanada.