Young Canadians on to NORCECA Championship semis

A young generation of Canadian players showed promise as the country advanced to the semifinals of the 2021 Men’s NORCECA Senior Volleyball Continental Championship in Durango, Mexico, on Saturday.

Playing with an entirely different squad than the one that represented the country at the Tokyo Olympics, the Canadians prevailed in a five-set (22-25, 25-22, 25-15, 22-25, 15-10) battle against the other team from the region that competed in the Olympic Games earlier this month, the United States, in the quarterfinals.

Opposite Xander Ketrzynski, 21, was a key player in the Canadian victory as he registered a match high 25 points – 17 kills, four aces and four blocks. Outside hitter Brandon Koppers, 25, added 19 for the winners – 16 kills and three blocks – while 23-year-old opposite Jake Hanes was the top American scorer with 15 – 12 kills, two blocks, one ace.

“We fought really hard and did whatever it took to win tonight,” said Canadian setter and captain Brett Walsh. “We had different players stepping up at different times, some playing in different positions that they usually do. We have to come out with the same energy and focus in the semifinal match”.

Reigning champions and 16-time NORCECA Championship winners Cuba also made it to the semifinals after the Caribbean team won Pool B, the same path taken by hosts Mexico, who finished on top of Pool B.

Puerto Rico emerged as the fourth and last semifinalists after they downed the Dominican Republic 3-1 (25-22, 22-25, 25-16, 25-23) with 26 points – 19 kills, six blocks and one ace – from star opposite Gabriel Garcia.

The semifinals in Durango will take place on Sunday while the medal matches are set to be played on Monday, the final day of the tournament in Mexico. The two finalists will secure spots for the 2022 FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championships.