Team Canada beat Mexico 25-16, 25-14, 25-17 in their opening game of the North American men’s volleyball Olympic qualification tournament from Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver, British Columbia on Friday evening. The winner of the four team tournament, which also includes Puerto Rico and Cuba, qualifies for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.
In the the Canadian victory on Friday, Stephen Maar of Aurora, Ontario led Canada with 11 points. Maar also led Canada with nine spikes. John Gordon Perrin of Creston, British Columbia and Daniel Jansen Van Doorn of Langley, British Columbia each led Canada with two blocks, while Van Doorn and Jay Blankenau of Edmonton, Alberta each led Canada with two aces.
Team Canada bounced back very nicely in this game after struggling in the opening minutes of the first set. Mexico actually had a narrow lead before Canada was able to regroup.
In the other game from the North American men’s volleyball Olympic qualification tournament on Friday, Cuba beat Puerto Rico 25-18, 25-14, 25-19. This sets up a fascinating matchup on Saturday evening between Canada and Cuba, with the winner probably going to the Olympic Games.
Nine countries have already qualified in men’s volleyball for the 2020 Olympic Games. They are France, the United States, Japan, Brazil, Italy, Poland, Russia, Argentina and Tunisia.
