Canadian women's volleyball team earns spot in Olympic qualifier
Puerto Rico defeated Canada 3-1 (23-25, 25-19, 25-20, 25-17) to win the bronze medal of the NORCECA Women's Continental Championship on Friday at Bicentenario Auditorium in Morelia, Michoacan.
Puerto Rico held a 54-35 margin in kills, a 10-8 advantage in blocking and 6-1 in aces, however they committed more errors than Canada (37-28).
"In the first set we played basic volleyball - receiving, passing and scoring," said Canada's captain Brittney Page.
"Even with the loss, it was a big step from our previous performances at the Pan Am Games and past NORCECA tournaments...the team is stronger."
The crucial top-four placing allows Canada to enter the Olympic qualification tournament early next year.
"I was hoping for a little bit more, our receiving and passing were off, we didn't play as well as we did in the previous matches," said Canada's coach Arnd Ludwig.
"Achieving our minimum goal of qualifying to the final four is a big step in the right direction."
Final ranking:
1. United States
2. Dominican Republic
3. Puerto Rico
4. Canada
5. Cuba
6. Mexico
7. Trinidad and Tobago
8. Costa Rica
