The U-23 Pan American Men’s Volleyball Cup has been held at the Langley Event Centre which saw the men’s team from Trinity Western University represent Canada in hopes of pulling off an upset, grabbing the Championship.
They did make it to the semi-finals in a match which will be talked about for the next while – no doubt at upcoming meets. a strong performance by Argentina saw them defeat Canada in straight sets 27-25, 25-15, and 25-23 to advance to the Gold Medal match against Brazil in the Sunday final.
Canada put forward a good effort falling just short in the opening and third sets giving Argentina all they could handle; but in the end Argentina were the better team.
The loss to Canada meant they will face the Domican Republic for the Bronze Medal.
A hard fought first set between Canada and Argentina which saw them get out to an early 5-2 lead but Canada fought back which saw them battle back twice to tie the game. At one point it was tied at 17 but a faster Argentina took another.
Not to be out done Canada battled back evening the set at 24.
The Argentina squad scored three of the next four points to close out the set going on to win 27-25.Argentina’s second set was strong as they dominated the Canada coming away with a commanding 25-15 win going up 2-0.
They took 18 of a possible 25 points after Canada fought back to close to within 7-5 early in the set.
Canada’s third and eventually final set saw them give Argentina all they could handle opening up a 12-10 lead.
Not a lack of trying for Canada they simply could not hold off a strong Argentina team the remainder of the final set.
They did manage to pull within a single point (24-23) late in the match, but it was too little too late.
The other semi-final on Saturday saw Brazil hand Mexico a straight set defeat winning 25-16, 25-16 and 25-13 advancing to the Gold Medal game on Sunday afternoon.
Canada will face the Dominican Republic for the Bronze Medal. Sunday’s Final Brazil won with a strong effort defeating Argentina in straight sets coming away with the Championship Cup.
They outscored Argentina 25-18, 25-13, and 25-18 to grab the U-23 Pan American Men’s Volleyball Cup and the title of Champion.
Over the five day’s some of the best volleyball players in the world display their skills and everyone attending the tournament was impressed.
While the numbers might have been a “tad” sparse, the overall event was spectacular to watch. The first set saw great action as the game was close with Brazil holding a slim 12-8 lead over Argentina, but Brazil was to much as they took 13 of the next 23 points to winning the opening set 25-18.
The second set Brazil over powered Argentina with a dominating game in the opening minutes and breaking the match open after Argentina trailed Brazil 12-8.
The Brazilian team was too much taking 13 of the next 16 points pulling off a 25-13 set win going up 2-0.Both squads continued to play outstanding matches and at one point in the final match it was deadlocked at 12.
It remained close with both teams exchanging points seeing Brazil holding a 23-17 lead before closing out the set to win 25-18 and all three set’s.
Domican Republic were too strong for Canadian as in the second set as they held their own before falling 25-15 for a 2-0 set lead.
In the final match Canada held a 12-10 lead and extended it to 19-15 in the set before letting the Dominican Republic come back taking 10 of the final 14 points to get the victory 25-23 win the match in 3 sets.
The LEC were gracious hosts for a world class event and Team Canada represented by Trinity Western University Spartans proved worth while competition for the World!
Hats off to the Langley Event Centre and the staff for courtesies afforded to the media to see world class athletes from around the world.
Special thanks to Jared for his assistance!!
