August 13, 2023: Canada’s women’s team is taking lessons learned from the eighth-place performance at the 20th Women’s Pan American Cup in Puerto Rico that wrapped up on Sunday evening.
Mexico won the 7/8 final classification match on Sunday 3-1 (25-13, 21-25, 25-20, 25-23) over Canada. Mexico’s Karen Rivera topped all scoring with 27 points; Vicky Savard and Andrea Mitrovic both had 17 points for Canada.
“Tournaments like these are important in gaining meaningful international experience across our program,” explained Head Coach Shannon Winzer. “While I think we saw some solid individual performances, at times we struggled with consistency and controlling first contact to be able to run an offense. These events allow us to take stock of where we are at as a wider program and recommit to the process of increasing depth of talent that can compete internationally.”
Canada was 2-2 in the pool stage: After losing its tournament opener to Colombia, Canada beat Costa Rica and Peru, then lost to the United States. In the quarterfinals on Friday, Canada succumbed to Argentina (who advanced to the gold-match against Puerto Rico on Sunday, and then won the tournament). This put Canada in the position to compete for 5th place, but Peru’s squad swept the Canadians on Saturday 3-0 (25-20, 25-22, 25-21) landing the team in Sunday’s North American battle.
Canada’s team in this tournament was a mix of senior athletes and NextGen program players.
“The journey is long and it is not easy,” said Winzer, looking ahead to an important phase for the program. Canada will be in Quebec City later this month for the NORCECA Championship, a crucial event to prepare for September’s Olympic Qualification tournament in China.
Pan Am Cup web site: www.norceca.net
Canada’s roster
Quinn Pelland, Wanham, AB
Averie Allard, Winnipeg, MB
Caroline Livingston (Captain), Kelowna, BC
Hilary Howe, Calgary, AB
Andrea Mitrovic, Mississauga, ON
Vicky Savard, Jonquière, QC
Shainah Joseph, Ottawa, ON
Sydney Grills, Vancouver, BC
Layne Van Buskirk, Windsor, ON
Alicia Ogoms, Winnipeg, MB
Nyadholi Thokbuom, Calgary, AB
Avery Heppell, Langley, BC
Julia Murmann, Toronto, ON
Kacey Jost, St. Albert, AB
Staff:
Shannon Winzer – Head coach
Vincenzo Mallia – Assistant coach
Matt Krueger – Assistant coach
Gabriele Tortorici – Performance analyst
Kevin Valcke – Physiotherapist
Robert Hooper – Strength & Conditioning
Dale Melnick – Team Lead
Volleyball Canada Media Contact:
Jackie Skender
jskender@volleyball.ca
Mobile: 613-794-7676
