NOV. 18, 2023: In the final for gold, Canada experienced its first loss at 2023 WPV Sitting Volleyball World Cup in Cairo, Egypt.
China won the women’s tournament after a 3-1 (25-23, 25-16, 17-25, 25-20) result in today’s match. However, with China already qualified for Paris 2024, Canada received the berth as the highest ranked team that was not yet qualified for the Paralympics.
“Silver’s always hard, as it’s a loss in the end, but China is a very good competitor and an experienced team,” said team veteran and captain Danielle Ellis. “But we are going to go home, work hard and get ready to beat them when we are in Paris next year.”
Canadians were also among the individual award winners – congratulations to Heidi Peters (server & MVP) and Sarah Melenka (setter).
World Champions Iran won the men’s gold medal over host Egypt.
At the 2024 Paralympic Games, sitting volleyball matches will take place between Aug. 29 and Sept. 07 at the North Paris Arena and include eight teams from each gender. Canada’s women’s team finished fourth in Tokyo. The Canadian men’s team did not attend the World Cup and has not yet qualified for Paris.
Event web site: https://www.worldparavolley.org/2023-wpv-sitting-volleyball-world-cup/
Links to live streams are posted here on Facebook and streamed on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@WorldParaVolleyYT
Results overview:
Nov. 13 – CAN vs. BRA – 3-1 (15-25,25-21, 25-22, 25-20).
Nov. 14 – SLO vs. CAN (am) 1-3 (21-25, 17-25, 25-18, 14-25); CAN vs. UKR (pm) 3-0 (25-13, 25-14, 25-16)
Nov. 15 – NED vs. CAN 3-0 (25-20, 25-17, 25-8)
Nov. 16 – Quarterfinals CAN def EGY
Nov. 17 – Semifinals CAN def GER
Nov. 18 – Finals CHN def CAN
Roster:
Julie Kozun, Melfort, SK
Danielle Ellis, White Rock, BC
Jennifer Oakes, Calgary, AB
Angelena Dolezar, St. Albert, AB
Anne Fergusson, Carleton Place, ON
Jolan Wong, Vermilion, AB
Sarah Melenka, Vegreville, AB
Jayme Lynne Lepp, Vancouver, BC
Heidi Peters, Neerlandia, AB
Katelyn Wright, Edmonton, AB
Felicia Voss-Shafiq, Burnaby, BC
Jennifer McCreesh, Smithers, BC
Allison Lang, Edmonton, AB
Staff
Nicole Ban, head coach
Chelsea Hobbs, assistant coach
Kate Rozendaal, assistant coach
Yung Yung Wong, therapist
Ian Halliday, team manager
Onika Green, mental performance coach
Lionel Bonnaure, performance analyst
Volleyball Canada Media Contact:
Jackie Skender
jskender@volleyball.ca
Mobile: 613-794-7676
