Canada’s drops opener to U.S., at women’s Pan Am Cup

CIUDAD JUÁREZ, México (July 12, 2012) – The United States defeated Canada 25-15, 25-22, 25-15 in the opening round robin match Thursday for both teams at the 12-country Pan American Cup women’s volleyball tournament.

Lauren Gibbemeyer and Nancy Metcalf were the best scorers for the U.S., with 14 points apiece, while on the Canadian side, Sarah Pavan of Kitchener, Ont., recorded 10 tallies. Shanice Marcelle of Victoria and Lisa Barclay of Brandon, Man., added eight points each.

It was the first match as Team Canada captain for Brittney Page of Vernon, B.C., following the retirement last month of Tammy Mahon.

“This is my first match as captain and also the first one with the new group of players so we are trying to find our rhythm,” Page stated.

Despite this result, Canada’s coach Arnd Ludwig commented that he saw some good performances by his team, especially in the second set.

“USA found our weaknesses, especially in the pass and the other difference was in the unforced errors,’’ he said.

Canada’s next match is Friday against the Dominican Republic.

Canadian team for the Pan Am Cup women’s volleyball tournament July 12-20, 2012 in Ciudad, Mexico:

Middles:

Jaimie Thibeault, Full-Time Training Centre (Winnipeg), Sylvan Lake, AB

Alicia Perrin, Trinity Western University, Creston, BC

Jennifer Cross, University of Michigan, Scarborough, ON

Rebecca Pavan, University of Kentucky Kitchener, ON

Setters:

Kelci French, Trinity Western University, Okotoks, AB

Jaclyn Ellis, Univeristy of Alberta, Mississauga, ON

Left Sides:

Brittney Page, Sollentuna VK, (Sweden), Vernon, BC

Shanice Marcelle, University of British Columbia, Victoria, BC 

Lisa Barclay, University of British Columbia, Brandon, MB

Marie-Pier Murray-Methot, Val-de-Travers (Switzerland), Quebec City, QC

Right Side:

Sarah Pavan, Villa Cortese (Italy), Kitchener, ON

Libero:

Janie Guimond, Sport Club Municpal Craiova (Romania), Becancour, QC

Information: www.norcea.net and www.volleyball.ca