Canada goes fourth straight medal at NORCECA Championships

August 20, 2012

OTTAWA Canada looks to continue a string of success at the U21 NORCECA men’s volleyball championships as the 2012 edition gets underway next Sunday (August 27) in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

The NORCECA (North America, Central American and Caribbean) event, which is held bi-annually, will qualify three teams from the confederation for the 2013 FIVB Men’s Junior World Championship.

The guys are in the final stages of preparation and our training has been very productive,” said Canada’s head coach Dave Preston. “The athletes are very focused and committed to representing their country in a manner that will make all Canadians proud.

Canada is in Group B with Guatemala, Curacao and Puerto Rico. The Group A teams are the U.S., Mexico, Honduras and St. Vincent.

The first preliminary round match for Canada is August 27 against Guatemala, followed by matches August 28 against Curacao and August 29 versus Puerto Rico.

The first place team in each group gets a bye to the semifinals while second and third crossover in the quarterfinals on August 30. The semis are August 31 and the placement matches on September 1.

“This team has very solid foundations and great character,” said Preston. “With those two things in place - we are able to rely on our talent and our systems to be successful. Everyone is looking forward to the competition.”

Canada hosted the previous U21 NORCECA event in 2010 and won the silver medal losing to the U.S., in the final. The Canadians have won medals at five of the seven editions of the tournament including the last three.

Roster

Milan	Nikic	Calgary, AB	Setter
Joshua	McKay	Winnipeg, MB	Setter
Danny	Demyanenko	Toronto, ON	Middle
Jim	Bell	Surrey, BC	Middle
Alex	Russell	Surrey, BC	Middle
Ryley	Barnes	St-Paul, AB	Leftside
Dan	Groenveld	Welland, ON	Leftside
Brook	Sedore	Grande Prairie, AB	Leftside
Stephen	Maar	Aurora, ON	Leftside
Jarrid	Ireland	Winnipeg, MB	Opposite
Andrew	Nelson	Regina, SK	Opposite
Tyler	Koslowsky	Abbotsford, BC	Libero

Staff

Coach	Dave	Preston
Ass.Coach	Brad	Poplawski
Ass.Coach	Shane	St-Louis
Therapist	Caroline	Pelletier
Therapist	Luc	Campbell
Coordinator	Sophie	Gadoury
Statistician	Nathan	Janzen

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