Canada heads to the playoffs on winning note at Parapan American Games

GUADALAJARA – Canada’s men’s sitting volleyball team completed round robin play Wednesday with a resounding 25-9, 25-16, 25-17 victory over Costa Rica to clinch a berth in the semifinals.

The Canadians conclude the round robin with three wins and two losses for third spot and a likely encounter with Brazil in one of Thursday’s semis.

In Wednesday’s match against the Costa Ricans, David Marchand of St. Albert, Alta., scored four aces, including two back-to-back to end the first set, en route to a game high 14 points performance. 

Team captain Austin Hinchey of Edmonton added nine points while Chad Drummond and Edmonton and Douglas Learoyd of Calgary followed with seven apiece. Greg Stewart of Kamloops scored the final two kills of the match.

Earlier Wednesday, the Canadians lost to Brazil 25-15, 25-20, 22-25, 25-9. Learoyd led Canada with eighth points.

Heading into the final U.S.,- Colombia round robin match, the Americans top the standings at 4-0, the Brazilians are 4-1, Canada 3-2, Costa Rica and Mexico are 1-4 and Colombia 1-3.

Canadian team roster: