Canada loses opening match at NORCECA Youth Volleyball Championships

GUADALAJARA, Mexico – Canada, represented by Calgary’s under-17 Canuck Contact team, lost to the U.S., in its opening round robin match on Tuesday at the nine-country NORCECA men’s youth volleyball championships.

The Americans, which are fielding a national team for the tournament, took the match 25-14, 25-17, 25-11. Matthew Silver was the top Canadian scorer with five points.

“We were excited and a little nervous,” said Calgary’s team captain William Bremner, making his international debut like all of his teammates. ¨We we wanted to play well and we hope to do better in the next games.¨

Calgary’s coach Don Saxton says the match was a great experience for his young squad.

¨I felt very happy with our team, although physically, the Americans are stronger than us,” said Saxton. “I felt good with our control of the ball and with passing. We´re in very good spirits even though we didn´t win today.¨

Canada completes its round robin portion of the tournament on Wednesday against Cuba. The playoff round starts Friday.

The other Canadian team members are: Brett Walsh, Brian Prigden, Alex Cook, Luke Rauwarda, Scott Brunet, Sean Martin, Taylor Lebo, Evan Morrow, Matt Traynor and Matt Honeychurch.

More information: www.norceca.org