Olympic dream over for Canadian women’s volleyball team

 TIJUANA, Mexico (May 4, 2012) – Canada and its Olympic dreams were swept by the Dominican Republic on Friday in a semifinal at the Olympic qualifying tournament in women’s volleyball.

The Dominicans, the highest ranked team at the tournament at number-nine in the world, took the match 25-15, 25-18, 25-15.  They will face Cuba for the Olympic spot in the tournament final on Saturday.

“It was a well executed game by Dominican Republic,” said Canada's captain Tammy Mahon. “They played a great match and I feel a little disappointed. I hope we can come back and finish the tournament playing a good match.” 

Sarah Pavan of Kitchener, Ont., led the Canadians with 12 points while Elizabeth Cordonier of Vancouver added seven.

“We tried to make some adjustments but they had answers for everything,” Canada’s head coach Arnd Ludwig said. “They didn’t let us to play.” 

Canada went 1-2 in the round robin earlier this week losing to Puerto Rico and the Dominicans before hammering Honduras to gain a playoff berth.  The Canadians looked impressive Wednesday in a quarterfinal victory over Mexico but ran into a Dominican squad that was firing on all cyclinders.

Canada concludes the tournament Saturday in the third place match against Puerto Rico.  The last Olympic appearance for Canada in women’s volleyball was in 1996.

WEBCAST

www.norceca.org

TOURNAMENT WEBSITE

www.norceca.org

TEAM CANADA ROSTER

 

Left Sides:

Tammy Mahon: Holland, MB

Tonya Mokelki: Weyburn, SK

Liz Cordonier: Vancouver, BC

Kyla Richey: Vancouver BC

 

Middle Blockers:

Jennifer Hinze: Vancouver, BC

Marisa Field: Vancouver, BC

Tasha Holness: Calgary, AB

 

Right Sides:

Sarah Pavan: Kitchener, ON

Brittney Page: Vernon, BC

 

Setters:

Jaclyn Ellis: Mississauga, ON

Kelci French : Okotoks, AB

 

Liberos:

Julie Young: Red Deer, AB