Canada and USA finished with 1-2 record

 

COLORADO SPRINGS, USA, August 24, 2019 – Canada’s men’s team brought the heat when it counted and defeated the United States 28-26, 25-20, 27-29, 26-24 at the NORCECA Champions Cup at the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Center.

 

In the overall points race, the U.S. Men (1-2) grabbed the silver and Canada (1-2) took bronze. Cuba won the gold with a 3-0 record.

 

Four of Canada’s players scored in double figures led by Blake Scheerhoorn with a match-high 21 points on a match-high 19 attacks and a match-best two aces. Eric Loeppky added 18 points on 13 kills, a match-high four blocks and one ace.

 

The U.S. Men went with a completely new starting lineup than they had used in their previous two matches.

 

Greg Petty led the U.S. Men with 11 points on nine kills, one block and one ace.

 

Canada led in kills (64-49) and blocks (7-5). The teams tied in aces (4-4). The United States scored 41 points on Canada’s errors while committing 31.

 

Canada captain Danny Demyanenko: “It seemed like we finally put it together at the end of these three days. I’m really happy. It was a great atmosphere in this gym. The American team was very, very impressive, especially toward the end they kept showing their grit. It’s been an absolute pleasure to play here. At the end of the day, it was a couple points here and there, and it could have gone either way. We’re happy to come out on top this time.”

 

Canada coach Ryan Marsden: “We faced some major adversity with serving. I think our total missed serves was 31; we missed 13 in the first set and still won, which I’ve never seen before. I think the guys did a pretty good job in the later part of the match to make sure we kept the ball in play. Another thing we did is attack them in the middle. We really went hard in the middle. They came back at us too and tried to answer to that. We had big games from all of our players. It’s great for Canada today.”

 

U.S. captain Cody Kesel: “We’re not so happy with the outcome, but we’re pretty happy with the process we put in this week… Canada executed at the right times. Their opposite Blake Scheerhoorn had a pretty solid match. We had a good scouting report going in but weren’t able to execute the way we needed to.”

 

U.S. coach Matt Werle: “Canada played pretty well, pretty clean. They mixed a ton of shots and kept the ball in play and made us earn points, and that’s something we weren’t doing early. In sets three and four, we started to do a better job of that. From the service line tonight I don’t think we put enough pressure on them.”