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TORONTO, Canada, July 17, 2015 – Canada’s men enjoyed a great
debut at home getting a comfortable straight-set 3-0 (25-18,
25-19, 25-18) over Mexico at the volleyball tournament of the
Pan American Games at Exhibition Centre on Friday.
The home boys displayed all the technique and athleticism that
have been cited to put them among the favorites to take the
men’s gold medal here.
Canada topped their opponents in attacks (45-30), blocks (9-6)
and service winners (5-1). The home team committed 18 unforced
errors, two more than the defeated side.
Gavin Schmitt, John Gordon Perrin and Nicholas Hoag were the
main offensive contributors in the victory with 13, 12 and 10
points, respectively. Daniel Vargas and Jorge Barajas each had
10 points for Mexico.
Glenn Hoag, coach of Canada: “We played OK, served very well but
our blocking was not as good. Mexico is always a very deceptive
team that plays good defense. This is a good tournament with
capable teams from north and south so we want to take the
matches one by one. First we need to get out of the pool and
then start thinking about a medal. Sure, a gold medal would be
great in front of our own fans.”
Fred Winters, captain of Canada: “We expect to win our pool
matches, but we still have to go on and play and we did it
really well. Everyone went out to play and it was good because
we’ve been preparing a long time for this even though we are a
superior team, there is still some nerves and it was good to
win.”
Rudy Verhoeff, player of Canada: “It is good to have a good
show, with all the people here who come to support us at the Pan
Am Games and get the first win. Mexico was not easy, is a
scrappy team you could see the long rallies. We could play well
and we are prepared”.
Gavin Schmitt, player of Canada: “We played a very spectacular
rally in the last set. That’s something we’ve been working on
practice. Steve Marshall miraculously saved the ball with his
foot. It was great for the fans. It was good. We expect to fix
our blocking and our defense as well. I’m still having some
recovery from an injury but I’ve been able to play and it’s
good.”
Juan Vilches, coach of Mexico: “It was a good game. I would say
that my team was a little apprehensive at the beginning playing
against the home team with the crowd rooting for their team.
Then we started to play more relaxed and I think it resulted
within the planned. Against USA and Puerto Rico, we will be
better.”
Pedro Rangel, player of Mexico: “Canada is always a very tough
team. They are so complicated because they have a very good
structure and we have missed some details. We improved a little
bit in the last set, but they made the adjustments. We have to
be aware of the mistakes we’ve made and go on”.
Tomás Aguilera, player of Mexico: “We knew in advance that it
was going to be hard to open against the local team that is very
good, but we must be focused in our next matches and have to
work on that. We hope to improve in our next match against
Puerto Rico, a team we know from long before and expect to play
a better.” |
