Canada wins first ever match at Grand Prix

LEUVEN, Belgium, August 2, 2014 – Rebecca Pavan scored 19 points including the winner as Canada made a spectacular comeback to defeat Argentina in five sets for its first victory ever in the FIVB Grand Prix women’s volleyball tournament.

The Canadians overcame a 0-2 deficit in sets for the 23-25, 22-25, 26-24, 25-22, 15-13 victory in Group 2 to improve its record one win and four losses in this year’s tournament. Kyla Richey added 18 points for the victors, Brittney Page 17 and Shanice Marcelle 11.

Also in Group 2 in Trujillo, Puerto Rico improved to a 4-1 win-loss record with a 26-24, 24-26, 25-10, 25-22 victory over Poland.

Karina Ocasio scored 24 points for Puerto Rico and Alexandra Oquendo added 15. Yarimar Rosa and Aurea Cruz each contributed 14 points. Katarzyna Zarolinska had 19 points for Poland.

In the other match in Trujillo, Peru defeated Cuba 3-0 (25-20, 25-21, 25-17). Angela Leyva registered 11 points and Karla Oriz and Maguilaura Frias each had 9 points. Daymara Lescay had 9 points for Cuba.

In Group 1 in Sassary, Italy, China beat Dominican Republic 3-0 (25-18, 25-21, 25-23). The Dominicans lost their second match while China improved to 1-1. Zeng Chunlei had 18 points for China, including four blocks and three aces. Bethania De la Cruz had 11 points playing in the last two sets for the Dominicans.

In Group 1 but In Ankara, Turkey, the hosts Turkey edged United States 25-21, 27-29, 25-21, 20-25-15-12. Gozde Sonsirma had 26 points for Turkey and Kelsey Robinson had 20 for the losers.

In Group 3, Czech Republic beat Mexico in consecutive sets 25-14, 25-18 2-519. Aneta Havlickova led the winners with 19 points while Andrea Rangel had 9 points for Mexico.