Puerto Rico lost to Canada in five sets
Canada, September 18, 2007.
Today’s game was looking like it would be the battle of the day.
These two teams both needed this win to ensure an opportunity at a
semi-final and for Canada, a chance to play Cuba for top spot in
Pool B.
The first set certainly didn’t disappoint. It was full of
incredible action right from the first whistle. Puerto Rico
maintained a lead in the early parts of the match, up 8-7 and
16-14 at the two technical time outs. But it was Canada that
rallied in the end. They out scored Puerto Rico to gain the lead
20-17 then took over at the net with the ‘Great Canadian Wall’ and
literally blocked their way to a first set victory 25-20.
Still buzzing from the first set, the Canadian crowd cheered the
Canadian team on. Down 5-2 early on, the Canadians were able to
tighten up the set down only 7-8 at the technical time out. Puerto
Rico would display a little blocking of their own to lead 10-7
forcing the Canadian’s into a time out. Canada responded to the
challenge to tie the set at 14-14 and take the lead up 16-15 at
the second technical time out and force Puerto Rico into a time
out up 18-15. It was a fight from that point on. Both teams
exchanging kills and blocks, Puerto Rico would get within one down
18-19, but Canada would continue to respond jumping ahead 21-18.
Puerto Rico would not be able catch the Canadians losing the
second 25-20.
Much like the first two sets, the third was a tightly contested.
Every point had to be earned; neither side was giving anything
away. At the first time out Puerto Rico had a 2-point gap leading
8-6. It became a game of momentum. Canada jumped right back in to
tie it at 9-9 and Puerto Rico responded to take the lead 13-10 and
add another to lead 16-12 at the second time out.
Canada was determined to end the match and got to with one down
21-22. Puerto Rico would call a time out to discuss the situation.
It seemed to pay off, as Puerto Rico would hold on to win the set
26-24.
It was do or die for Canada. Lose set four and you give life back
to Puerto Rico. The Canadian team did not want to do that and it
showed in their play. However, Puerto Rico wanted desperately to
get back into this match and held a 2-point edge up 8-6 at the
first technical time out. Puerto Rico added two quick points to
extend their lead to 10-6 before Canada could answer with a point
of their own. At the second technical time out Puerto Rico
remained safely in front leading 16-11. Canada would not be able
to catch Puerto Rico dropping the set 25-15.
The momentum had clearly shifted. Puerto Rico had found their
rhythm while Canada seemed to have lost touch with what had made
them successful in the first two sets. It was all on the line now
in the 5th
and deciding set. After four closely fought sets, it
was fitting that this one would come down to the wire. Tied a 4-4
Canada made their move and would open a 4-point lead up 8-4 at the
side change. With the crowd behind them Canada continued to pull
away to a dominating 15-4 victory.
Post Match Quotes:
Team Canada
Emily Cordonier- Captain
“We always enjoy the opportunity to play Puerto Rico. They are a
strong team across the board, they always bring lots of fire and a
very strong attack, and so we were excited to play them, this time
in front of our home crowd. It was really a team game for us
everyone contributed off the bench. Our blocking got us going, and
was a strong starting point for us to work from. Puerto Rico did
take us off our game in the third and fourth set with strong
serving, but I think it was a true testament to our team and how
far we have come to bounce back in the fifth set, so I think it is
a real positive note and I hope we can continue to build from
that.”
Naoki Miyashita- Head Coach
“I am satisfied with the result of today’s game. Puerto Rico is a
very good team, both on defence and offence. Tomorrow is Cuba,
another very strong team so we will need to bring our best game
and we look forward to the challenge.”
Team Puerto Rico
Aurea Cruz- Captain
“I want to congratulate Canada on their win. The came out strong
and really had a stable block that made it difficult to hit like
we are used to. We felt like we came out strong in every set, but
as I have mentioned before, when we get down it is hard for us to
come back. We were much more consistent in the third and fourth
sets. We served better and moved their hitter around making it
more difficult for them to score. In the fifth game we did not
come out strong, while Canada came out and did everything they had
to in order to win”
Juan Nunez- Head Coach
“I would like to congratulate Canada. They came out very strong
with the block. I have never played against a team who has come
out blocking so well, with 25 blocks in the match. I had
controlled the match until 16 points, however after that we were
not able to defend very well, and they came out very strong with
their defence and at the net.”
