Winnipeg, Canada, September 11,- Dominican Republic scored a major upset while edging Canada in a five-setter by score of 19-25, 19-25, 29-31, 26-24, 19-17 in Day Two of the Norceca Men’s Continental Championships.

This was Canada’s first big test after the Dominican took Cuba to a fifth set on the opening day. Both teams seemed to feel each other out exchanging points and at the first technical time out it was the Dominican Republic up 8-7. Canada would go on run to go up 14-11 and hold the lead up 16-14 at the second technical time out. 

Canada continued to dominate on the attack and cruised on to take set one 25-19. In set two Canada experienced some difficulty right from the start and found them selves down 12-16. Unforced errors continued to plague the Canadians as they dropped further down 17-23 and eventually dropped the set 19-25. Both teams started the third set a little shaky with missed blocks and service errors. 

 Canada seemed to shake it off first to take an 8-5 advantage at the first technical time out. The Dominican Republic would work their way back into the game to tie it up at 11-11, before Canada would reclaim the lead at the second technical time out up 16-15.  It would remain a one point game with Canada up 22-21, but the Dominican would lock it up again tied 26-26. A tough hand call would give the Dominican a 27-26 advantage forcing a Canadian time out. Canada would regain the lead to go up by one and finally take the set 31-29.

The teams continued to keep it tight in the fourth set. Canada found themselves up 8-7 at the first technical time out and added to that tally to go up 11-7 forcing a Dominican time out. The Dominican would respond tying the set at 15-15, but Canada would take the back up 16-15 at the second technical time out. The lead would exchange hands two more time before Canada would unload with a couple service aces to go up 22-20, but they would see that disappear as the Dominican Republic would tie it up at 23-23. 

At 24-24 a missed Canadian serve opened the door for the Dominican Republic and they took full advantage wining the next point and the set 26-24.

Set five was another tight contest with both teams attacking strong at the net. Tied at 6-6 two big plays in the middle for Canada gave them an 8-6 lead at the side change. Canada would retain the two lead forcing a time out up 11-9. The Dominican would tie it up one more time at 15-15 then go up 16-15. Canada would come right back to take the lead 17-16 only to see it go again as the Dominican Republic went on to win 19-17.