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TORONTO, Canada, July 21, 2015 – Hosts Canada made a sensational
comeback from a 0-2 deficit to defeat United States 3-2 (19-25,
25-27, 25-23, 25-16, 15-12) and claim first place in Pool B of
the men’s volleyball tournament at the Pan American Games
Toronto 2015 on Tuesday at Exhibition Centre.
United States held the favorable margin in attacks 56-54 and in
aces 10-3, while Canada was better in blocking 12-8. The
defeated side, however, committed 40 errors, eleven more than
the winners.
The victory earned Canada a direct ticket to the semifinals and
sent United States to third place in the pool and into the
quarterfinals.
John Gordon Perrin led the offensive scores of Canada with 16
points, followed by Gavin Schmitt and Graham Vigrass with 14 and
12, respectively.
USA’s Zachary La Cavera led all the players in the game with 18
points. Taylor Averrill and Kristopher Johnson were next with 11
in the losing effort and Torey DeFalco had 10 points.
Glenn Hoag, Coach of Canada: “It was really important to be
calmed, to be more patient in our block defense. It was going to
be a long match. I told them the
Americans were playing good, they were serving well, running a
great offense, passing and serving. We needed just to go back to
the basics, to play
our game, and that things would come and they did. Dustin
Schneider and Fred Winters came in and did a big difference.
Rudy Verhhoeff did good as well. I am pretty happy.”
Fred Winters, Captain of Canada: “In World League, we’ve started
three sets very badly. I think we lost five or six times in five
sets, and a lot of times it’s because you are down, (by) three,
four, or one (points). This part is always important. It takes a
little bit in pressure often and it gets the crowd behind us. So
that was good. This has been the best atmosphere in Canada.”
Charles Sullivan, Coach of United States: “I think that they
(Canada) really got aggressive. Their jump serve got really
powerful. Their block got powerful. Their international
experience showed. Our inexperience showed a little bit, but I
cannot be upset about our guys. They are very young players that
are still in college, some going back to college. So this is a
great learning experience.”
Taylor Averill, Player of United States: “We came with the
mentality to stay aggressive, because we would face a very good
team that played at the World League all summer. I loved the way
we came in and battle right from the start. I thought we gave a
good battle at the beginning. They (Canada) are a great team and
they came back, also they have great fans and it was an awesome
environment to play.” |
