OVA News » NORCECA

Women’s Olympic Volleyball Qualifier Confirmed for April in Tijuana, Mexico

laura — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 13:03:22 +0000

Volleyball Canada has recently received confirmation of the dates for the NORCECA (North and Central America and Carribean) Women’s Continental Olympic Qualification Tournament.

The competition was initially scheduled for this week, but was postponed due to financial difficulties of the host. The event will remain in Tijuana, Mexico, and is now scheduled for April 29 – May 5, 2012.

The event will feature the highest ranked teams in the NORCECA Zone. This includes Canada, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Mexico and two others. The winner will qualify for the London Olympics. The USA, who qualified for the Olympics by finishing second at the World Cup in Japan in November, will not compete in Tijuana.

After receiving notification of the event postponement, several Canadian athletes that had planned on staying in Winnipeg and training through to the initial qualifier dates in January, immediately began looking for contract opportunities overseas. Others planned to remain in Winnipeg throughout the winter to continue training and preparing for this ultimate goal of Olympic qualification.

Below is an update on the whereabouts of athletes that could be among the roster of twelve that will compete in the qualifier in April:

Sarah Pavan (Kitchener, ON) – Villa Cortese (Italy)
Marisa Field (Kelowna, BC) – Envacom Volleys Sinsheim (Germany)
Nadine Alphonse (Montréal, QC) – FKB Volley Duedingen (Switzerland)
Marie-Pier Murray-Methot (Québec City, QC) – Val-de-Travers (Switzerland)
Tammy Mahon (Holland, MB) – Envacom Volleys Sinsheim (Germany)
Liz Cordonier (Vancouver, BC) – LP Viesti (Finland)
Colette Meek (Sherwood Park, AB) – Svedala VBK (Sweden)
Lucy Charuk (Tsawwassen, BC) – Zok Split 1700 (Croatia)
Kyla Richey (Roberts Creek, BC) – University of British Columbia
Julie Young (Red Deer, AB) – pending contract in Pieksamaki (Finland)
Brittney Page (Vernon, BC) – pending contract in Sweden
Tasha Holness (Calgary, AB) – pending contract in Indonesia

Those remaining in Winnipeg to train from January through to the qualifier in April are:

Claire Hanna (Calgary, AB)
Tiffany Dodds (Lucky Lake, SK)
Jennifer Hinze (Vancouver, BC)
Tonya Mokelki (Weyburn, SK)

Carla Bradstock (Richmond, BC) will return to Winnipeg in early March to train through to the qualifier in April.

For more information:
John Blacher
Director of Operations
Team Canada women’s volleyball centre
Tel:(204) 474-7210
E-mail: jblacher@volleyball.ca

Canada Finishes Sixth

laura — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 12:38:19 +0000

Mexico defeated Canada 22-25, 25-23, 25-18, 25-22 in the fifth place match on Saturday NORCECA (North and Central America and Caribbean) Continental women’s volleyball championships.

The Mexican team took advantage of 42 Canadian errors. Canada held a 10-6 margin in blocks and both teams scored six aces.

Sarah Pavan of Kitchener, Ont., led all scorers with 18 points while Kyla Richey of Robert’s Creek, B.C., and Tammy Mahon of Holland, Man., each added 10 points apiece.

“We couldn’t find our rhythm and it was a well played match for Mexico,” said Mahon.

“Mexico played better than us and deserved the victory,” Canada’s head coach Arnd Ludwig added.

The U.S., defeated the Dominican Republic in straight sets to win the gold medal and earn a ticket to the World Cup in November. Cuba beat Puerto Rico for the bronze.

Canadian roster for the women’s volleyball NORCECA championships set for September 12-18 in Caguas, Puerto Rico.

Julie Young: Red Deer, AB
Tammy Mahon: Holland, MB
Claire Hanna: Calgary, AB
Carla Bradstock: Richmond, BC
Sarah Pavan: Kitchener, ON
Marisa Field: Kelowna, BC
Tasha Holness: Calgary, AB
Liz Cordonier: Vancouver, BC
Jennifer Hinze: Vancouver, BC
Brittney Page: Vernon, BC
Kyla Richey: Robert’s Creek: BC
Lauren O’Reilly: Langley, BC

Head Coach: Arnd Ludwig
Assistant Coach: Scott Koskie
Therapist: Julie Dacquay
Manager: Nichole Mailey
Statistician: David Carrasco
Sport Psychologist: Dr. Adrienne Leslie-Toogood

Canada Playing for 5th at NORCECA

laura — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 13:01:13 +0000

Canada lost to defending champion the Dominican Republic 25-17, 25-22, 25-21 in the quarterfinal on Thursday at the NORCECA (North and Central America and Caribbean) women’s volleyball championships.

With the loss, the Canadians will face Mexico in the fifth place match on Saturday. On Thursday the Mexicans fell to the U.S., 25-11, 25-8, 25-19 in the other quarterfinal.

Sarah Pavan of Kitchener, Ont., was the top Canadian point-getter with 21 points including two service aces. Tammy Mahon of Holland, Man., and Kyla Richey of Robert’s Creek, B.C., added eight points each.

The championship semifinal match ups for Friday are Cuba-U.S., and Puerto Rico – Dominican Republic. The placement matches are all on Saturday.

This year’s tournament winner earns a ticket to the FIVB World Cup in Japan in November.

Canadian roster for the women’s volleyball NORCECA championships set for September 12-18 in Caguas, Puerto Rico.

Head Coach: Arnd Ludwig
Assistant Coach: Scott Koskie
Therapist: Julie Dacquay
Manager: Nichole Mailey
Statistician: David Carrasco
Sport Psychologist: Dr. Adrienne Leslie-Toogood

Canadian Women Head to NORCECA

laura — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 12:32:41 +0000

Canada’s national women’s volleyball team will use the NORCECA (North and Central America and Caribbean) Championships as an important building block towards its upcoming Olympic qualifying season.

The tournament runs from Monday to Saturday in Caguas, Puerto Rico.

“The NORCECA championship is a great tournament,” said Arnd Ludwig, Team Canada’s head coach. “These are the top teams in our zone. Our goal for the last two years is to get closer to the top teams and this competition will show if we did a good job during the summer.”

Canada is led by top scorer Sarah Pavan of Kitchener, Ont., and team captain Tammy Mahon of Holland, Man. There are seven players from B.C. on the squad: Marisa Field of Kelowna, Carla Bradstock of Richmond, Liz Cordonier and Jennifer Hinze of Vancouver, Brittney Page of Vernon, Kyla Richey of Robert’s Creek and Lauren O’Reilly of Langley.

Three players are from Alberta: Julie Young of Red Deer, Claire Hanna and Tasha Holness of Calgary.

Canada, ranked 20th in the world is in Group B with Trinidad and Tobago (number 29) and world number-two USA. Group A teams are 19th ranked Puerto Rico, Costa Rica (23rd) and Mexico (27th) and Group C is comprised of defending champion the Dominican Republic (15th), Cuba (8th) and Panama (55th).

The top team in each group after the round robin get a bye to the semis while the second place teams and the best third place team play in the quarterfinals.

The Canadians open against Trinidad and Tobago on Monday afternoon then face the U.S., Tuesday. The quarterfinals are Thursday, semis on Friday and the medal matches Saturday.

Cuba is the most successful country with 13 crowns followed by United States with five. Canada is the only other country with double figures in the medals department with two silvers and eight bronzes.

This year’s winner earns a ticket to the FIVB World Cup in Japan in November.

Canadian roster for the women’s volleyball NORCECA championships set for September 12-18 in Caguas, Puerto Rico:

Head Coach: Arnd Ludwig
Assistant Coach: Scott Koskie
Therapist: Julie Dacquay
Manager: Nichole Mailey
Statistician: David Carrasco
Sport Psychologist: Dr. Adrienne Leslie-Toogood

Story from the Volleyball Canada Website | Volleyball.ca

Schneider Named Top Setter

laura — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 12:47:04 +0000

Dustin Schneider of Brandon, Man., as named the top setter at the NORCECA men’s volleyball championships which concluded on Saturday night with Cuba defeating the U.S., in five sets in the gold medal match.

Canada won the bronze medal defeating Puerto Rico earlier Saturday in straight sets. Canada’s only loss in five matches at the tournament was to Cuba in the semifinal.

It is the second tournament in a row, Schneider has won a major award. He was the MVP at a tournament in Estonia last month in which Canada won the gold medal. He also sparkled in Canada’s World League qualifying victories over Slovakia and Puerto Rico.

Young Keibel Gutierrez was elected the NORCECA MVP and was awarded with three individual titles: Best libero, Best receiver and Best digger.

Story from the Volleyball Canada Website | Volleyball.ca

Canada Wins Pool at NORCECA

laura — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 12:14:38 +0000

Canada defeated Puerto Rico 25-17, 25-20, 25-17 to grab first place in Group A and a bye to the semifinals at the North and Central America and Caribbean men’s volleyball championships.

The Canadians, ranked 22nd in the world, conclude the round robin with three wins and no losses. Puerto Rico (2-1), ranked 15th, and Mexico (1-2), ranked 21st, placed second and third in the group and play in the quarters on Thursday.

It was third time this month, Canada had defeated the Puerto Ricans. Two weeks ago in Kingston, Ont., Canada swept a two-match series to qualify for the 2012 World League. Counting World League qualifying and a tournament victory in Europe, the Canadians have now reeled off nine straight wins.

Gavin Schmitt of Saskatoon led the Canadian attack with 19 including three on service aces. Fred Winters of Victoria added nine and Toon Van Lankvelt of River, Man., seven.

In the other Group A match, Mexico defeated winless St-Lucia 25-16, 25-14, 25-22.

In Group B, the top-seeded Americans, ranked third in the world, defeated Cuba 24-26, 25-23, 25-23, 25-17 to clinch top spot at 3-0 and a spot in the semis. Cuba (2-1), ranked sixth internationally, and Trinidad and Tobago (1-2) head to the quarters.

The quarterfinal match-ups for Thursday are Cuba-Mexico and Trinidad and Tobago-Puerto Rico.

The top-two teams here earn a berth at the World Cup final November 20 to December 4 in Tokyo. The top-three teams at the World Cup final qualify for the Olympic Games.

Canadian roster for the NORCECA men’s volleyball championships August 29 to September 3, 2011 in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico:

Players: Steve Brinkman, Bowmanville, Ont.; Nicholas Cundy, Edmonton; Josh Howatson, Victoria; Dan Lewis, Oakville, Ont.; Gord Perrin, Creston, B.C.; Gavin Schmitt, Saskatoon; Dustin Schneider, Brandon, Man.; Adam Simac, Ottawa; Alexandre Gaumont-Casias, Marieville, Que.; Toon Van Lankvelt, River, Man.; Fred Winters, Victoria; Justin Duff, Winnipeg.

Head coach: Glenn Hoag, Gatineau, Que.
Assistant coach: Vincent Pichette, Gatineau
Team manager: Julien Boucher, Quebec City

Story from the Volleyball Canada Website | Volleyball.ca

Men Take First Match

laura — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 12:56:17 +0000

Fred Winters of Victoria scored 20 points on Monday to lead Canada to a 25-21, 23-25, 27-25, 25-22 victory over Mexico to open round robin play the NORCECA (North and Central America and Caribbean) men’s volleyball championships.

The top-two teams at the eight-country week-long event earn a berth at the World Cup final November 20 to December 4 in Tokyo. The top-three teams at the World Cup final qualify for the Olympic Games.

“Mexico played really well but we ended up with the win which is the way you want to start this tournament,” said Gavin Schmitt of Saskatoon who added 12 points for the victors. “There were times we got ahead of ourselves and got too focused on the result but we got the jitters out and we just want to play better in our next match.”

Canada heads into the NORCECA tournament with a hot hand. Over the past month it defeated Slovakia and Puerto Rico in qualifying to earn a ticket to the 2012 World League volleyball tournament which offers the richest purse in the sport. The Canadians also went undefeated to win a four-country tournament in Estonia, in between their two World League qualifying series.

Winters, earned three of his points on service aces, Alexandre Gaumont-Casias of Marieville, Que., earned 13 points and Steve Brinkman of Bowmanville, Ont., collected four of his seven points on blocks.

“We’ve come here with the objective to finish in the top-two,” said Canada’s head coach Glenn Hoag. “We had a good first set tonight but didn’t play as well after that and Mexico really picked it up. We had some trouble offensively and Alexandre came in and gave us some energy.”

Canada ranked 22nd in the world is in Group A with Puerto Rico (ranked 15th), Mexico (ranked 21st) and St. Lucia (87th). Group B is comprised of the U.S., (3rd), defending champion Cuba (6th), Trinidad and Tobago (64th) and Costa Rica (68th).

In other matches Monday, the U.S., defeated Trinidad and Tobago 25-15, 25-7, 25-12 and Cuba beat Costa Rica 25-16, 25-13, 25-15. Puerto Rico faced St. Lucia later Monday.

The first place team in each pool gets a bye to the semifinals on Friday. The second and third place teams cross over in the quarterfinals on Thursday. The placement matches are Saturday. The last time Canada stepped on the podium at the biannual tournament was in 2005 when it placed third.

Canada faces St.Lucia on Tuesday afternoon.

Canadian roster for the NORCECA men’s volleyball championships August 29 to September 3, 2011 in Miyaguez, Puerto Rico:

Head coach: Glenn Hoag, Gatineau, Que.
Assistant coach: Vincent Pichette, Gatineau
Team manager; Julien Boucher, Quebec City

Story from the Volleyball Canada Website | Volleyball.ca

Canadian Men Head to NORCECA

laura — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 13:00:45 +0000

With a World League berth wrapped up, the Canadian men’s volleyball team now turns its attention to gaining a spot at the 2012 Olympic Games. The first opportunity towards that goal starts on Monday at the NORCECA Championships in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico.

The top two teams at the eight-country competition, which runs until September 3, qualify for the World Cup Final November 20 to December 4 in Japan. The top-three teams at the World Cup final qualify for the Olympic Games.

The Canadians also went undefeated to win a four-country tournament in Estonia, in between their two World League qualifying series.

The Canadian roster for the NORCECA tournament is: Steve Brinkman, Bowmanville, Ont.; Nicholas Cundy, Edmonton; Josh Howatson, Victoria; Dan Lewis, Oakville, Ont.; Gord Perrin, Creston, B.C.; Gavin Schmitt, Saskatoon; Dustin Schneider, Brandon, Man.; Adam Simac, Ottawa; Alexandre Gaumont-Casias, Marieville, Que.; Toon Van Lankvelt, River, Man.; Fred Winters, Victoria; Justin Duff, Winnipeg.

At the NORCECA Championships Canada ranked 22nd in the world is in Group A with Puerto Rico (ranked 15th), Mexico (ranked 21st) and St. Lucia (87th). Group B is comprised of the U.S., (3rd), Cuba (6th), Trinidad and Tobago (64th) and Costa Rica (68th).

In round robin play, the Canadians face Mexico on Monday, St. Lucia on Tuesday and Puerto Rico Wednesday. The first place team in each pool gets a bye to the semifinals on Friday while second and third cross over in the quarterfinals on Thursday. The placement matches are Saturday.

Canadian roster for the NORCECA men’s volleyball championships August 27 to September 3, 2011 in Miyaguez, Puerto Rico:

Head coach: Glenn Hoag, Gatineau, Que.
Assistant coach: Vincent Pichette, Gatineau
Team manager; Julien Boucher, Quebec City.

Story from the Volleyball Canada Website | Volleyball.ca

Canada reaches quarterfinals at Junior Pan Am Cup

laura — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 13:02:39 +0000

PANAMA CITY – Canada lost to Puerto Rico Friday night 17-25, 25-23, 27-25, 25-16 and advanced to the quarterfinals at the eight-country Panama Cup junior men’s volleyball tournament.

The Canadians conclude the round robin portion of the tournament with a 1-2 record and third spot in Group B division. The Puerto Ricans place second while Chile defeated winless Mexico to take top spot in the group.

Daniel Moreau was the top Canadian scorer with 14 points while Alex Davis of White Rock, B.C., added 11. Canada’s six starters, Moreau, Davis, Tommy Belisle of Quebec City, Lucas Van Berkel of Edmonton, Branden Schmidt of Winton, Alta., Jarron Mueller of Calgary and Libero Jay Olmstead of Edmonton played almost the entire match.

Canada’s quarterfinal opponent will be the second place team in Group A, still to be determined later Friday. The first place teams in each group get a bye to Sunday’s semifinal while and second and third crossover in the quarters. The placement matches are Monday.

The men’s national junior volleyball team sorted by province:

Alberta: Tristan Aubry, Edmonton; Jay Olmstead, Edmonton; Lucas VanBerkel, Edmonton; Branden Schmidt, Winton; Jarron Mueller, Calgary.

B.C.: Alex Davis, White Rock; Bradley Kufske, Abbotsford; Derek Thiessen, Coquitlam.

Manitoba: Brett Wiess, Winnipeg.

Ontario: Tyler (TJ) Sanders, London.

Quebec: Nicholas Hoag, Sherbrooke; Daniel Moreau, Sherbrooke; Tommy Bélisle, Quebec City.

Saskatchewan: Braden McLean, Birch Hills.

Head coach: Georges Laplante, Montreal

Assistant coaches: Greg Barthel, Regina and Brad Poplawski, Edmonton.

More information: www.volleyball.ca and www.norceca.org

PANAMA CITY – Canada lost to Puerto Rico Friday night 17-25, 25-23, 27-25, 25-16 and advanced to the quarterfinals at the eight-country Panama Cup junior men’s volleyball tournament.

The men’s national junior volleyball team sorted by province:

Alberta: Tristan Aubry, Edmonton; Jay Olmstead, Edmonton; Lucas VanBerkel, Edmonton; Branden Schmidt, Winton; Jarron Mueller, Calgary.

B.C.: Alex Davis, White Rock; Bradley Kufske, Abbotsford; Derek Thiessen, Coquitlam.

Manitoba: Brett Wiess, Winnipeg.

Ontario: Tyler (TJ) Sanders, London.

Quebec: Nicholas Hoag, Sherbrooke; Daniel Moreau, Sherbrooke; Tommy Bélisle, Quebec City.

Saskatchewan: Braden McLean, Birch Hills.

Head coach: Georges Laplante, Montreal

Assistant coaches: Greg Barthel, Regina and Brad Poplawski, Edmonton.

More information: www.volleyball.ca and www.norceca.org

Canadians Place 4th at NORCECA Event

laura — Mon, 16 May 2011 13:02:26 +0000

Simon Fecteau-Boutin of Montreal and Cameron Wheelan of Barrie, Ont., finished fourth on Sunday at a NORCECA (North and Central America and Caribbean) beach volleyball tournament.

Fecteau-Boutin and Wheelan advanced to the bronze medal match against Cubans Karel Piña and Yadrian Escobar and lost 21-10, 21-8.

Playing as Canada 1, Fecteau-Boutin and Wheelan won two of their three matches in the round robin then defeated entries from Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic to advance to the semifinal.

In their final four match, they lost to Roberto Rodriguez and Christopher Underwood of Puerto Rico. Rodriguez and Underwood lost in the final to Aldo Miramontes and Juan Virgen of Mexico.

Canada’s other entry in men’s competition, François-Guy Allaire of Montreal and William Sidgwick of Toronto were eliminated in the round of 16.

In women’s competition, Victoria Cowley and Alexandra Mingay, both of Toronto were eliminated in the quarterfinal and Victoria Altomare of Toronto and Rebecca Crosier of Ottawa bowed out in the round of 16.

Full results at www.norceca.org

Story from the Volleyball Canada Website | Volleyball.ca