WCH: Mexico No Contest for Canada
New faces, same result. Canada blows past Mexico 3-0 and clinches their spot in Phase 2 of the 2014 FIVB World Championships in Poland. They finish Phase 1 tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. ET against China. Photo: FIVB
The Canadian National volleyball team has clinched their spot in Phase 2 of the 2014 FIVB World Championships with a convincing 3-0 (25-17, 25-18, 25-19) win over Mexico.
Click here for full match stats.
Toon Van Lankvelt led the charge in his first start of the competition, scoring on 14 of his 19 attempts and adding two blocks. Dallas Soonias added another 12 and Graham Vigrass put up a pair of blocks and a pair of aces to add to his 11.
The game was almost identical to yesterdays - which is even more impressive when you consider that only Dan Lewis and T.J. Sanders remained on the floor. Coach Hoag opted to give the rest of the guys some time on the court, and the Master in Chief must be pretty pleased with how things are going with a roster 12-deep ready to step in and play in system.
Canada’s serve/block game was impeccable once again, the team picking up three aces and 12 blocks, with #VerhoeffWithTheRoof living up to his hashtag by getting four on his own.
While Dustin Schneider continues to rest up, T.J. Sanders has used his time as the starting setter efficiently and has proven he has what it takes to run the offence. It has never been as evident as today. Don’t believe us? Take a quick look at the five attackers hitting efficiencies from the this match:
- Dallas Soonias: 11-for-26 (.423)
- Toon VanLankvelt: 14-for-19 (.736)
- Fred Winters: 6-for-8 (.750)
- Graham Vigrass: 7-for-9 (.777)
- Rudy Verhoeff: 4-for-5 (.800)
You’d be hard pressed to find another team with similar numbers, regardless of their opponent. Of course we can never deny the level of skill involved for these players to put up these kind of numbers, but all of them have one thing in common: the setter. Hitting should never be this easy, especially for an entire team, but it is when hitters are getting as many open looks as these guys are.
Canada will close out Phase 1 tomorrow against China. With the win, they move ahead of China for third place in Pool C with eight points, one point behind Bulgaria. As always, Volleyball Source will have all your live stream needs!