FIVB: Binstock/SchachterGrab First Medal of the Year in Cincinnati

Josh Binstock and Sam Schachter are coming home the silver medal at the 2016 Cincinnati Open after falling to Brazil's Saymon/Guto 22-20, 21-8 in the Finals. 

This is the first FIVB medal for a Canadian team this year, and comes at a crucial time for the pair as they are still in the hunt for Olympic Qualification. They currently hold 4,040, two spots behind the Mexican team of Virgen/Ontiveros who hold the final spot with 4,430. With the silver medal and 450 points, Josh and Sam now sit at 4,490 while a ninth-place finish for the team for Mexico means only 250 points and 4,680 - a 190 point difference. With two events left, Binstock/Schachter are within striking distance. 

If they don't qualify through the Top 15 teams - they'll still have a chance to qualify through the Continental Cup in Acapulco, Mexico June 20-27. They'll partner with Sam Pedlow and Grant O'Gorman to win Canada a second spot at the 2016 Rio Olympics. 

They get another shot to make up ground next week, as the World Tour moves back to Russia for the Moscow Grand Slam. With more points at play and only two more events until the Olympics - who knows what will happen on Tour now.