Photo: FIVB

Canada rallied from a two-set deficit to beat Mexico 3-2 (15-25, 22-25, 25-18, 25-15, 15-11) today at the FIVB Volleyball Girls’ U18 World Championship in Ismailia, Egypt.

“We are very pleased with the result of today’s match,” said Canada’s head coach Scott Koskie. “Coming back from a 0-2 deficit is a real testament to the character of these players and allowed us to achieve our first goal of advancing to the round of 16. We are learning about the demands of international volleyball every day, and are looking forward the challenge of playing Italy and USA in our next two matches.”

Katarina Pantovic was Canada’s top scorer with 18 points, including five from the service line. Mexico’s Melanie Quintero led all scorers with 24 points.

The 2019 edition of the FIVB Volleyball Girls’ U18 World Championship (September 5 to 14) features 20 teams representing all five continents. The pool stage of the competition takes place over the first five days of the tournament, followed by four days of knockout and classification matches.

Pool B in Ismailia (Egypt)

September 5
Korea v Canada 1-3 (25-19, 23-25, 20-25, 22-25)
USA v Mexico 3-0 (25-21, 25-21, 25-16)

September 6
Italy v USA 3-2 (20-25, 21-25, 25-22, 25-23, 15-13)
Korea v Mexico 3-1 (23-25, 25-22, 25-19, 25-23)

September 7
Canada v Mexico 3-2 (15-25, 22-25, 25-18, 25-15, 15-11)
Italy v Korea 3-0 (25-15, 25-14, 25-20)

September 8
USA v Korea
Italy v Canada

September 9
Italy v Mexico
USA v Canada

Canadian roster:
#10  Emoni Bush – Campbell River, BC
#1    Kat Georgiadis – West Hill, ON
#15   Kendra Kern  – Edmonton, AB
#11  Emma McKinnon – Milton, ON
#7   Julia Murmann  –  Toronto, ON
#2  Katarina Pantovic – Vancouver, BC
#8   Lauren Pastor – Etobicoke, ON
#6  Kaylee Plouffe –  Sherwood Park, AB
#18  Jenna Pollock – St. Catharines, ON
#5    Mady Saris – Burlington, ON
#14   Anna Smrek – Welland, ON
#12  Mary Stewart – Uxbridge, ON
#3  Victoria D’Acre –  Mississauga, ON
#4   Hannah Duchesneau – Sharon, ON
#16  Anna Gadomski – Mississauga, ON
#9   Justine Kolody – Winnipeg, MB
#24  Talia Vydykhan – Hammonds Plains, NS

Photo: FIVB