Canada’s women’s sitting volleyball team showed composure today as it beat Ukraine 3-0 (25-23, 25-20, 25-21) in the preliminary rounds of the Women’s Paralympic Qualification Tournament.
“There were definitely some momentum swings and it was really good see our team use tactics in those moments, and go on some runs when it was really needed; I’m proud of them,” said Canada’s head coach, Nicole Ban.
“We found a way to play some of our best volleyball with a loud crowd and under a lot of pressure. They are feeling confident and with that comes a lot of pressure because now we know we can do it, and we have to be able to continue to build on that and find our next level.”
Canada is ranked fifth in the world, compared to Ukraine’s fourth, according to World ParaVolley.
“I think we were really confident on the scramble plays today; the European style is to put the ball back over quite quick and today we slowed that down, and we were able to play our system. And we were really strong on our service ball.”
The winner of the tournament, which runs to Saturday, punches a ticket to Tokyo 2020.
Roster
#2 Julie Kozun, Melfort, SK
#3 Danielle Ellis, White Rock, BC (captain)
#4 Jennifer Oakes, Calgary, AB
#5 Payden Olsen, Cardston, AB
#7 Annie Fergusson, Carleton Place, ON
#8 Jolan Wong, Vermilion, AB
#9 Sarah Melenka, Vegreville, AB
#11 Heidi Peters, Neerlandia, AB
#12 Amber Skyrpan, Wandering River, AB
#14 Katelyn Wright, Edmonton, AB
#15 Felicia Voss-Shafiq, Burnaby, BC
Staff
Nicole Ban (head coach)
Christine Biggs (assistant coach)
Kate Rozendaal (assistant coach)
Yung Yung Wong (therapist)
Lauren Demers (therapist)
Erin Brennan (team manager)
Kerry MacDonald (Director, Sport Science, Medicine and Innovation)
Full Schedule:
February 26 (free admission)
11:00 am Canada vs Slovenia 3-0 (25-10, 25-17, 25-15)
1:00 pm Ukraine vs Germany 3-2 (24-26, 25-13, 25-10, 14-25, 15-5)
6:00 pm Slovenia vs Finland 3-1 (23-25, 25-21, 26-24, 25-13)
8:00 pm Canada vs Germany 3-1 (24-26, 25-21, 25-23, 25-22)
February 27 (free admission)
11:00 am Ukraine vs Finland 3-2 (20-25, 25-12, 20-25, 25-17, 15-7)
1:00 pm Slovenia vs Germany 2-3 (25-21, 19-25, 25-16, 22-25, 10-15)
6:00 pm Canada vs Ukraine 3-0 (25-23, 25-20, 25-21)
8:00 pm Finland vs Germany (in progress)
February 28
11:00 am Ukraine vs. Slovenia
1:00 pm Canada vs Finland
6:00 pm Semifinals: 2nd vs 3rd
8:00 pm Semifinals: 1st vs 4th
February 29
1:00 pm Bronze medal game
3:00 pm Gold medal game
