Canada beats USA to open Olympic volleyball tournament
In a massive upset against the reigning FIVB World Cup champion United States, Canada won its Rio 2016 Olympic opener in straight sets 3-0 (25-23, 25-17, 25-23) on Sunday.
It’s the first time Canada has played in a men’s Olympic volleyball match since Barcelona 1992, and the end of the 24-year wait turned into a celebration in the Group A opening encounter in the country where volleyball is only second to football (soccer) in popularity.
Canada’s Nicholas Hoag celebrates after defeating the United States during a men’s preliminary volleyball match at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday, Aug. 7, 2016. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Nicholas Hoag led the Canadians in scoring with 14 points, including 11 spikes.
Canada’s next opponent in a very difficult group is the host, Brazil, on August 9.
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Other teams in Group A are Italy, France and Mexico. Top four advance to the quarterfinals.
Canada comes into the Olympic Games on a massive roll. After qualifying for Rio in a last ditch tournament in Japan in early June, they went on to win FIVB World League Group 2 to qualify for the elite phase next season.
Gavin Schmitt added 13 points, including 12 spikes; Gord Perrin led the team in digs with nine and contributed three kill blocks.
