In front of a crowd of about 900 at the Investor's Group
Athletic Centre, The National Women¹s Volleyball Team completed a four day
sweep of Japan, winning in straight sets for the second day in a row.
Scores were 27-25, 29-27 & 27-25.
Rookie Middle Blocker Dominique Duchaine lead Team Canada with 12 kills,
while veteran setter Anne Marie Lemieux lead Team Canada defensively with
4 blocks and 4 digs.
"It was another big win for us tonight," stated Lemieux. "We had to fight
hard down to the wire at the end of every set. Japan just wouldn¹t let up
but are confidence in ourselves is high right now, we finished each set
tough without letting up,, just like we needed to."
The second set was especially a memorable one for Team Canada as they came
back to win it after being down 8-1. "I told the girls just too relax and
keep playing tough," stated Head Coach Lorne Sawula.. "It was amazing how
focused they became, they never looked past each point and fought back
with some incredible courage."
The win tonight wraps up the four day exhibition series with Japan where
Team Canada only lost 1 set in all four matches. They will now switch
focus and start preparing for their World Championship Qualifier
Tournament taking place in the Dominican Republic in the second week of
July.
The next event for the Team Canada Volleyball Centre will take place in
Brandon June 18, and Winnipeg June 20th and 21st when the Men¹s National
Team takes on Team Denmark.
Winnipeg - In front of approximately 1000 loud fans at the Investors Group
Athletic Centre, Team Canada dominated Japan for at third day in a row,
winning in straight sets. Scores were 25-17, 25-21, & 25-20.
Team Canada Captain Jenny Rauh was very pleased with her Team¹s
performance; "Our persistent pressure on offence has kept the Japanese
scrambling on defense and that has been our key in these big wins. For so
early in the year we are playing really well together and it is exciting
to start the season this way."
Team Canada Head Coach Lorne Sawula was pleased with his teams defensive
effort today; "We made some big digs tonight and our blocking was great.
We won the big battles at the net and I am very pleased again with the
players performance."
Barb Bellini put in another solid effort for Team Canada leading the way
with 14 kills. Rae Anne Mitchell added in 10. Rookie Melissa Raymond out
of Sherbrooke University led the way defensively with 4 stuff blocks.
Team Canada will be taking on Japan in the final match of the series
tomorrow night at 7:30pm.
Winnipeg It¹s been over a year and a half since they have played on
their home court (October¹99), but the National Women¹s Volleyball Team is
making their return to the competition court in Winnipeg next Thursday
June 7th and Friday June 8th when they host Team Japan for two feature
matches. They will also be playing Tuesday, June 5th at MBCI School, and
Wednesday, June 6th at Maples Collegiate, for lunch time "in school"
exhibition matches.
Eight of the fifteen women on the Team Canada squad are first year rookies
this year, but that doesn¹t mean the talent level is low accordingly to
Head Coach Lorne Sawula. "This is one of the most athletic team¹s Canada
has ever had. Many of the players are lacking international experience
but will be gaining that soon with the busy season we have ahead. Their
talent levels are extremely high and they are going to be a competitive
and exciting team to watch," stated Sawula.
A press conference will be held next Monday, June 4th, 12:00noon, at the
Investors Group Athletic Centre, Univ. of MB., to officially introduce our
new Women¹s Team and to kick off the Japan series. Complimentary lunch
will be provided.
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