Kiera Van Ryk and Canada took another big step in their incredibly strong summer. For the first time in history, the Canadians won the NORCECA Women's Continental Championship title after defeating USA 3-2 (25:23, 25:23, 20:25, 20:25, 15:10) in the final in Santo Domingo. The result is also confirmed by USA Volleyball, which notes that both teams finished with 53 successful attacks each, and Canada had a minimal advantage in blocks – 16:15, and a stronger serve – 7:4 aces.
The triumph has historical significance for Canada. Before the tournament, the team had never won the NORCECA title, and its last appearance in the final was in 1989. Now, the team, led by Giovanni Guidetti, has reached the top of the continent for the first time.
The final against the USA saw serious comebacks. Canada won the first two sets with 25:23 each and was just one set away from the trophy. However, the Americans reacted and, after two consecutive successes with 25:20 each, took the match to a tie-break. In the decisive fifth set, the Canadians took the lead from the very beginning and closed the match at 15:10.
This victory was Canada's second over the USA within the championship alone. The two teams also met in the group stage, when the Canadians again won after five sets – 3-2 (22:25, 26:24, 22:25, 25:23, 15:13). Canada finished Group A with three wins from three matches and qualified directly for the semifinals.
There, Canada was decisive against Cuba – 3-0 (25:19, 25:13, 25:17). Kiera Van Ryk and Hilary Howe were the top scorers with 14 points each, and the Canadians had a significant advantage in attack – 42:28, in blocks – 8:2, and in serves – 7:2 aces.
The USA reached the final after a convincing 3-0 (25:19, 25:18, 25:10) victory against host Dominican Republic in the semifinals. Simone Lee was the top scorer for the Americans with 16 points, while Asjia O'Neal and Logan Eggleston added 12 each.
Cuba back on the podium after 15 years
The final was far from the only important match on the last day of the continental championship.
Cuba won the bronze medals after a 3-0 (26:24, 25:17, 25:18) victory against the Dominican Republic. Thus, the Cubans returned to the NORCECA podium for the first time since 2011.
Cuba finished the championship with a record of four wins and two losses, and the bronze is the country's 23rd medal in the history of the competition – 13 gold, seven silver, and three bronze distinctions.
Yalain Regla de la Peña led the winners with 17 points, all from attack, and Laura Suarez added 13 – eight from attack, four in blocks, and one ace. Cuba had an advantage in attack – 46:34, in blocks – 11:7, and in aces – 1:0.
Puerto Rico won the most important match, the one for fifth place
The match for fifth position had particularly high stakes. Puerto Rico made a comeback against Mexico and won 3-2 (25:16, 23:25, 23:25, 25:17, 15:11).
The victory had much greater value than just fifth place. With it, Puerto Rico secured participation in the 2027 World Championship and took the last available spot in the final NORCECA Olympic qualifying tournament.
Decelis Champion played an exceptional match and scored 34 points for the winners. Paola Santiago added 11, and Valeria Vazquez – 9. For Mexico, Sofia Maldonado finished with 21 points, Grecia Castro with 17, and Uxue Guereca with 16.
In the match for seventh place, Costa Rica defeated Trinidad and Tobago 3-0 (25:14, 25:7, 25:13). Costa Rica finished the championship with one win and four losses, while Trinidad and Tobago remained without a success.
The championship is over, but the battle for Los Angeles begins
With the last matches on Wednesday, the continental championship concluded, but four of the teams remain in Santo Domingo for an even more important battle.
On August 28 and 29, the NORCECA continental Olympic qualifying tournament will be held, which will determine the recipient of one direct quota for the Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028. The official regulations explicitly state that the champion of this qualifying tournament will qualify for the Olympics.
The USA is not participating in this battle, as, being the host of the Olympic Games in Los Angeles, it already has a guaranteed spot. The final four will include the four highest-ranked teams from the continental championship outside the USA – Canada, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico.
After the victory over Mexico, it was Puerto Rico that filled the last vacant spot in the Final Four. NORCECA explicitly stated before the fifth-place match that its winner would secure the final position in the Olympic qualification.
Final Four Schedule
The semifinals will be played on August 28th local time in Santo Domingo. Due to the seven-hour time difference with Bulgaria, both matches fall in the early hours of August 29th Bulgarian time.
August 29th, 00:00 Bulgarian time: Cuba – Dominican Republic
August 29th, 03:00 Bulgarian time: Canada – Puerto Rico
The Cuba – Dominican Republic pairing offers an immediate rematch. Just two days after the Cubans defeated the hosts 3:0 (26:24, 25:17, 25:18) in the bronze medal match, the two teams will once again stand on opposite sides of the net, but this time the winner will advance to the decisive match for the Olympic quota.
On August 29th local time, the last two matches are:
August 29th, 23:00 Bulgarian time: third-place match
August 30th, 03:00 Bulgarian time: final
The final will decide everything – the winner will receive NORCECA's Olympic quota for Los Angeles 2028.
Thus, the historic title does not end Canada's mission. Van Ryk and her teammates remain in Santo Domingo with an even bigger goal ahead of them. After the country's first NORCECA gold in history, they are only two wins away from participating in the Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
photo:norceca.info
