The Canadian women's national team is just one win away from returning to the Olympic stage for the first time since Atlanta 1996. The new NORCECA champion defeated Puerto Rico 3-0 (25:16, 25:22, 25:10) in the first semifinal of the continental Olympic qualifier in Santo Domingo and will face host Dominican Republic in a direct match for the only quota for Los Angeles 2028.
Canada – Puerto Rico 3-0 (25:16, 25:22, 25:10)
Just two days after their historic first triumph in the NORCECA championship, Canada continued their winning streak. The team led by Giovanni Guidetti controlled the first set against Puerto Rico and won it 25:16.
The real test for the Canadians came in the second set. Puerto Rico took an 18:12 lead and seemed close to leveling, but Canada turned the tide. Kiera Van Ryk recorded three consecutive aces and reduced the deficit to 16:18, and from 12:18, the Canadians won 13 of the next 17 rallies and closed the set at 25:22. In the third set, Puerto Rico's resistance was already broken – 25:10.
Canada finished with a clear statistical advantage – 42:32 points from attack, 12:2 in blocks, and 4:2 aces. The Canadians also made fewer errors – 12 against 17.
Kiera Van Ryk was the top scorer with 20 points – 13 from attack, 3 in blocks, and 4 aces. Alexa Gray and Emily Maglio added 9 points each. For Puerto Rico, Decelis Champion finished with 12 points, all from attack, and Paola Santiago scored 9.
Dominican Republic – Cuba 3-1 (20:25, 25:19, 25:17, 25:15)
Cuba started the second semifinal better and won the first set 25:20, but the hosts from the Dominican Republic reacted and turned the match around with three consecutive set wins – 25:19, 25:17, and 25:15.
The Dominican Republic had an advantage in all key elements that bring direct points – 54:46 in attack, 13:9 in blocks, and 7:0 aces. Both teams made 21 errors each.
Captain Brayelin Martinez led the winners with 21 points, and Yonkaira Peña added 16.
Thus, after the first day of the Olympic qualification, everything comes down to one match – Canada against the Dominican Republic. The winner receives the only NORCECA quota from this tournament for the Olympic Games in Los Angeles 2028. The loser remains without a direct ticket from this qualification.
For Canada, the stakes are historic. The country's women's national team last participated in the Olympic Games in Atlanta in 1996. Qualification for Los Angeles 2028 would mean a return to the Olympic stage after a 32-year absence. The Dominican Republic is pursuing its fifth Olympic appearance and third in a row after Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024.
Before the decisive match, Cuba and Puerto Rico will meet for third place. The final Canada – Dominican Republic is scheduled for 7:00 PM local time in Santo Domingo – 02:00 AM Bulgarian time on the night of August 30.
photo: norceca.info
