September 18, 2022: Canada reached the podium at the FIVB Beach Volleyball U19 World Championship 2022 in Dikili, Türkiye today.

Emma Glagau and Ruby Sorra, both of Ontario, beat Sophie Kubiak and Bailey Showalter of the United States 2-0 (21-10, 21-16), for the bronze.

The Canadians’ journey to the final four included three wins in Pool D, with a single set lost along the way, a round of 16 victory over China’s Tong Yu and Kaiyue Jiang and a come-from-behind quarterfinal win over Poland’s Malgorzata Ciezkowska and Urszula Lunio.

Then in a very competitive semi-final battle, another US pair Myriah Massey and Ashley Pater narrowly defeated Glagau and Sorra, both 17 years old, in the tie-break 2-1 (27-25, 17-21,17-15) to advance to the final.

“I am so proud of the work Ruby and I have been putting in, and glad to know that it is starting to pay off,” said Glagau. “It was not the podium finish we wanted, but I have faith that one day the gold will be ours.”

Yeva Serdiuk and Daria Romaniuk of Ukraine won gold with Massey and Pater (USA) taking silver.

Sorra said: "This was just such an incredible experience to be a part of, and I am so thankful for all the supporters and coaches that helped us throughout the whole tournament." The team was fifth at last year's U19 Worlds in Thailand.

Sunday's matches can be found on YouTube: https://youtu.be/z54qdJOhz2M

Two-time beach volleyball Olympian Heather Bansley, coaching the team at this event, said: “I’m really proud of Emma and Ruby’s playing all week, and their ability to come back after a heartbreaking loss in the semi to win the bronze medal commandingly. I am confident they both learned many lessons this week in their bronze medal performance that will continue to serve them in their bright careers ahead.”
 
This was the 17th edition of the youth World Championship in beach volleyball.
Website: https://en.volleyballworld.com/beachvolleyball/competitions/u19-world-championships-2022/

Kristians Fokerots and Gustavs Auzins of Latvia won men’s gold. Canada had two men’s teams - Kiriakou/Svendsen were 37th and McGregor/Winser finished 25th. Kok/Drozd, also representing Canada on the women’s side, were 45th.
 
Volleyball Canada media contact:
Jackie Skender
(613) 794-7676