July 23, 2023 - Canada beat Cuba 3-0 (25-18, 25-9, 25-20) for fifth place at the Women’s U23 Pan American Cup on Saturday at the Sonora Arena in Hermosillo, Mexico.

Canada ended the event with a 3-3 record for fifth place and Cuba with 1-4 record in sixth. Canada also beat Cuba in the preliminary round in four sets.

Canada outperformed Cuba in attacks (33-22), in blocks (11-3) and points from serves (9-0). Both teams gave away 22 points from unforced errors.

Canada’s leading scorers were middle blockers Kaylee Plouffe and Jessica Andrews with 13 and 10 points respectively. Plouffe on 11 kills and two blocks and Andrews on 6 blocks and 4 aces. Opposite Lucy Borowski added 10 points on 6 kills, one block and three aces. Opposite hitter Claudia Tarin led Cuba with 7 points, and outside hitter Thainalien Castillo with 6 points.

Quotes:
Isabella Noble, setter: "Our team came out really excited today and I think we performed really well. We came together as a team, and it felt so good to end the tournament on a high."

Carolyn O’Dwyer, head coach: "I am really proud how we came out and we were in an aggressive mode to start, that’s how we wanted to serve this match. I think it’s really easy in these matches to not fight and battle, but I am proud my group did, making sure that every match matters."

Roster:
Isabella Noble (S)
Grace Calnan (MB)
Kaylee Plouffe (MB)
Jessica Andrews (MB)
Katerina Georgiadis (L)
Lucy Borowski (OP)
Justine Kolody (S)
Parker Austin (OH)
Aimee Lemire (OH)
Raya Surinx (OH)
Jasmine Rivest (OH)
Ella Gray (OH)

Staff:
Carolyn O’Dwyer, head coach
Laurie Eisler, assistant coach
Gina Schmidt, assistant coach
Searra Becker, athletic therapist
Kelvin Ma, team lead
Keaton Proud, statistician

Report and photo by NORCECA

Volleyball Canada Media Contact:
Jackie Skender
jskender@volleyball.ca
Mobile: 613-794-7676