July 21, 2019: Canada wrapped the first round of the FIVB Volleyball Men’s U21 World Championship on Saturday in Bahrain. Poland won the 3-1 match (20-25, 25-20, 25-18, 26-24) to finish third in Pool D.
 
The pool was particularly strong with volleyball powerhouses – Italy, Brazil and defending U21 world champions Poland. Italy won the pool and advances with Brazil. 
 
"It’s just about continuing to work to keep getting better,” said Canada’s coach Joao Paulo Bravo. “We are trying to improve, so let’s see what comes in the next round.” 

Canada faces Puerto Rico in Pool G action on Monday. The winners from Pools G and H will playoff for the ninth to 12th classification, with the bottom two teams from the same pool moving onto a playoff for 13th to 16th places.
 
Player Fynn McCarthy, who contributed 15 points in the match with Poland, said of the team’s play: “We made some very good improvements over the last couple of days. It’s always tough playing the Polish team, but I think we made some big adjustments. Despite losing the match, we’re still proud of the way we played.” 
 

• July 19: Brazil def. Canada 3-0 (25-25, 25-19, 25-13) 
  July 18: Italy def. Canada 3-0 (25-17, 25-17, 25-15) 
• U21 Worlds website:
  http://u21.men.2019.volleyball.fivb.com/en

U21 travelling roster:
Jackson Bere, Toronto, ON
Jordan Canham, Newington, ON
Jesse Elser, Calgary, AB
Mathias Elser, Calgary, AB (captain)
Colm Guyn, Lethbridge, AB
Brodie Hofer, Langley, BC
Xander Ketrzynski, Toronto, ON
Coltyn Liu, Vancouver, BC
Justin Lui, Pickering, ON
Fynnian McCarthy, Lake Country, BC
Matthew Neaves, Calgary, AB
Alexis Tournier, Gatineau, QC

Staff:
Head coach: Joao Paulo Bravo   
Asst. Coach: Adam Simac             
Asst. Coach: Shayne White          
Statistician: Daniel Cuzmar-Grimalt         
Athletic Therapist: Seadon Pereira           
Team Manager: Melanie Desrochers
 
Photo: FIVB

Volleyball Canada media contact:
Jackie Skender jskender@volleyball.ca
Mobile: 613-794-7676