TEPIC, Nayarit, Mexico, July 17, 2022 – An undefeated Cuban side beat Canada 3-0 (25-23, 25-23, 25-19) for gold at the Men’s Pan American Cup Norceca Final Six tournament on Sunday night in Tepic, Nayarit, Mexico.

Canada brings home silver with the team’s only losses (5-2) occurring against Cuba (7-0). The U.S. won the bronze match 3-0 over Puerto Rico.

Last night, outside hitter Miguel Angel Lopez of Cuba collected 13 points on 12 kills and one block, and opposite hitter Jesus Herrera reached 14 points on nine attacks, two blocks and three points from serves. Middle blocker Robertlandy Simón added nine points.

Outside hitter Brandon Koppers led Canada in scoring with 11 points on eight kills and three aces, and opposite hitter Jordan Canham contributed 10 points on six kills, two blocks and two aces.

“This is a great defensive team, we did very well and proved what we are made of,” Koppers said in the post-match interview. “We take every point as experience, we are preparing for the Pan American Cup in August (in Gatineau) back in Canada, so for some of our younger guys it was a great experience. The tournament was amazing.”

Canadian Jordan Pereira was named the best digger and best libero of the tournament. 
 
Roster

#1 – Jordan Pereira, St. Catharines, ON

#2 – Matthew Neaves, Calgary, AB

#3 – Jesse Elser, Calgary, AB

#4 – Jordan Canham, Avonmore, ON

#8 – Cole Ketrzynski, Toronto, ON

#11 – Logan House, Barrie, ON

#13 – Max Elgert, Edmonton, AB

#14 – Xander Ketrzynski, Toronto, ON

#16 – Jordan Schnitzer, Surrey, BC

#17 – Isaac Heslinga, Orangeville, ON

#19 – Cole Duncanson, St. Catharines, ON

#21 – Luke Herr (C), Winnipeg, MB

#22 – Brandon Koppers, Puslinch, ON

#23 – Fynn McCarthy, Lake Country, BC

Staff

Head Coach: Dan Ota

Assistant Coach: Nate Groenveld

Assistant Coach: Mike Hawkins

Sport Physiotherapist: Kirsten Lemmon

Strength and Conditioning Coach: Louis-Jean Tremblay

Statistician: Lionel Bonnaure

Team Manager: Larry McKay

Full results, stats and other info here: www.norceca.net

Coming up this week, the U19 Girls Pan American tournament from Tulsa, OK.

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

Photo: NORCECA