Nov. 09, 2022: Canada will play in the semi-finals of the 2022 Sitting Volleyball World Championship in Sarajevo on Thursday after a win today over Italy.

This afternoon, Italy controlled the first set, but Canada adjusted well and took the next three for a score of 3-1 (24-26, 25-22, 25-17, 25-14) to advance. Canada will face Slovenia in tomorrow's semi-finals; Italy will play for positions 5-8.

Team captain Danielle Ellis (White Rock, BC) said: "We’re very excited to come away with the win and to be headed into semi-finals. Italy is a tough opponent, and we knew we would have to work hard and play our systems. We had a slow start but were able to pick up the pace and find our game. Now it’s time to build from today in search of a medal."
 
This already improves on Canada's previous best finish at a World Championship - 6th place in 2018. The team was ranked 12th in its only other appearance in 2010. Canada finished fourth at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo.

Canada’s semi is at 15:30 local time in Sarajevo on Nov. 10.

Earlier today at the Worlds, Iraq swept Canada’s men’s sitting volleyball team 3-0 (25-17, 25-22, 25-19). Canada will play Poland, a team that they beat in pool play, for places 11 and 12 on Thursday at 11:30 am local time.

"It was a disappointing result today with the chance to play for top 10 in the tournament. Credit to Iraq as they served very tough," said Team captain Doug Learoyd (Edmonton, AB). "On the flip side, we have several new young players who are at their first international tournament and are playing well. So we’ll shift our focus forward to tomorrow and look to finish the tournament with a win."
 

-All matches are streamed live on World ParaVolley’s YouTube channel.
-Click here for Canadian Team rosters: https://volleyball.ca/en/news/sitting-volleyball-teams-looking-ahead-to-world-championships
-The official tournament updates can be found here: https://www.worldparavolley.org/2022-world-paravolley-sitting-volleyball-world-championships/

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

Photos: World ParaVolley