August 31, 2024: The Canadian women’s sitting volleyball team lost a close second match of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games 3-1 (25-20, 25-21, 23-25, 25-19) to Team Brazil, giving them a 1-1 record in the preliminary round.

“It was a tough one,” head coach Nicole Ban said after the loss. “I think nerves probably got the best of us tonight. We weren't able to play at the level that we have been playing lately and to be expected at the Paralympic Games against a really good opponent.

“I think (Brazil) showed up. They played some different systems than what we've seen, so good job to them. We have some adjustments that we need to make so we can build moving forward.”

Sarah Melenka’s 18 points led the way for Canada, with six of them coming in the final set as the team pushed for a fifth set. Team captain Danielle Ellis was right behind her with 14 points, and Heidi Peters had 13. Jennifer Oakes tied with Melenka with four blocks and added 11 points, seven of which came in Canada’s lone set win.

“(We’re) definitely still working on the process,” Ellis explained. "This game, as much as every game matters, every point matters and every ball that we're touching matters. And for us, it's working on the process, getting to that medal match, and being good in those two final games.”

Canada is in Pool B with Brazil, Slovenia, and Rwanda. They face each team once in the preliminary round with the top two teams in the pool moving on to the semifinals. They defeated Slovenia in their first game 3-0 (25-11, 25-21, 25-12) and currently sit second in the pool.

The Canadian sitting women will wrap up the round-robin against the 0-2 Rwanda on September 2 at 6 pm local time as they look to solidify their spot in the playoffs. 

Full schedule and results: paralympic.org and World ParaVolley
Team Canada: paralympic.ca

Watch the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games on CBC Sports: cbc.ca/sports/paralympics

Media attaché in Paris: Courtney Killion

Photo: World ParaVolley

Volleyball Canada Media Contact:

Jackie Skender
jskender@volleyball.ca
Mobile: 613-794-7676