Canadian men beat Mexico to advance to continental volleyball championship semifinals
Advertisement
Read this article for free:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Digital Subscription
One year of digital access for only $205*
- Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
- Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
- Access News Break, our award-winning app
- Play interactive puzzles
*First annual payment billed as $205.00 + GST for one year. This annual subscription will automatically renew at $233.00 + GST every 52 weeks (10% off the regular annual price of $259.35). Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Add Free Press access to your Brandon Sun subscription for only an additional
$1 for the first 4 weeks*
- Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
- Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
- Access News Break, our award-winning app
- Play interactive puzzles
*Your next Brandon Sun subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $17.95 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.95 plus GST every four weeks.
Read unlimited articles for free today:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
MONCTON – Canada stretched its winning streak to three straight matches on Sunday, and punched its ticket to Tuesday’s NORCECA men’s continental volleyball championship semifinals in the process.
Canada beat Mexico 25-15, 25-18, 25-20 on Sunday at the Avenir Centre to win Group A with a perfect 3-0 record.
“I think we’re moving in the right direction,” said Team Canada’s captain Eric Loeppky. “Obviously we’re super happy with the win. I know we still have to bring more to beat Cuba and the U.S. and just kind of up our game that last 10 per cent.
“I’m happy with the result, obviously we earned that rest day and I’m excited for what’s to come.”
Canada was dominant in blocks (13-2) and aces (9-2) and held a 35-32 edge in attacks against Mexico. Sharone Vernon-Evans was the top scorer for the hosts with 15 points, including a match-high four aces. Loeppky (12 points, eight kills, one block and three aces) and Fynn McCarthy (11 points, including a match-high six blocks) were also scoring standouts for Canada.
Diego González Castañeda (13 points) was the top scorer for Mexico, which finishes Group A play 2-1 and will play in Monday’s quarter-finals.
Canada’s head coach Dan Lewis said Mexico applied a lot of pressure but his squad was able to handle it.
“They (Mexico) missed more than usual tonight, but that’s where they can put stress on you. Our guys did a really good job to manage that, especially Landon (Currie) did a really good job. . . . I’m happy for the team that we got the first goal to win the pool to earn the day off. That will set us up physically for what we need to do.”
The United States won the other pool and also advances to the semifinals.
Eight teams are competing for three berths to the 2027 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Cup in Poland, which will be decided Wednesday. The tournament will also determine the teams that advance to next weekend’s final NORCECA qualification stage for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2026.