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August 4, 2009
Volleyball Canada Media Release
Officials

Junior Men Defeat Tunisia in First Play-Off Match At Junior World Championships in India

The Canadian Junior Men’s Volleyball Team defeated Tunisia today in their first match of the consolation side play-offs at the FIVB Junior World Championships which is being held from July 31st to August 9th in Pune, India. Set scores were 20-25, 25-20, 25-18 and 25-23.

The Canadians are now competing in the consolation side of the play-off draw after finishing in third place in their preliminary round pool. After starting the tournament with a 3-2 victory over Poland, the Canadians lost their next two matches against Brazil (0-3: 21-25, 22-25, 13-25) and then Russia (1-3: 30-32, 16-25, 25-17, 22-25) to finish 1-2 and be relegated to the 9-16 round of the play-offs.

Canada's consolation side pool includes China and Greece, along with Tunisia. The top two teams from this pool will advance to the 9-12 play-off, while the third and fourth place teams will compete for places 13-16.

"Tonights match was a typical beginning for the second round consolation side opener,” said head coach Chris Green. "Once our players made the decision to fight for their country they took control of the match. We were led once again by captain Rudy Verhoeff and heavily supported by the bench from Jay DeRocco, Chris Voth, and setter Jay Blankeneau who helped get us refocused. Our young players are quickly learning what international volleyball is all about. Tomorrow we play China and focus will need to be present right from the start for the quick hitting Chinese."

Canada was led statistically in todays match by Gord Perrin, who had 17 kills, 2 blocks and 1 ace for 20 points.

Tomorrow Canada plays China, who defeated Greece today in five sets.

Canada Match Schedule | Pool D
July 31st Canada vs. Poland (3-2: 19-25, 25-21, 15-25, 25-20)
August 1st Canada vs. Brazil (0-3: 21-25, 22-25, 13-25)
August 2nd Canada vs. Russia (1-3: 30-32, 16-25, 25-17, 22-25)

Canada Match Schedule | Pool H
August 4th Canada vs. Tunisia (3-1: 20-25, 25-20, 25-18, 25-23)
August 5th Canada vs. China
August 6th Canada vs. Greece

Canadian Team Roster includes the following:

LEFT SIDE:
Josh Lichty – St. Catherines, ON - McMaster University
Marc Howatson - Victoria, BC - Trinity Western University
Jason DeRocco - Winnipeg, MB - University of Alberta
Gord Perrin - Creston, BC - Thompson Rivers University
Chris Voth - Winnipeg, MB - University of Manitoba

RIGHT SIDE:
Joren Zeeman - Cambridge, ON - Queen's University


MIDDLE:
Graham Vigrass - Calgary, AB - University of Calgary
Rudy Verhoeff - Calgary, AB - Trinity Western University
Joe Cordonier - Vancouver, BC - University of British Columbia


SETTERS:
Ciaran McGovern - Grand Prairie, AB - University of Calgary
Jay Blankeneau - Edmonton, AB - Mount Royal College


LIBERO:
Pierre-Alexis Lapointe – La Malbaie, QC - Limoilou College


Head Coach: Chris Green – Winnipeg, MB
Assistant Coaches: Paul Armbruster – Lethbridge, AB
Jim Schreyer - Selkirk, MB
Athletic Therapist: Don Miller - Winnipeg, MB


For more information visit www.volleyball.ca or www.fivb.org

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