Mission accomplished as Canada secures a spot in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics after defeating the Dominican Republic in the women’s volleyball NORCECA Continental Qualifier championship match. The top-ranked Canadian team, led by coach Giovanni Guidetti and assistants Carolyn O’Dwyer, Vincenzo Mallia, and TJ Sanders, clinched the victory in four games against the fourth-ranked Dominican team with scores of 25-15, 20-25, 25-23, 25-14. This win marked Canada’s fourth Olympic appearance and their first since 1996, where they finished tied for ninth in Atlanta.
Alexa Gray, a long-time member of the National Team, expressed her elation at the team’s success, emphasizing the hard work and progress made since she joined in 2017. Gray, along with Kiera Van Ryk, led Canada’s scoring efforts with 22 points each, outperforming the Dominican Republic in attack points, blocks, and aces, despite conceding more points due to errors. Setter Brie Fransen commended the team’s perseverance and dedication, describing the achievement as surreal and well-deserved.
Prior to securing their Olympic berth, Canada also claimed their first NORCECA Continental Championship by defeating the United States in the final match. Coach Guidetti lauded the team’s accomplishments, highlighting their objectives at the beginning of the season to reach the VNL Finals and qualify for the Olympics, both of which were successfully achieved. The team’s hard work and unity were credited for their remarkable achievements on the court.