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Canada got its revenge and in the process prevented the United States from getting a bid to the FIVB U-21 World Championship.
Two years after losing in the championship match to the United States, Canada overcame a one-game deficit to beat the U.S. Men’s Junior National Team 23-25, 25-14, 20-25, 25-22, 15-9 in the NORCECA Continental Championship semifinals Saturday in El Salvador.
With the semifinal loss, the United States will not receive one of the two NORCECA bids to the 2015 FIVB U-21 World Championship. It also will be the first time that United States has not advanced to the World Championship since 2003.
The United States in the semifinal match had three players finish the match with double-digit kills, including BYU incoming recruit Brenden Sander who had a match-high 18 kills. In addition, BYU incoming recruit Storm Faagata-Tufuga had 13 kills, while Hawai’i incoming recruit Kupono Fey added 10 kills.
Canada out-blocked the United States 15 to 6 as it advanced to the NORCECA championship match for the fourth consecutive tournament.
Outside attacker Brandon Koppers had a match-high 19 kills and was one of two Canadian players to get double-digit kills against the United States. Outside attacker Lucas Coleman, a former BYU player who transferred as a freshman to Ryerson in Canada, also finished with 11 kills.
Canada will now advance to the NORCECA championship match against Cuba on Sunday. Cuba swept Puerto Rico in its semifinal match to reach the championship and inch the other NORCECA bid to the World Championship.
The United States will play in the third-place match on Sunday against Puerto Rico.