Canada is on the verge of securing a spot in the 2028 Olympic men’s indoor volleyball tournament. The 13th-ranked team in the world can lock in their place for Los Angeles by defeating 16th-ranked Cuba in the NORCECA qualification final in Moncton, NB at 6 p.m. ET on Saturday.
In a dominant display, Canada’s team swept Mexico 3-0 in sets, with scores of 25-21, 25-18, and 25-13 in the semifinals. The Canadians outperformed Mexico in attack points (42-31), blocks (8-0), and aces (8-2) at the Avenir Centre, building on their recent performance in the NORCECA Continental Championship where they narrowly lost to the United States in the gold-medal match.
Head coach Dan Lewis commended his team for their execution and emphasized the importance of resting and preparing for the final. Canada previously secured a spot at the World Cup in Poland by defeating Cuba in the continental semifinals.
Captain Eric Loeppky led the scoring for Canada, supported by Sharone Vernon-Evans, Jackson Howe, and Stephen Maar. Fynn McCarthy also made significant contributions, showcasing his skills as the best server with four aces in the match.
Xander Ketrzynski emphasized the importance of maintaining their playing style and staying focused for the final match. Despite a slow start, Canada managed to overcome Mexico’s initial aggressive serving and maintained their composure to secure the victory.
With a history of strong performances at the Olympics, including a fourth-place finish in 1984, Canada’s team is eager to continue their success and secure their place in the upcoming tournament. The Canadians have a solid record in previous Olympic qualifiers, having swept Mexico in 2024 and finishing 10th in Paris. Mexico, on the other hand, ended a 48-year Olympic absence in 2016 and finished 11th in Rio.
