| Saturday, June 17, 2000 Canadian women drop
opener
TOKYO -- The Canadian women's volleyball team dropped its
first match of the final Olympic qualification tournament today, losing 3-0 (25-18, 25-13,
25-13) to top-seeded China.
The tournament is Canada's last chance to qualify for the
Olympic Games in Sydney in September. Of the eight teams at the tournament, the top four
get the remaining Olympic berths.
Australia, Cuba, Russia, Brazil, U.S., Germany, Peru and
Kenya have already qualified for Sydney.
The Canadians are the lowest-seeded team, ranked 14th in
the world, at the tournament.
The Chinese, ranked No. 4, broke Canada's confidence
with quick attacking combinations and strong blocking at the net.
"We still don't have the ability to focus throughout a
high level international match," said Canadian coach Doug Reimer. "We have
not had quality competitive experiences in the recent past.
"But just being here is not what it's all about. We
have to perform and show the international world that we belong."
Genevieve Lamarre of Rosemere, Que., led the Canadian
offence with 11 kills and two blocks. Janis Kelly of Winnipeg, a member of the 1996
Olympic team, scored six kills and Rae-Ann Mitchell of Prince George, B.C., added five
kills.
Canada's next match is Sunday against Japan.
In other matches, Italy edged the Netherlands 3-2 (22-25,
19-25, 25-19, 25-23, 15-4), Japan defeated Argentina 3-1 (30-32, 25-17, 25-22, 25-14) and
South Korea beat Croatia 3-0 (25-16, 25-18, 25-20).
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