Canada crushes Colombia at Women's Pan Am Cup

Canada earned its first victory at the Pan Am Cup women’s volleyball tournament on saturday with a resounding 25-12, 25-19, 25-13 victory over Colombia. 

The Canadians had opened the 12-country event with losses to the U.S., and the Dominican Republic, two of the gold medal favourites.

Sarah Pavan of Kitchener, Ont., produced a match-high 17 points and Jaimie Thibeault of Sylvan Lake, Alta., scored 11. 

‘’We kept our lead relying on minimizing errors and did a good job,” said Canadian captain Brittney Page of Vernon, B.C.

For Canada’s head coach Arnd Ludwig the key was pressure. 

“We put a lot of it and winning one set yesterday against Dominican Republic was a positive influence on the team. 

Everybody seemed to be more confident.”

Canada’s next match is Sunday against Puerto Rico.

Canadian team for the Pan Am Cup women’s volleyball tournament July 12-20, 2012 in Ciudad, Mexico:

Middles :

Jaimie Thibeault, Full-Time Training Centre (Winnipeg), Sylvan Lake, AB

Alicia Perrin, Trinity Western University, Creston, BC

Jennifer Cross, University of Michigan, Scarborough, ON

Rebecca Pavan, University of Kentucky Kitchener, ON

Setters :

Kelci French, Trinity Western University, Okotoks, AB

Jaclyn Ellis, Univeristy of Alberta, Mississauga, ON

Left Sides :

Brittney Page, Sollentuna VK, (Sweden), Vernon, BC

Shanice Marcelle, University of British Columbia, Victoria, BC

Lisa Barclay, University of British Columbia, Brandon, MB

Marie-Pier Murray-Methot, Val-de-Travers (Switzerland), Quebec City, QC

Right Side :

Sarah Pavan, Villa Cortese (Italy), Kitchener, ON

Libero :

Janie Guimond, Sport Club Municipal Craiova (Romania), Becancour, QC