Canada’s women’s volleyball team secured a spot in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics after defeating the Dominican Republic in the championship match of the women’s volleyball NORCECA Continental Qualifier. The top-ranked Canadian team, led by coach Giovanni Guidetti and assistants Carolyn O’Dwyer, Vincenzo Mallia, and TJ Sanders, triumphed in four games against the fourth-ranked Dominican squad with a final score of 25-15, 20-25, 25-23, 25-14. This victory marked Canada’s fourth Olympic appearance and its first since 1996, where the team tied for ninth place.
Alexa Gray, a member of the team since 2017, expressed her overwhelming joy at achieving this milestone, emphasizing the team’s growth since their last qualifying attempt. Gray, along with standout player Kiera Van Ryk, led Canada’s scoring with 22 points each. Despite a strong performance by the Dominican Republic, Canada dominated in attack points, blocks, and aces, although they conceded more points due to errors.
Setter Brie Fransen commended the team’s dedication and perseverance, describing the achievement as surreal and a testament to their hard work. Canada’s success in the NORCECA Continental Championship, where they defeated the United States in the final, paved the way for their Olympic qualification. Coach Guidetti praised the team’s commitment and highlighted their successful season goals of reaching the VNL Finals and securing a spot in the upcoming Olympics.