RIO DE JANEIRO – Canada earned a straight-sets victory over the Dominican Republic in Volleyball Nations League play Thursday night.
The Canadian women won the opening set 25-20 and the second set 25-21 before edging the Dominican Republic 25-22 in the third to clinch the win.
Canada led in attacks 44-37 and had seven blocks to six from its opponent. Alexa Gray of Calgary led Canada in scoring with 19 points and Kiera Van Ryk of Surrey, B.C., had 18.
![Canada's players celebrate after scoring against Dominican Republic during a Volleyball Women's Nations League match at the Maracanazinho stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Thursday, May 16, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Bruna Prado](https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/20240516220516-ce366ec038522e57788439e2af29e8b141a3fdf5c9cde1ea39fe7fd1c3ac7020.jpg?w=1000)
Canada’s women are still vying for a place at this summer’s Olympics in Paris.
Seven women’s teams have already qualified. The remaining five spots will go to the top five not-yet-qualified teams in the FIVB rankings as of the end of the Volleyball Nations League preliminary phase. Canada entered the event ranked 11th.
Canada opened with a four-set loss to host Brazil on Tuesday night. The team’s next match is Friday against China.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 16, 2024.