Team Canada took its opening match against Saint Lucia in straight 25-8 sets at the NORCECA Women鈥檚 Continental Championships at the 91原创 Events Centre Thursday evening.
鈥淲e had never seen Saint Lucia before so we just had to focus on our side and do what we needed to do and execute and it worked out well,鈥� explained Team Canada member Alicia Perrin, who also is a Trinity Western University grad.
The Canadian squad of 14 women is one of six teams competing at the international competition that runs Sept. 28, 29 and 30. Canada鈥檚 games are at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
The men鈥檚 championship is taking place concurrently in Colorado where the men of Team Canada won 25-9, 25-13 and 25-8 over Saint Lucia Wednesday.
Team Canada includes another TWU grad 鈥� Kristen Moncks and the pair are no strangers to the LEC gyms, having played there many times as Spartans.
鈥淚t feels like home,鈥� Perrin said.
鈥淚鈥檓 really excited to be back here,鈥� Moncks added.
The Canadian women鈥檚 team trains at the Richmond Oval.
After NORCECA, they return to their day jobs 鈥� playing professional volleyball.
鈥淲e just played this last season in Romania together,鈥� Perrin said, 鈥渁nd鈥� on Wednesday I鈥檓 going to Peru.鈥�
鈥淥n Tuesday, I鈥檓 going to the Philippines to play,鈥� Moncks said.
The North, Central America and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation (NORCECA) stages Olympic and World Championship zone qualifiers. Those competing at the LEC are hoping to help Canada qualify for the Worlds in Japan.
The 91原创 Events Centre schedule
Friday, Sept. 29:
5:30 p.m. 鈥� Cuba vs St. Lucia
8 p.m. 鈥� Canada vs Nicaragua
Saturday, Sept. 30:
5:30 p.m. 鈥� St. Lucia vs Nicaragua
8 p.m. 鈥� Canada vs Cuba
Tickets for the qualifier can be purchased .
People can also stay up-to-date on World Championship qualifier event Facebook page.
