Canada outscored Cuba in blocks 10-8 for a 3-1 victory in Havana
Havana, Cuba, June 19, 2015 – Steven Marshall fronted the Canadian blitz for a 3-1 (25-14, 20-25, 25-21, 25-21) win over Cuba in Pool C of the FIVB Volleyball World League at the Ciudad Deportiva Coliseum on Friday.
Marshall fired 17 points from the attack line and scored a block to complete an 18-point outburst, while Toontje Van Lankvelt scored 16 points to support the Canadian offensive. Rolando Cepeda also made 16 points for Cuba.
Cuba looked lost in the opener, which allowed the visiting side’s attackers to pounce on the Cuban defence and take the first set 25-14. The home team retaliated in the second set with more organised defence, while Canada struggled with unforced errors. Cuba tied the match at 1-1 with a 25-20 victory in the second set.
Canada sent a barrage of attacks led by Marshall and Van Lankvelt to take the lead in the third set but Luis Sosa, Livan Osoria and Javier Jimenez’s strong upsurge matched the Canadian intensity. Canada somehow managed to gain enough breathing space but Cuban captain Cepeda was able to bring his team to within three points 23-20 but their two errors in the end compensated for Canadian triumph in the third set 25-21.
Cuba trailed Canada closely in the fourth set at 16-14 and at 21-20 as Cepeda continued to exploit the weakness of the Canadian blockers on his attack. A Cuban fault, however, changed the pace, as Canada rushed to the finish line with a 25-21 set and match victory.
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