Historic silver medal for Canada at sitting volleyball world championships

SARAJEVO – Canada won the silver medal in women’s sitting volleyball at the world championships on Friday in a five-set loss to Brazil in the gold medal match, securing the country’s first-ever podium at the worlds.

Brazil outlasted Canada after forcing a tiebreak set to take the win 3-2 (25-23, 18-25, 21-25, 25-17, 15-6). Canada held the advantage for most of the game, until Brazil mounted a comeback in the fourth set and then dominated the fifth.

“We knew Brazil was going to be a tough opponent and we came out fighting in the first three sets. We played our game and scored big,” said team captain Danielle Ellis of White Rock, B.C.

“We couldn’t do the same in the last two, but Brazil kept up the fight. We’re proud to bring home a silver medal to Canada but it also fuels our fire for gold at our next competition.”

Earlier, Tokyo 2020 Paralympic champion USA defeated Slovenia 3-0 (25-8, 25-14, 25-10) to take the bronze medal.

Canada’s women’s team was fourth in Tokyo. This is also the Brazilian women’s team’s first world championship medal, and the nation earned a berth to Paris 2024 with the victory.

Team Canada women’s  team roster:

#2 Julie Kozun – Melfort, SK

#3 Danielle Ellis (C) – White Rock, BC

#4 Jennifer Oakes – Calgary, AB

#5 Payden Vair – Cardston, AB

#6 Angelena Dolezar – St. Albert, AB

#7 Anne Fergusson – Carleton Place, ON

#8 Jolan Wong – Vermilion, AB

#9 Sarah Melenka – Vegreville, AB

#10 Jayme Lepp – Vancouver, BC

#11 Heidi Peters – Neerlandia, AB

#14 Katelyn Wright – Edmonton, AB

#15 Felicia Voss-Shafiq – Burnaby, BC

#16 Jennifer McCreesh – Smithers, BC

#17 Allison Lang – Edmonton, AB

Head Coach: Nicole Ban

Assistant Coach: Chelsea Hobbs

Assistant Coach: Kate Rozendaal

Mental Performance Coach: Marek Komar

Analyst: Lionel Bonnaure

Physiotherapist: Yung Wong

Team Manager: Ian Halliday