Canada beat Mexico in NORCECA women’s volleyball opener in Quebec City | CBC sports

Canada opened the NORCECA Senior Women's Continental Volleyball Championship Tuesday night by beating Mexico in straight sets.

Canada defeated Mexico 25-20, 25-18 and 25-20 in Pool A in the six-day, seven-team competition at the PEPS Desjardins-Universite Laval Amphitheater in Quebec City.

Kiera Van Ryk of Surrey, BC led the Canadian offense in the 69-minute game with 13 points, 11 attacks and a block. Calgary's Alexa Gray had 15 points, nine attacks, a block and an ace.

Canada led in offense (43-32), block points (9-6) and service aces (5-3). Canada took 18 points through mistakes by Mexico.

WATCH l Canada defeats Mexico in Laval, Que. with 25:20, 25:18, 25:20:

Canada defeats Mexico in the opener of the NORCECA Women's Continental Championship

Canada wins 3-0 over Mexico (25-20, 25-18, 25-20) in the opening game of the NORCECA Women's Continental Championship in Quebec City.

Wing forward Grecia Castro Lopez was Mexico's top scorer with 14 points

“I don't think it was our best performance, but I'm glad we had a game like this at the beginning,” said Van Ryk. “I'm proud of how we did. A game in front of a home crowd brings a little excitement with it. I'm proud of how we got out of there and took care of the business.”

Mexico's head coach Nicola Negro praised her players for their performance despite the defeat.

“We arrived here in a difficult situation, most of us only last night, very late. Our setter was ill just before the game, but the girls who were on the pitch showed good will and good humor,” Negro said.

Canada head coach Shannon Winzer figured her players were a bit nervous early in the game.

“I think we showed up a bit nervous today and played it through. I don't think we played the cleanest volleyball at the beginning. But we found a certain rhythm and in the third set we looked more like ourselves.” said Winzer.

“It was great to start with a game like this and hopefully have some momentum for tomorrow's game against Puerto Rico. Mexico are a strong service team and I think we did a good job controlling first contact after a difficult start.”

Earlier in Pool B, the defending champions USA defeated Costa Rica 25-3, 25-13, 25-5, while the Dominican Republic defeated Cuba 25-14, 25-17, 25-16.

On Wednesday, Cuba plays the USA, Costa Rica meets the Dominican Republic and Canada plays Puerto Rico.

Canada squad

• Kiera Van Ryk, Surrey, BC
• Brie King, Langley, BC
• Emily Maglio, Coquitlam, BC
• Vicky Savard, Jonquiere, Que.
• Julia Murman, Toronto
• Jazmine White, Oshawa, Ontario.
• Layne Van Buskirk, Windsor, Ontario.
• Andrea Mitrovic, Mississauga, Ontario.
• Shainah Joseph, Ottawa
• Alicia Ogoms, Winnipeg
• Alexa Gray, Calgary
• Hilary Howe, Calgary
• Kacey Jost, St Albert, Alta.
• Quinn Pelland, Wanham, Ontario.