Canada’s women’s volleyball team secured a spot in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics after defeating the Dominican Republic in the championship match of the NORCECA Continental Qualifier. The Canadian team, under the guidance of head coach Giovanni Guidetti and assistants Carolyn O’Dwyer, Vincenzo Mallia, and TJ Sanders, triumphed over the Dominican squad in four games with a score of 25-15, 20-25, 25-23, and 25-14. This victory marked Canada’s fourth Olympic appearance and their first since 1996 when they tied for ninth place in Atlanta.
Alexa Gray, a member of the team since 2017, expressed her elation at achieving this milestone after narrowly missing out on qualifying for the 2024 Games. She described it as a lifelong dream come true and highlighted the team’s growth and resilience over the years. Gray, along with Kiera Van Ryk, led Canada’s scoring with 22 points each, contributing to their victory despite a strong performance by the Dominican Republic.
Setter Brie Fransen commended the team’s perseverance and unity, emphasizing the hard work that led to this historic achievement. Canada’s success in the NORCECA Continental Championship, where they defeated the United States in the final, further solidified their impressive journey to the Olympics. Head coach Guidetti praised the dedication of the athletes and staff, expressing his satisfaction with the team’s accomplishment of reaching both the VNL Finals and securing a spot at the upcoming Olympics in Los Angeles.