This past Saturday, Canada punched their ticket in Langley, B.C. to the 2018 FIVB Women’s World Volleyball Championships, with an exciting three set victory, 25-18, 25-15, 25-23 over Cuba in the Gold Medal Game.

The team, which trains out of the Richmond Oval, was led by tournament MVP, Alexa Lea Gray of Calgary, Alta. – Gray was also named the tournament’s Top Scorer and Top Opposite.

The victory was extra sweet for Canada having recently lost to Cuba at a Pan Am Cup event in Peru.

“The last time we faced Cuba we lost to them, so  we’ve had our sights set on this match for the last month and a half,” said team captain, Lucy Charuk, of Tsawwassen, B.C. “We knew it came down to tonight.”

Charuk also added how much the team loved playing at home in front of a loud and outstanding crowd at the Langley Events Centre.

Canadian Head Coach, Marcello Abbondanza, was happy with the team’s effort and says it shows just how far the team has come from the start of the summer until now.

“I’m happy for my team,” said Abbondanza. “They gave it 100 per cent of what they had, and winning 3-0 is never easy, so bravo!”

Also on the team were, Kyla Richey (Best Receiver Award), Roberts Creek, B.C., Brianna Beamish, Surrey, B.C. and Alicia Perrin, Creston, B.C.

The Women’s World Championships will take place, Sept. 29-to-Oct. 20, 2018 in Japan and will feature 24 countries, including Cuba.