Canadian volleyball team loses 3-1 to Cuba in opener of Olympic qualifier
CAGUAS, Puerto Rico (CP) - Sun Jan 4

Odelvis Dominico Speek, from Cuba, is blocked by Canada's Steve Brinkman (11) and Terence Martin (16) during the first day of the Pre Olympic Men's Voleyball Tournament being held in Caguas, Puerto Rico, on Sunday January 4, 2004. (Ap Photo/Antonio Crespo)

Cuba defeated Canada 3-1 on the opening day of a regional men's volleyball Olympic qualifying tournament Sunday. Set scores were 26-24, 25-22, 16-25, 30-28. Canadian players of the game were Terry Martin of Burlington, Ont., with 16 kills and one block, and Paul Duerden of London, Ont., with 14 kills and two blocks. Duerden also added eight digs and Libero Lucas Snider of Waterloo, Ont., had five digs. Canada plays Puerto Rico on Monday.

Down 2-0 in setsagainst Cuba, Canada would not go down without a fight. Canada led 8-5 in the third game and clinched the win with powerful blocking.

The fourth game was tied 13-13, and Canada held leads of 16-15 and 21-19 before Cuba rallied. At 23-23, Cuba took its first lead of the set and eventually won 30-28 after two Canadian passing errors. Despite the loss, Canadian coach Stelio DeRocco took positives from the match.

"We put ourselves in a position to win this match," he said. "We outscored Cuba in every aspect of the game but we need to learn to perform under pressure.

"We do that and we will win. This event is not won on the first night. It's won on the last, and we can be there."

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