Canadian women's volleyball team beats Mexico but fails to clinch Olympic spot

Canada's women's volleyball team scored a 3-0 (25-22, 25-22, 25-17) win over Mexico on Saturday, but fell short in its bid to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The Canadian attack was led by Kiera Van Ryk of Surrey, B.C. (17 points), Alexa Gray (13) and Hilary Howe (12), both of Calgary, and Emily Maglio of Coquitlam, B.C. (11).
Canada improved to 4-2 with the victory, but it's not enough for entry into the Paris Games.
Serbia and Dominican Republic, both with 5-1 records, have all but secured the top two spots with one day remaining at the Olympic qualification tournament. Canada is in fourth place in Pool A with 11 points, trailing Serbia and Dominican Republic by four points each.
Only the top two teams in the pool qualify and Canada can only pick up a maximum of three points in their final game against Czechia on Sunday.
"We did what we needed to do to come out on top today against Mexico," said Canada coach Shannon Winzer. "Every team has a difficult schedule with seven games in nine days, but I would argue this is the toughest pool across these Olympic qualifiers so being able to pull out a three-set win today was not easy and we were able to get the job done. Sometimes that just has to be enough."
Netherlands, also at 4-2 but one point ahead of Canada, will face Dominican Republic on Sunday.
Six teams from the qualifying tournament will join host France at next year's Olympics.
Five more countries can earn berths next summer through world rankings, meaning Canada can still qualify for Paris with a successful Volleyball Nations League season.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 23, 2023.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories

'Simply unacceptable': MPs call on Speaker Fergus to resign over 'personal' video message played at partisan event
House of Commons Speaker Greg Fergus apologized to MPs on Monday about a 'personal' video tribute message played this weekend at the Ontario Liberal Party leadership convention, but two opposition parties say that's not enough and are now calling for him to resign over his 'unacceptable' participation in a partisan event.
4 in custody after 'brutal' death of Quebec entrepreneur, partner in Dominica
Four people are in police custody after Quebec businessman Daniel Langlois and his partner Dominique Marchand were found dead in Dominica.
NDP calling on Liberals to establish special immigration measures to help Canadians with families in Gaza
The federal NDP is urging the Liberals to immediately create special immigration measures to allow the evacuation of extended family members of Canadians and permanent residents in Gaza.
WATCH Virus season: 'High risk' of transmission, warns Ontario's top doctor
As respiratory season gets underway, Ontario's top doctor is urging the public to get vaccinated and warning the province is entering a time of 'high risk of transmission' at a time where COVID-19 and RSV cases are on the rise.
Lawyer for families of Bernardo victims wants different prison transfer rules for violent offenders
Tim Danson, the lawyer and legal counsel for the families of Kristen French and Leslie Mahaffy, who were killed by Paul Bernardo, is calling for changes to the way prison transfers are handled for violent offenders.
NDP agriculture critic says he's not impressed by grocers' plans to stabilize prices
New Democrat MP Alistair MacGregor says he has reviewed the major grocers' plans to stabilize prices, and he's unimpressed by what is in them.
Women are increasingly 'their own boss' in Canada. Here's why
A new report by Statistics Canada shows a growing trend of self-employment among women and how, after 30 years, some jobs continue to allow them to be their own boss.
Unity Acquisitions snaps up much of toy store Mastermind, 18 stores to close
Ailing toy retailer Mastermind GP Inc. says it has reached a deal to sell the bulk of its business to a company representing three big names in the Canadian retail world.
Here's how many people will be at risk of homelessness by 2030, according to this AI
An artificial intelligence algorithm has estimated that Canada’s homeless population will almost double by 2030. Researchers fear a lack of action will make this prediction come true.