GWANGJU, South Korea (Team Canada) – Canada was knocked out of the medal round in women’s volleyball by Russia on Wednesday night in Gwangju. The Russians bested Canada by a score of 3-0 (25-20, 25-17, 25-19) and Canada will now play for a fifth place finish.

Gwangju 2015 website: www.gwangju2015.com

Team Canada website: http://english.cis-sic.ca/universiade/summer/2015/index

Team Canada Twitter: @CDNUniversiade | #goCanadaU

Canada showed its competitive streak in the first set. The Russians scored three straight points to open the match but the Canadians quickly drew even at 7-7 with kills from Danielle Brisebois (UBC) and Med Casault (University of Alberta). Russia came right back with five consecutive points, which Canada met again to tie at 18-18 when Nikki Cornwall (Trinity Western University) delivered an ace. Russia would not be denied however, and closed out the set 25-20.

“We gave up long sequences of points and the big reason for that was our reception,” said head coach Olivier Trudel. “The quality of first contact makes the difference against big teams in international competition. Their service was also better. Our players worked very hard this evening. Now we have to go and win fifth place.”

Canada started the second set on uneven footing and saw Russia score eight straight points to lead 12-6. However, as they have all tournament long, the Canadians fought back and quickly tied the score at 13-13 at the end of a long rally. The attacks from Vicky Savard (University of Montreal) and Brisebois were crucial during the comeback sequence. Russia then won 12 of the next 16 points to win the set 25-17.

Canada’s opponents did not take their foot off the gas pedal and took a 9-2 lead in the next set. This time, with the exception of four straight points and several highlight plays Canada did not mount a challenge and Russia finished the match with a 25-19 set win.

Hitter Danielle Brisebois (UBC) led the Canadian attack with 10 kills, two blocks, and an ace. Marie-Alex Bélanger (University of Montreal) made several key points and finished with six kills and two blocks.

Olivier Trudel’s squad will face Colombia in the consolation semi-final Thursday at 8 p.m. (7 a.m. ET).

BOXSCORE

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The Summer Universiade is an international multi-sport event that takes place every two years and is second only to the Olympic Games in the number of participating athletes and countries. The Universiade is open to competitors who are at least 17 and less than 28 years of age as of January 1 in the year of the Games. Participants must be full-time students at a post-secondary institution (university, college, CEGEP) or have graduated from a post-secondary institution in the year preceding the event.

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