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Undefeated U.S. downs Canada 3-1 at men's volleyball world championship

SOFIA, Bulgaria — Canada lost its opening second-round game at the men's world volleyball championship 3-1 to the United States on Friday.

Set scores were 25-17, 25-14, 21-25, 25-17.

Canada dropped its third straight match and fell to 3-3 at the tournament. The undefeated U.S. improved to 6-0.

John Gordon Perrin led Canada with 17 points, while Nicholas Hoag added 12.

Matthew Anderson of the United States led all scorers with 22 points.

Canada was dominated in the first two sets, but came back in the third with a much improved set. The momentum swing was short-lived, however, as the U.S. blazed to 7-2 lead in the fourth and didn't look back.

"It was very different than against Brazil or France (round 1 losses), where we had opportunities, and we were sometimes very close and missed our chances," Canada coach Stephane Antiga said. "Tonight was different, except in the third set where we played well, and served and received better. But the three other sets - the U.S. were just dominating, and much stronger. We were not even close.”

The U.S. leads Pool G with 16 points, followed by co-host Bulgaria at 12, Iran at 11 and Canada at nine. Records from the first round carried over to the second-round pools.

The top teams in each of the second-round pools plus the two best second-place teams qualify for the third round.

Canada next faces Iran on Saturday in a must-win game for both teams. Iran was defeated 3-0 by Bulgaria on Friday.

The Canadian Press


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