Canada earned their first-ever Paralympic medal in ladies’s sitting volleyball on the Paris 2024 Paralympic Video games, with Heidi Peters delivering a masterclass efficiency to steer her group to a straight-sets (25-15, 25-18, 25-18) victory over Brazil on Saturday on the North Paris Enviornment.
This victory marked a historic second for Canada, particularly vital because it got here after their heartbreaking loss to Brazil within the bronze medal match at Tokyo 2020. In simply their third Paralympic look, Canada lastly climbed onto the rostrum, with Peters’ 9 aces and 9 assaults proving to be the distinction.
Peters was unstoppable all through the match, her serving wreaking havoc on Brazil’s defence, a stark distinction to their earlier encounter at Tokyo 2020, the place Brazil had received bronze. This time, Peters’ lethal accuracy and relentless energy from the service line dismantled Brazil’s sport plan. Supported by her teammates, captain Danielle Ellis and Jennifer Oakes, who contributed with essential all-around play, Peters led Canada to their long-awaited triumph. On the Brazilian aspect, Suellen did her greatest to maintain her group aggressive, ending with 9 factors, whereas Janaina Petit Cunha added eight, however Brazil couldn’t overcome Canada’s relentless strain.
Statistically, Canada was superior in practically each class, outscoring Brazil in assaults (37-21) and aces (15-3). Whereas Brazil edged Canada in blocks (8-7), they couldn’t deal with Peters’ serves, which regularly disrupted their rhythm and stifled their capability to string collectively profitable assaults.
The opening set noticed each groups testing one another early, buying and selling factors to a 3-3 impasse. Nonetheless, Peters shortly tilted the steadiness in Canada’s favour. Her eight aces within the first set alone dismantled Brazil’s defence, pushing Canada to a commanding 12-6 lead. Regardless of a short spark from Suellen, who managed three consecutive assault factors to shut the hole to 13-9, Brazil couldn’t maintain the momentum. Canada’s response was quick, regrouping after a timeout to proceed extending their lead. A service fault by Sarah Meleka ended Brazil’s resistance, permitting Peters to shut the set at 25-15.
Within the second set, Brazil tried to reply, with Suellen delivering a powerful begin from the service line to provide Brazil an early 4-1 benefit. But Peters, undeterred, took management as soon as once more. Canada shortly levelled the rating as Peters’ highly effective assaults lower via Brazil’s defence. With Ellis and Oakes contributing well timed performs on the web and on defence, Canada regained their composure and surged forward 17-14. Peters added her ninth ace to make it 19-15, and Canada closed out the set 25-18, maintaining Brazil on the defensive.
The third set was a tighter affair, with each groups buying and selling factors till they reached a 9-9 tie. Brazil briefly discovered momentum, with Suellen and Petit main a 14-10 cost. Nonetheless, Peters, exhibiting her management, rallied her group, with Oakes offering essential assist on the web. Canada fought again to tie the rating at 14-14, and from there, they by no means seemed again. Julie Kozun’s service run prolonged Canada’s result in 20-15, whereas Ellis and Sarah Melenka stored the strain on Brazil. Brazil made late adjustments, however a service error from Pamela Pereira sealed the set at 25-18, handing Canada the bronze medal.
This victory was notably candy for Canada, having misplaced to Brazil in the identical bronze medal match at Tokyo 2020. Peters’ efficiency from the service line was the important thing distinction, guaranteeing that this time, Canada got here out on prime, claiming their first Paralympic medal and rewriting the story of their rivalry with Brazil.
Picture: WPV/Sinisa Kanizaj.
