Canada beats U.S Virgin Islands at Beach Continental Cup
2nd berth in men's Olympic beach volleyball on the line for Canadians
Canada opened its quest for a second berth in the men's Olympic beach volleyball competition with a sweep of the U.S. Virgin Islands on Thursday at the NORCECA Continental Cup.
Two Canadian teams beat the U.S. Virgin Islands in three straight matches to take the best-of-five quarter-final in Guaymas, Mexico.
First, Josh Binstock and Sam Schachter, both from Richmond Hill, Ont., knocked off Marc Lomeli and Hylas Smith 21-11, 21-13. Then, Toronto's Grant O'Gorman and Sam Pedlow, from Barrie, Ont., were winners over Brian Kwasny and Dillon Lesniak 21-8, 21-13.
Binstock and Schachter then took on Kwasny and Lesniak and made quick work of their opponents, winning another match in straight sets, 21-4, 21-9.
Canada will face Puerto Rico in the tournament's semifinal round on Saturday. The finals take place on Sunday. Mexico and Cuba are the other countries still in Olympic contention.
The Continental Cup features a format where teams work together to knock off countries to seal an Olympic berth for the nation. Whichever country claims that spot in Rio would then have to determine which duo gets that berth.
Teams that finish second and third will get one final shot through the FIVB World Continental Cup competition.
Canada already has one spot in men's Olympic beach volleyball with Chaim Schalk from Red Deer, Alta., and Calgary's Ben Saxton of Calgary already qualifying.