MATCH INFO

Niterói, Brazil, August 7, 2011 – Canada secured their place in the semifinals after defeating Tunisia with a 3–1 (25-20, 25-21, 21-25, 25-23) Sunday morning at Caio Martins Gymnasium at the FIVB Volleybll Men´s Junior World Championship 2011.

The North Americans have a 3-0 record in Pool G and have to wait for the results of the Pool H match between Bulgaria and Germany to know their opponent in the ninth-place semifinals on August 9. Tunisia (1-2) will play in the quarterfinals on August 8.

Looking recovered from the injury he suffered Saturday, Canada's Tommy Belisle led all scorers with 26 points on 23 spikes and three blocks. Bradley Kufske added 14 points on 12 attacks, one block and one ace. Braden Mclean had a match-high six blocks for Canada

Amin Ben Bey was the best player for Tunisia, scoring 15 points on 14 attacks and one service ace. Canada gave up 32 points on team errors while Tunisia only gave 20.

The teams opened even at 5-5 when Tunisia had three straight errors to fall behind 8-5 at the first technical timeout (TTO). Tunisia pulled to within one point at 9-8 thanks in part to two Canada errors. But Canada came back with a block from Lucas Van Berkel and attack by Nicholas Hoag to lead 11-8. Later, Canada middle blocker Braden McLean would have three straight blocks on his way to his set total of five as Canada took the set 25-20. Tunisia led in attacks 9-7, but Canada led blocks 8-1. Tunisia scored 10 points on Canada’s team errors.

The second set was tied at 4-4 when Canada scored three points on two blocks by Van Berkel and a Tunisia error to lead 7-4. Canada led 8-5 at the first TTO and extended it to 10-5 on two straight attacks and a Tunisia error.  Canada led 16-10 at the second TTO. Canada reached set point at 24-19. Tunisia scored on Canada’s service error and an ace from Amin Ben Bey to pull to within three before Belisle ended the set for Canada with an attack off Tunisia’s block.

Tunisia broke a 3-3 tie in the third set with Canada’s hitting error and an attack from Siala that went through Canada’s block to lead 5-3. Later, leading 7-6, Tunisia scored three straight points to pull away. Tunisia reached set point at 24-17, but Canada scored four straight points with an attack and three Tunisia errors before Tunisia won the set on Canada’s serve in the net.

The fourth set stayed very close throughout with neither side gaining a significant advantage. With the score tied 23-23, Canada’s Tristan Aubry scored by spiking Tunisia’s overpass down the middle. Tunisia called timeout, but Canada won the match with a double block from Aubry and Bradley Kufske.