Canada’s men’s volleyball team advanced to the semifinals and the Canadian men’s basketball team won its opening game Tuesday night at the XVII Pan American Games in Toronto.
The volleyball team remains undefeated after closing the preliminary round with a 3-2 victory over the U.S. in the Exhibition Centre. Adam Simac, the former Queen’s Golden Gael, had three kills and three blocks for the Canadians, who overcame a 2-0 deficit to prevail.
After dropping sets of 25-19 and 27-25, Canada won 25-23, 25-12 and 15-12.
The win gives Canada, 3-0, a bye through Wednesday’s quarter-final round, with a semifinal date Friday at 7 p.m. against an opponent to be determined Wednesday..
On the basketball court of the Ryerson Athletic Centre—formerly Maple Leaf Gardens—Odessa’s Aaron Doornekamp started the game and contributed four points to Canada’s 105-88 win over the Dominican Republic. In 27 minutes of playing time, Doornekamp was 2-for-7 from the field, with five rebounds and four assists.
Canada will resume play Wednesday at 6 p.m. against Argentina.
Earlier Tuesday, Cutting Edge Fencing member Leonora Mackinnon advanced to the round of 16 in individual women’s epee competition before she was eliminated by American Katherine Holmes, 14-12.
Holmes went on to win the gold medal.
Mackinnon won two of her five matches in the qualifying round. She will compete again Friday, when Canada faces Cuba in the quarter-finals of the team epee competition.