Canada sweeps Korea in opener at FIVB World Volleyball Championships

Team Canada started exactly how they wanted to on home court.

They had a 3-0 sweep over Korea at the FIVB World League Volleyball Championships at Sasktel Centre on Friday night.

The sets were 25-20, 25-21, and 25-20 for Canada.

“We are trying to win as many games as we can in this league to prepare for Rio,” said Canada head coach, Glenn Hoag. “It wasn’t a perfect game, but we’ll get better as the tournament goes on.”

Josh Perrin had 11 points, Nicholas Hoag had 11, and Justin Duff had 10 for the red and white.

“It’s been going good for us lately,” said Blair Bann. “We had some issues at first to get settled in the match, but throughout the game we picked up consistency with spiking and receiving.”

The crowd was energetic throughout the whole match as “Go Gavin Go” chants echoed through the court, cheering on local Saskatoon star Gavin Schmitt.

However, the crowd isn’t as enthusiastic as the ones overseas.

“Canadian fans are too polite,” said Schmitt. “They need to make more noise when the other team is serving, got to get some energy going because we’re too quiet.”

His teammate Bann agrees.

“It takes a little bit of time for the volleyball crowd to get pumped up in Canada,” he said. “You can’t just go crazy like at a hockey game because there are so many stoppages of play.”

The hometown hero Schmitt didn’t hit the floor in the match as he’s been battling an injury.

“I think I’ll be in today (Saturday),” he said. “But I don’t know for sure, don’t want to divulge too much just yet.”

1,735 fans were in attendance.

They take on China Saturday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. and Portugal on Sunday at 6:05 p.m.

These matches are one of the last tune up’s before the Summer Olympics in Rio, Brazil in August