Wins in water polo, basketball and soccer for Canada at University Games – Yahoo! Canada News

06 Sep

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Wins in water polo, basketball and soccer for Canada at University Games – Yahoo! Canada News

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Sat Jul 4, 7:16 PM

By The Canadian Press

BELGRADE, Serbia – Greg Surmacz of Peterborough, Ont., scored 22 points to lead Canada’s men’s basketball team to a 100-83 win over China on Saturday, a strong day for the Canadians at the World University Games.

Canada’s women’s soccer team blanked Poland 3-0, while the Canadians recorded a straight-set victory over Slovenia in men’s volleyball.

In diving, Emma Friesen of Vancouver finished sixth in the one-metre springboard.

Surmacz added eight rebounds as the Canadians – bronze medallists in 2007 – finished first in Pool C and advanced to the second round of men’s basketball where they’ll face Russia on Monday.

The Canadians have been plagued by inconsistent play and Saturday was no different, as they gave up big runs to the Chinese in the second and third quarters.

“We still haven’t played 40 minutes,” said Canadian coach Chris O’Rourke. “Part of that is trying to get rotations after being together for just a short period of time and getting the guys to adjust. That’s just been the biggest hurdle for us.”

Josh Gibson-Bascombe of Toronto scored 15 points, while Jacob Doerksen of Langley, B.C., added 14.

Andreanne Gagne of Ste-Hyacinthe, Que., Nikki Wright of Surrey, B.C., and Kendra Flock of Calgary scored as Canada finished Pool A in second place with a 2-1 record, earning a spot in the women’s soccer quarter-finals.

Jackie Dunnett of Burnaby, B.C., earned the shutout.

Canada will face Pool D winner France on Monday for a spot in the semis.

“Our first goal was to advance past the group stage, so now that we have climbed over that hurdle, we’ll take a day’s rest and prepare for the next challenge,” said Canadian head coach Graham Roxburgh.

“You’re going to play a great team any time you make it to a quarter-final in a competition like this, but we know we haven’t played our best yet and we know we can be one level better.”

Canada’s men’s volleyball team, silver medallists in Bangkok two years ago, improved to 2-0 in Pool C with its second consecutive straight-set win.

Steve Gotch of Okotoks, Alta., led the way with 16 kills and six digs, while Joel Schmuland of Calgary added eight kills.

Friesen scored 251.10 points in the one-metre final, hampered by a miss on her second of five dives, a front two and a half pike that earned her only 46.80 points.

“I’ve had problems with that dive before. It’s either very good or it ends up pretty bad like today,” said Friesen. “I’m disappointed. I didn’t come here to finish top eight.

“I still have the three-metre and three-metre synchro coming up. Hopefully I can get good results in those events.”

Jun Dong of China won the gold, with teammate Xinyi Yao took the silver and American Ashley Karnes captured the bronze.

In taekwondo, Sophia Hseuh of Waterloo, Ont., lost 3-0 to Manuela Bezzola of Switzerland in the quarter-finals of the 51 kg category.

In tennis, Taylor Ormond of Hamilton defeated Maja Senica of Slovakia 6-0, 6-2 in her singles debut. She will face Rosa Sitja Gibert of Spain in second-round action Monday.

Ormond was also victorious in doubles where she teamed up with Stephanie Roy of Montreal to dominate Claire Ricketts and Katie Gater of Great Britain 6-4, 6-2 in first-round action.

In men’s doubles, Mikhail Lew of North York, Ont., and Graeme Kassautzki of Vancouver lost their opening round match 6-2, 6-0 to John Peers and John Smith of Australia.

In men’s water polo, Canada fell to 0-3 in Pool B with a 14-7 loss to Montenegro. Matt Venner of Langley, B.C., led Canada with four goals, while John Kaukinen of North Vancouver added a hat trick.

Canada finished in fourth place in its group and moves to the consolation side with a tilt against Mexico.

Canada’s men’s soccer game against Ukraine evening was postponed to Sunday due to inclement weather and poor field conditions.

The Canadians, who had their best Universiade result in 2007 with a fourth-place finish, will advance to the quarter-finals with a win or tie.

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