Canadian women’s volleyball team nets berth in L.A. Olympics

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“I don’t think I can put it into words how this feels,” said Alexa Gray, who was on the team when it attempted to qualify for the 2024 Games. “I started on the National Team in 2017, and this has been my lifelong dream. We’ve just come so far since that time.

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“We were so, so close last quad and we were heartbroken. I’m just so proud of how we came out today; it was a tough environment, but this team means everything to me and I’m just so happy to represent Canada. So overjoyed!”

Gray and opposite Kiera Van Ryk led Canada’s scoring effort with 22 points apiece. Dominican Republic put on a fight in front of their home crowd, but Canada led in attack points 56-40, blocks 8-7 and aces 8-3. Canada, however, gave away more points to errors (27-23).

Veteran setter Brie Fransen recognized the hard work by the team: “It’s so surreal. I’m so proud of the team and staff of how much we have battled through. We deserve this and it’s such an amazing feeling to feel the reward of all the work.”

Before securing an Olympic berth, Canada captured its first-ever NORCECA Continental Championship, defeating the Americans in Wednesday’s final.

“I cannot ask for anything better,” said Guidetti who credited the hard work of the athletes and staff. “We had two goals in the start of the season — reach the VNL (Volleyball Nations League) finals and qualify for Los Angeles. This team did both and I’m extremely happy.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 29, 2026.

The Canadian Press