Defending Champs Canada register first win

Kolkata, Aug 2 (UNI) Defending Champions Canada at last had something to cheer about when they defeated New Zealand in straight sets today to register their first win of the tournament today.

Canada won the first edition of the tournament 26 years ago in London.

Canada beat New Zealand 25-10, 25-15, 25-16. For the first time in the tournament the team lived up to their top billing playing near perfect volleyball with their spikers, defenders and passers in absolute harmony.

Louis-Pierre Mainville, the lone world cupper in the side, was in prime touch going for 8 kills and four block that counted. After the match Canadian coach Georges Laplante said, ''I am happy with the way we played. This is the side of the future and there are some good talents.'' He also informed that the team was heading for Bangkok to play in the FISU world meet.

New Zealand coach Tony Natapu said they played the way they should have with so little preparations.

He also felt that once volleyball got the Commonwealth recognition it would have more funds to work with and a structure would be in place.

While Canada walloped up the Kiwis in 18 mins in the first set, the islanders gave some resistance in the next two sets but a nine functional libero and poor overhead passes meant they won few points and Canada romped home in 58 minutes.

Tomorrow Canada will play for the fifth/sixth spot.

UNI