FORMER SPARTAN VOLLEYBALLER GOLDEN IN THE DOMINCAN

Chaim Schalk

VOLLEYBALL
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 2011
BEACH

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FORMER SPARTAN VOLLEYBALLER GOLDEN IN THE DOMINCAN

BOCA CHICA, Dominican Republic – Trinity Western alumnus Chaim Schalk (Red Deer, Alta) got one step closer to his dream of representing Canada on the beach volleyball court at the 2012 Summer Olympics after helping Canada to win the NORCECA Central Zone Phase of the men’s beach volleyball Continental Cup.

Schalk, who played for the Spartans men’s volleyball team from 2006-2009, was part of a four-man Canadian contingent that not only beat Cuba in the final match but also earned a berth in next year’s Continental Cup Final Olympic qualifying tournament.

In the final, Schalk and playing partner Martin Reader beat both Cuba teams in the final series and then won the golden set 15-13 to lead Canada to the title.

The tournament is a little different style than conventional volleyball tournaments in that two teams represent each country and travel through the draw as a four-man unit. Both teams play both of the other teams in what is basically a best-of-five series.

Schalk and Reader got to the final by first helping Canada to a 4-0 win over the United States Monday to earn the red and white a spot in the semi-finals. After fellow Canadians Christian Redmann (Toronto, Ont.) and Ben Saxton (Calgary, Alta.) won the opening match 21-17, 21-16 over USA2, the Schalk/Reader team ended the four-match series by beating USA1 21-15, 21-16 in the first game and the taking the second game after an injury forfeit. Redmann and Saxton finished the sweep with a 21-15, 21-19 win over USA2.

Then in the semifinal, although having already qualified for next year’s Continental Cup final qualifying as one of the top four teams, the Canadians won three out of four over Puerto Rico to advance to the final. Schalk and Reader beat Puerto Rico A 21-19, 17-21, 15-11 and lost to Puerto Rico B 21-16, 21-16 but with a pair of wins from the other Canadian pair 21-18, 26-24 over Puerto Rico B and 27-25, 21-18 over Puerto Rico A, the Canadians were off to the final where they were able to knock off Cuba.

-TW-

Last Updated: 2011-05-03
Author: Mark Janzen