The two teams were level on unforced errors, but Canada outplayed Spain in all three scoring elements, by 65-59 in spike kills, 11-6 in kill blocks and 3-2 in aces. Their outside hitter Andrea Mitrovic led the way with 22 points, including two kill blocks. Her cross-court teammate Hilary Howe Johnson, who delivered the match winner with a block-out shot at the end of the tie-breaker, added a total of 19 points, also including two kill blocks. Canada’s middle blockers reached the double digits too. Nyadholi Thokbuom put up four blocks and an ace and spiked at a 63% success rate to finish with 15 points, while captain Emily Maglio signed off with 10 points.
With three kill blocks and an ace each, the two 22-year-old middle blockers led Spain’s scorers. Lucia Varela produced a team-high 16 points, while Lola Margarita Hernandez delivered 12. Outside hitter and captain Maria Segura and her cross-court teammate Ana Escamilla added 11 and 10 points, respectively.