Fred Winters scores 19 points, Canada beats Czech Republic in World League match

CESKE BUDEJOVICE, Czech Republic – Fred Winters scored 19 points, including a match-winning ace, as Canada downed the Czech Republic 3-1 on Sunday in FIVB World League action.

The Canadians won the match 25-16, 25-23, 24-26, 26-24. Petr Michalek had 18 points for the Czechs.

“It took mental effort to execute the skills and team play in the pressure here, and with the fatigue,” said Canada’s acting head coach Larry McKay.

The Canadians opened the match with an easy first set win but faced a tougher challenge in the second.

The Czech Republic responded with a set win in the third and carried that momentum into the fourth set with an 18-12 advantage. Canada managed to tie the game at 23-23 before Winters scored the winner.

The Canadians were coming off straight-set wins on Friday and Saturday against China and Egypt.

“This is the first time we have started World League with three wins on the road,” said Winters. “We got a little bit tired in the third set, but then Blankenau came on and saved us from service line. It was nice to see because he didn’t play this weekend and he did his job.”