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Neerlandia native helps Canadian women to their best Paralympic finish

Heidi Peters and the Canadian sitting volleyball team finish fourth after losing in hard-fought game against Brazil

BARRHEAD - Neerlandia's Heidi Peters and Canada's Paralympic sitting volleyball team missed out on a bronze medal in a hotly-contested Sept. 4 match and finished fourth at the Toyko Paralympic Games, losing in four sets. 

Brazil took the first set 25-15, but Canada rebounded, taking the second set 26-24, before losing the next two sets 26-24 and 25-14. 

Peters, Canada's top point-getter for the tournament, led the team with 14 points. 

The team's fourth-place finish improved their result from Rio 2016, where the team made its Paralympic debut, where they finished seventh. 

Also on the Canadian sitting volleyball team is Amber Skyrpan from Wandering River in Athabasca County. 

The evening before the bronze medal game, Peters e-mailed the Barrhead Leader

"This experience has been awesome so far. The Japanese people have welcomed us so well from our first week in Shiwa, especially all the Tokyo volunteers once we entered the village," she said. "I’m so proud to be here, proud of how we’ve competed so far, and I am ready to fight for a bronze medal this afternoon vs Brazil. It’s gonna be a battle!" 

As Peters stated, going into the bronze-medal game Canada knew they would have their hands full. Going into the event, Brazil was ranked third in the world, while Canada ranked fifth. They also had a preview of how strong the Brazilian team was in their first game of the tournament Aug. 27. After taking the first set 25-21, Canada lost the next two 26-24 and 25-20, then rebounded, winning the fourth set 29-27, before losing the deciding set 17-15. Peters ended the game leading the Canadians with 21 points. 

Canada then went on to face the Italians two days later, earning their first win. 

Peters was once again the team's top scorer with 34 points. 

The Canadians would then improve their record defeating Japan in a Sept. 1 match, winning in three-straight sets, 25-19, 25-15 and 25-20. 

Peters again led the offence with 20 points. 

On Sept. 3, Canada faced China in the semifinal to determine who would go on to play in the gold medal game. Unfortunately, although it was competitive, China defeated the Canadians in three sets. 

China went into the Paralympics ranked second in the world behind the United States.

Barry Kerton, TownandCountryToday.com


Barry Kerton

About the Author: Barry Kerton

Barry Kerton is the managing editor of the Barrhead Leader, joining the paper in 2014. He covers news, municipal politics and sports.
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