(Submitted photo/Julie Kozun)

By Ben Tompkins

Sitting Volleyball

Kozun, Team Canada win opening game at Paralympic Games

Aug 30, 2024 | 10:54 AM

The Canadian Women’s Sitting Volleyball team began their Paralympic Journey earlier today with a dominant victory.

Starting at 10 a.m. Sask Time, Thursday morning, the Canucks led Team Slovenia every step of the way, earning a win in straight sets.

A big part of the opening victory was Melfort native, Julie Kozun.

Kozun, who lost part of her leg in a lawnmowing accident back in high school, is participating in her second career Paralympic Games.

Kozun was a member of the 2020 Paralympic team in Tokyo, back in 2021 (postponed due to COVID) with Team Canada earning a fourth-place finish.

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The Canadians, who are looking to get on the podium this year, started off just how they wanted, with a 25-11 victory in set one, a 25-21 win in set two, and a 25-12 third-set victory to close it out.

Canada seemed to use the crowd to their advantage, as there was considerable amounts of cheers coming from many fans dressed in Red and White.

For those players who played in Tokyo, such as Kozun, this is a much different experience as no spectators were allowed, due to the Pandemic.

Kozun has plenty of friends and family with her in Paris, France, who are hoping to be there till the end, supporting at the gold medal match.

And while the ladies doning the Maple Leaf are perfect so far, they still have two round-robin games remaining.

The Canadians will face Brazil and Rwanda during their two remaining pool games, with the top two from each (Pool A and B) advancing to the playoff rounds.

Canada will play again on Saturday at 12 p.m. Sask time and on Monday at 10 a.m. Sask Time.

Brazil played Rwanda on Thursday as well, with the Brazilians also earning a 3-0, straight-set victory.

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Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com

On X @BenTompkins_8