Edmonton will host men’s volleyball Olympic qualifying tournament

EDMONTON – Canada’s men’s volleyball team will have home-court advantage in its quest for a spot in the Rio Olympics.

Edmonton has been chosen as host of the NORCECA Continental Olympic qualifying tournament in January. The winner earns a berth in next summer’s Rio Olympics.

“We are eager to again showcase international volleyball on home soil, and most importantly our goal is to secure a berth in the 2016 Olympic Games for the first time since 1992,” Canadian men’s coach Glenn Hoag said in a statement.

Canada, Cuba, Mexico and Puerto Rico have earned spots in the qualifier. Canada, No. 10 on the FIVB world rankings, won the pre-qualification event in Mexico in October. Cuba is ranked 15th, Puerto Rico is 22nd and Mexico is 24th.

Out of the NORCECA — North, Central America and Caribbean — countries, only the U.S. has qualified for Rio as winners of the 2015 World Cup.

The tournament is Jan. 8-10 at the Saville Community Sport Centre.

Edmonton hosted a World Cup warmup event earlier this year that saw Canada face Brazil in two friendlies.