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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFILE \u2014 LA28 logos decorate a backdrop as First lady Jill Biden speaks at a reception at the U.S. Chief of Mission Residence to commemorate the opening of the 2024 Summer Olympics and celebrate the upcoming 2028 Olympic Games, to be held in Los Angeles, Saturday, July 27, 2024, in Paris. (AP Photo\/David Goldman, File)<\/p>\n
It\u2019s Canada\u2019s fourth appearance at the Olympics and first since 1996. Canada tied for ninth at the 1996 Atlanta Games.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think I can put it into words how this feels,\u201d said Alexa Gray, who was on the team when it attempted to qualify for the 2024 Games. \u201cI started on the National Team in 2017, and this has been my lifelong dream. We\u2019ve just come so far since that time.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were so, so close last quad and we were heartbroken. I\u2019m just so proud of how we came out today; it was a tough environment, but this team means everything to me and I\u2019m just so happy to represent Canada. So overjoyed!\u201d<\/p>\n
Gray and opposite Kiera Van Ryk led Canada\u2019s scoring effort with 22 points apiece. Dominican Republic put on a fight in front of their home crowd, but Canada led in attack points 56-40, blocks 8-7 and aces 8-3. Canada, however, gave away more points to errors (27-23).<\/p>\n
Veteran setter Brie Fransen recognized the hard work by the team: \u201cIt\u2019s so surreal. I\u2019m so proud of the team and staff of how much we have battled through. We deserve this and it\u2019s such an amazing feeling to feel the reward of all the work.\u201d<\/p>\n
Before securing an Olympic berth, Canada captured its first-ever NORCECA Continental Championship, defeating the Americans in Wednesday\u2019s final.\u00a0<\/p>\n