June 29, 2023: Canada came out on top of a huge five-set battle with volleyball powerhouse Brazil today in Thailand.
It was Brazil 2 Canada 3 (30-28, 22-25, 23-25, 25-21,15-17) in an overtime match, with underdog Canada showing composure under pressure during this women’s phase 3 match of Volleyball Nations League.
“This is a big win for the team and the program as a whole,” explains head coach Shannon Winzer. “The athletes worked really hard for this, and we showed once again that we can compete with the top teams in the world. Brazil is a very tough team and played exceptional defense in the 4th and 5th set but our attackers stayed relaxed and patient. It was an all-around good game sustaining high level of play for all five sets. I’m very proud of this team.”
Brazil led in attack (75-64) and service points (4-3), but Canada out blocked Brazil 21-13 (with 8 of those from Canada’s Emily Maglio) as well as made fewer errors (29-23). Canada’s Alexa Gray (Calgary) led all scorers with 25 points.
“We came in believing we were going to win,” said middle blocker Jazmine White, in the post-match interview with VBTV. “Our game plan was good and we were just hungry… This whole week is really important for us. Right now we are going to celebrate this win and then get some rest, but the next two games are also super important and we’re going into those games with the same fire!”
Canada plays Italy on Friday and Netherlands on July 01 to close out the third and final preliminary phase in Thailand.
Brazil, reigning Olympic silver medalists, has seven VNL wins so far; this is Canada’s fifth win.
Teams are vying for a spot in the quarterfinals (top 8):
https://en.volleyballworld.com/volleyball/competitions/vnl-2023/standings/women/
Week 3 Results (Thailand):
Croatia v. Canada 0-3 (21-25, 21-25, 26-28)
Brazil v. Canada 2-3 (30-28, 22-25, 23-25, 25-21,15-17)
Week 2 Results (Hong Kong)
China v. Canada 3-0 (25-14, 25-18, 29-27)
Bulgaria v. Canada 0-3 (15-25, 13-25, 15-25)
Türkiye v Canada 3-0 (25-15, 25-22, 25-20)
Dominican Rep. v Canada 3-2 (22-25, 25-13, 25-17, 23-25, 15-10)
Week 1 Results (Türkiye)
Poland v. Canada 3-2 (20-25, 25-23, 20-25, 25-23, 15-13)
Canada v. Thailand 0-3 (17-25, 24-26, 21-25)
Canada v. Korea 3-0 (25-17, 25-16, 25-18)
Canada v. Serbia 3-2 (18-25, 28-26, 25-23, 18-25, 15-12)
VNL 2023 is played based on the same competition formula as in 2022, featuring 16 teams per gender. A total of 104 matches per gender will be played across the preliminary and final phases, with every team playing a minimum of 12 matches.
For more on the competition formula:
https://en.volleyballworld.com/volleyball/competitions/vnl-2023/competition/formula
Matches are featured on Volleyball World TV and in Canada at www.cbcsports.ca
VNL Women’s Roster Week 3:
3 – Kiera Van Ryk, Surrey, BC
5 – Julia Murmann, Toronto, ON
6 – Jazmine White, Oshawa, ON
7 – Layne Van Buskirk, Windsor, ON
8 – Alicia Ogoms, Winnipeg, MB
9 – Alexa Gray, Calgary, AB
11 – Andrea Mitrovic, Mississauga, ON
13 – Brie King, Langley, BC
14 – Hilary Howe, Calgary, AB
15 – Shaïnah Joseph, Ottawa, ON
16 – Caroline Livingston, Kelowna, BC
17 – Kacey Jost, St. Albert, AB
19 – Emily Maglio, Coquitlam, B.C.
26 – Quinn Pelland, Wanham, AB
Staff:
Shannon Winzer – Head coach
Vincenzo Mallia – Assistant coach
Matt Krueger – Assistant coach
Gabriele Tortorici – Performance analyst
Kevin Valcke and Hilary Mallinger – Physiotherapists
Jennah Paron – Team Coordinator
Robert Hooper – Trainer (Strength & Conditioning)
Roger Friesen – Mental Performance Coach
Photo: VolleyballWorld
Volleyball Canada Media Contact:
Jackie Skender
jskender@volleyball.ca
Mobile: 613-794-7676
