July 05, 2023: Canada’s men’s team kicked off its third and final phase of Volleyball Nations League in Pasay City, Philippines, on Wednesday.
Canada played Netherlands to a 1-3 loss (22-25, 22-25, 25-17, 18-25) today. While Canada capitalized on an error-prone Netherlands (29-17), the European team led in attack points (62-47) and slightly led Canada in service aces and blocking points. Stats here.
Dutch opposite Nimir Abdel-Aziz led all scorers with 24 points (22 attack points; 2 aces); while Ryan Sclater led Canada with 20 (18 on attack, 2 aces).
“It’s not an easy moment for us, as there is pressure. We are playing well, but not with consistency, and especially at the end of sets, we lack in confidence and that is what we have to find,” says Canada’s head coach Tuomas Sammelvuo.
“It’s all in our hands. We have three very important games coming up and so we’re just focused on trying to improve and to achieve the results we need to stay in VNL. We all know now that is our goal.”
Netherlands is fighting for a spot in the top eight to advance to the quarterfinals. Canada has two wins so far in VNL and is working toward maintaining a spot in next year’s tournament.
Along with the Netherlands, Canada faces Italy (July 6), Poland and China this week. There were no roster changes between weeks two and three for Team Canada.
Full schedule is here:
https://en.volleyballworld.com/volleyball/competitions/vnl-2023/schedule/
Standings: https://en.volleyballworld.com/volleyball/competitions/vnl-2023/standings/men/
Matches are streamed online at www.cbcsports.ca
Canada’s week 3 men’s roster:
1 – Pearson Eshenko, Banff, AB
2 – Luke Herr, Winnipeg, MB
4 – Nicholas Hoag, Sherbrooke, QC
5 – Brodie Hofer, Langley, BC
6 – Danny Demyanenko, Toronto, ON
7 – Stephen Maar, Aurora, ON
8 – Brett Walsh, Calgary, AB
10 – Ryan Sclater, Port Coquitlam, BC
12 – Lucas Van Berkel, Edmonton, AB
13 – Samuel Cooper, Hamilton, ON
14 – Arthur Szwarc. Toronto, ON
18 – Justin Lui, Pickering, ON
97 – Landon Currie, Vernon, BC
99 – Mathias Elser, Calgary, AB
Results week 3:
CAN – NED 1-3 (22-25, 22-25, 25-17, 18-25)
Results week 2:
JPN – CAN 3-1 (25-22, 25-17, 24-26, 25-14)
SLO – CAN 3-0 (25-23, 25-22, 25-14)
CAN – BUL 3-1 (22-25, 25-23, 25-22, 25-20)
CAN – FRA 0-3 (17-25, 21-25, 21-25)
Results week 1
CAN – CUB 3-2 (25-21, 26-28, 25-21, 22-25, 15-13)
CAN – ARG 1-3 (21-25, 25-21, 21-25,16-25)
CAN – USA 0-3 (22-25, 20-25, 20-25)
CAN – GER 1-3 (25-20, 17-25, 21-25, 21-25)
Photo: VolleyballWorld
Volleyball Canada Media Contact:
Jackie Skender
jskender@volleyball.ca
Mobile: 613-794-7676
